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Simon the Fiddler
Simon the Fiddler: A Novel | Paulette Jiles
40 posts | 31 read | 16 to read
The critically acclaimed, bestselling author of News of the World and Enemy Women returns to Texas in this atmospheric story, set at the end of the Civil War, about an itinerant fiddle player, a ragtag band of musicians with whom he travels trying to make a living, and the charming young Irish lass who steals his heart. In March 1865, the long and bitter War between the States is winding down. Till now, twenty-three-year-old Simon Boudlin has evaded military duty thanks to his slight stature, youthful appearance, and utter lack of compunction about bending the truth. But following a barroom brawl in Victoria, Texas, Simon finds himself conscripted, however belatedly, into the Confederate Army. Luckily his talent with a fiddle gets him a comparatively easy position in a regimental band. Weeks later, on the eve of the Confederate surrender, Simon and his bandmates are called to play for officers and their families from both sides of the conflict. There the quick-thinking, audacious fiddler cant help but notice the lovely Doris Mary Aherne, an indentured girl from Ireland, who is governess to a Union colonels daughter. After the surrender, Simon and Doris go their separate ways. He will travel around Texas seeking fame and fortune as a musician. She must accompany the colonels family to finish her three years of service. But Simon cannot forget the fair Irish maiden, and vows that someday he will find her again. Incandescent in its beauty, told in Paulette Jiless trademark spare yet lilting style, Simon the Fiddler is a captivating, bittersweet tale of the chances a devoted man will take, and the lengths he will go to fulfill his hearts yearning.
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Jen2
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Pickpick

Good story

Crazeedi I enjoyed this 1mo
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Susanita
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📘The Japanese Lover
🖊️Paulette Jiles
📽️Jerry Maguire
🎤Juanes
🎶Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen)
#manicmonday #letterJ

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Adventures-of-a-French-Reader
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Mehso-so

So-so (3/5)

I enjoyed some of the writing about nature and music, as well as some of the plot, but I must admit having had difficulty entering into the story and connecting with the characters... Quite on the fence on this one.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Mehso-so

This was an alright story…. Nowhere near as good as News of the World (tho Capt Kidd makes a quick appearance). Very atmospheric and slow paced…. Excellent narrator on the audio, but my mind drifted at times. Not bad, but not great either.

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Wife
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Pickpick

Slow moving, but in a good way. I listened on a road trip and the pace was right. The author can bring the mood and atmosphere to life. Dating was certainly different in the 1800s - meeting to marriage in 6 letters! Simon was focused and determined, an “all eggs in one basket” kind of guy. I liked him, and the story. 3/5💌s

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Bevita
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Pickpick

Terrific story. I really like this author and her stories about people in the aftermath of the Civil War. This one about a young man from Kentucky, forcibly conscripted, who is intent on marrying an Irish girl who works for a malevolent Captain.

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3DClark3
Pickpick

7.12.21 “Simon the Fiddler had managed to evade the Confederate conscription men because he looked much younger than he was and he did everything he could to further that impression.”

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CaitlinR
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Bailedbailed

I wanted to love this book as much as I loved News of the World. Unfortunately, although the early scenes are interesting, there‘s just not much of a story here.

The premise: the fiddler Simon Boudlin forms a motley crew of musicians who attempt to survive in post civil war Texas. After a single meeting, Simon is obsessed with an Irish governess, Doris, and sets out to become her worthy man of property. Wish there was more “there, there”

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Kboltz
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Pickpick

The civil war is almost ended and Simon finds himself in the mix during one of the last battles in Texas. Texas history mixed in with love and survival. The US was a mess after the civil war and in Texas the new state was just getting started. Great storytelling!

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OutAndAbout
Bailedbailed

Couldn‘t finish it. Too slow and didn‘t care about the characters.

