How did the title of the novel fit into the novel's narrative? Did the title suit the novel?

I loved how the title carried so much significance. Captain Kidd curated his readings very carefully, selecting stories based on the communities in which he was reading. He was truly a reader, in multiple senses. He could read the newspapers, but more importantly, he could read the people.

Sometimes when on vacation, I choose to ignore the news of the world. It can be a harsh reality at a time when I just want to relax. As they say, ignorance is bliss. This novel opens our eyes to the harsh realities of that time, gives us opportunity to consider all the tensions underlying Kidd and Johanna's story, and to perhaps discuss tensions extant today.

I liked the title very much and thought it was very appropriate. It not only describes what the main character does as a job, but it also tells us what the book becomes for the reader. It tells the news of a world that no longer exists, but also that relationships are timeless and often less news worthy. So many people still fruitlessly seek their 15 minutes of fame not realizing that the best news comes from the people around them.

It was the perfect title for the book. It was Captain Kidd's job, but also a glimpse into that time and world for the reader. The author could not have picked a better title.

While the title describes Captain Kidd's job in a single phrase, I wonder if it wasn't just a little bit ironic. The "news of the world" he shares with his audiences is carefully curated in advance of the readings to blend the exotic with the current events news. in effect, he tailors the news to the audience, and intentionally on occasion leaves out anything that will inflame the audience. Sometimes I wish I had a Captain Kidd to curate my news. I also agree with flute4u that the book carries news to us of a world that no longer exists. The title suits the novel quite well.

The title definitely fits the book, and I am amazed that I had never really thought about the need for Captain Kidd's type of job prior to reading this book. Equally amazing is how tradition of editing the news to fit the sentiments of the audience still goes on today.

The title encompassed not only what was happening in world history during this time period but covered the relationship of Johanna and Capt. Kidd which was news as well.

I thought it was a great title for this story. It was 'new of the world' that Kidd spread as he roamed the countryside reading his newspapers.

Initially I was not keen on this title. There used to be a paper published in the UK called the News of the World and it was shut down in scandal in 2011. So before I read this novel, that is what the title conjured up for me and that certainly doesn't fit with this excellent novel!

Having read it, I see the title works on several levels. Yes, there is Kidd's job. Yes, there is the information that this is bringing to a modern day reader about a time that I for one knew next to nothing about. There is also the very relevant theme that the news is edited and curated - in the current era of so-called 'fake news' I think we are all questioning our news sources (or if we are not, we should be).

Doris makes the point that even at the time, the story of child captives was a hidden one. Then, as now, the news was not reliable. I liked this bit:
"And the newspapers, they say nothing about this at all or about the poor at all, Doris said. There are great holes in your newspapers. Nobody sees them. God sees them."