Blueberry Did you read News of the World by the author? 3y
OutAndAbout @Blueberry I did and I loved it. I was so excited to read another so really disappointed that I couldn‘t get into this one. I love her style still so will definitely try another if she writes one. 3y
Kboltz I think if you are aware of Texas and it‘s history this story has a greater meaning. 3y
OutAndAbout @Kboltz maybe. Although I lived in Texas for 12 years including putting a kid through TX history class and multiple historical site visits. Love TX. Just truly didn‘t care about the characters which I‘ve learned is a must for me. Good to see others liked it though. I do love her writing style. 3y
Kboltz @OutAndAbout That happens!😃 3y
20 likes5 comments
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Ellen_C
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Mehso-so

An ok story of westward expansion set in Texas at the end of the Civil War. Simon Boudlin is a fiddle player with dreams of owning land and marrying the Irish indentured servant Doris. His modest means and authority provide obstacles but do not deter him. https://cannonballread.com/2021/01/simon-the-fiddler-a-novel-elcicco/

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Texreader
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From the author of News of the World, ebook on sale. I have this book but haven‘t read it yet.

43 likes1 stack add
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Abailliekaras
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Our latest episode of Books On The Go is up now! Amanda and I discuss this book ... and how much we loved News of the World. 😉 Tune I‘m wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

Kboltz I loved this book. I had to learn about Texas history when I moved down here from Ohio. This book shows the true hardships of the new state and the aftermath of the war. I‘ve been to each town and that makes it come alive! Mission road needs to be seen by everyone...it‘s not just the Alamo. 3y
27 likes1 comment
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Texreader
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Daughter and I visited another bookstore, the Twig, this morning a little further up the road from Nowhere Bookshop and I was able to pick this one up. Signed too!

Bradleygirl 😮😮😮👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
71 likes1 comment
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Abailliekaras
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Bailedbailed

I loved News of the World but didn‘t connect with this one unfortunately. Simon is a fiddler who decides after seeing Doris (demure, beautiful) at a show that he‘s in love & chases after her. Nothing about that excited me (especially the cliched male point of view), there was no tension as he doesn‘t know Doris, much less have a relationship with her, & the prose which I loved in News was blousy in this one. Fine but not worth finishing.

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VeganCleopatra
Panpan

#ReadYourSign #virgo

Prompt 10: Read 75% of book in the early hours. (Apparently fellow virgos are morning people...I am so very not.)

5th of 6 books pledged for #ReadYourSign

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krismlars
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35 likes1 stack add
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krismlars
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44 likes1 stack add
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suvata
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Pickpick

ModernMrsDarcy.com 2020 Summer Reading Guide

At the end of the Civil War, a ragtag team of musicians travel throughout east Texas playing their music to adoring crowds. The group is led by Simon, a Irish fiddle player. Simon catches the eye of an Irish governess who, after the war, leaves the area. Simon vows to find her again. This is a very touching tale and Paulette Jiles is among my favorite historical fiction writers.

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DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

Reviewed on my blog yesterday for a book tour. While I loved News of the World a bit more, there was plenty to love about Simon, a talented fiddler & Civil War avoider until he is conscripted to the Confederate Army. Most of the story takes place after the war as Simon & his bandmates travel Texas & he tries to better himself for a Irish indentured servant he falls for. I paired it with a nod to soldier‘s rations with Hominy & Cornbread. Link👇🏻

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CaitZ
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Pickpick

This is a wonderfully descriptive tale of love, war, and music in post Civil War Texas. I was not quite as invested in the characters here as I was in News of the World. Still I found it enjoyable. I hope there is a sequel sometime. I'm sure Simon and Doris have more stories to tell

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Bethgarvinloflin1
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Mehso-so

This was not my favorite, but it may be for someone. This is based on a romance set at the end of the Civil War.

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Susanita
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In April I wasn‘t as productive as I would have liked. I want to charge through books like Snoopy with bones, but lately I feel more like Charlie Brown with the football. May will be better! I put the tagged book on hold and got it yesterday, much sooner than Libby said I would. I started it last night.
Anyway...
-Hope Never Dies
-The Beautiful Mystery
-Evvie Drake Starts Over
-The Cold Dish
-The Blood Card
-Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
#wrapup

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Lauren.Archer
Panpan

Alas, I am just not a Paulette Jiles fan. I know I am not the norm here, but her stories do not excite me at all. Also, if she talks about the same Texas Landscape again, I am going to pull my hair out. We get it, all the Oaks and other Texas Foliage. I live in Texas and enough is enough.

Abailliekaras I just bailed on this one. After reading ‘How Much of these Hills is Gold‘ & Bluebird, Bluebird which tell fresh western / Texas stories, this bored me. 4y
48 likes1 comment
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BookNAround
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Pickpick

I highly recommend both this book and News of the World as they are set in the same time and many of the same places. Simon, a reluctant Confederate vet, falls for a young woman serving her indenture out in a Union officer‘s house after the war and determines to buy land and marry her, giving himself a quest to fulfill over the course of the story. Full review at https://booknaround.blogspot.com/2020/04/review-simon-fiddler-by-paulette-jiles....

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Texreader
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https://bookmarks.reviews/paulette-jiles-on-little-women-all-the-pretty-horses-a...

Now I have some books to look up from her recommendations. I ❤️❤️❤️ News of the World and looking forward to the tagged book.

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DebinHawaii
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The finished Hungarian Mushroom Soup was delicious. I made a few changes to the Food Network copycat recipe from Old Wives‘s Tales—a now closed Portland, OR. Restaurant. This soup was my favorite menu item. I posted it to my food blog before but it was in 2008, my 1st year of blogging & this month makes my 12th blogaversary! 🤗Anyway, the recipe link is👇🏻The tagged book is one of my current reads, I have a book tour for it the week after next.

Cinfhen Wow!!!congrats 12 years!!!! Hope all is well with you & Max 💜 4y
Bookwormjillk 12 years! Wow 🎉🎉🎉 4y
See All 6 Comments
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen We are hanging in there. Hope you & your family are all well. 💜 4y
DebinHawaii @Bookwormjillk Right?! It‘s hard to believe it‘s been that long! 4y
Cinfhen Thanks 😊 Thank God we are all well and in good spirits 🎶 They‘ve begun to ease restrictions so now it‘s adjusting to the new normal... the face mask 😷 4y
70 likes6 comments
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LatrelWhite
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In March 1865, the long and bitter War between the States is winding down. Till now, twenty-three-year-old Simon Boudlin has evaded military duty thanks to his slight stature, youthful appearance, and utter lack of compunction about bending the truth. But following a barroom brawl in Victoria, Texas, Simon finds himself conscripted, however belatedly, into the Confederate Army.

9 likes1 stack add
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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

Having never read anything by the author before, I wasn‘t sure what to expect.

I was invested in Simon‘s story from the first few pages.

This isn‘t a fast paced book until the last few chapters, but the writing is lovely, and I liked Simon‘s determination and spirit. I would absolutely read more by Paulette Jiles!

Texreader I strongly encourage you to read her News of the World. It immediately moved into my top ten books ever read. And she‘s a fellow Texan. 4y
67 likes1 comment
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Soubhiville
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When your book kind of matches your dog 😁🐕. #Sietje

BookishTrish 🤣🤣🤣 4y
valeriegeary Cute! 🥰 4y
tracey38 So cute! 4y
dylanisreading Adorable! 4y
65 likes4 comments
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BookNAround
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Here we have handsome Ozzie modeling mama‘s book. I really liked News of the World so I have high hopes for this one.

AmyG I just got this as ai, too, loved her last book. Please let us know how this is. 4y
86 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Soubhiville
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I‘m about 1/3 through this ARC, and I just realized today is it‘s publication day. I‘m really enjoying it! I haven‘t read anything else by the author, but I have a feeling I‘ll be looking for News of the World after I finish this.

JenlovesJT47 News of the World is a great book! I think they‘re making a movie. 4y
Bklover This sounds like a wonderful story! 4y
charl08 Can't wait to read this one, loved NotW 👍 4y
LeahBergen I loved Enemy Women, too. 👍🏻 4y
71 likes1 stack add4 comments
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intothehallofbooks
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Pickpick

There isn‘t enough space here to adequately describe my feelings. I wrote a full review on Goodreads and my blog. BUT! Did you guys realize Simon was also in News of the World? 🙌🏻

Simon the Fiddler is set in the same world as News: post Civil War Texas. I love that the setting has a wonderful hot, sandy feeling to it. Most of all, I loved the mixed-up feeling the Texans felt immediately after the Civil War ended. Such a hard time. I felt THERE.

intothehallofbooks Many thanks to @WilliamMorrowBooks for sending me this beautiful finished copy in exchange for a review! This was my most anticipated read this season and it was wonderful!! 4y
Ncostell I can‘t wait to read this, I loved News of the World! 4y
33 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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SilversReviews
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Mehso-so

Simon was able to avoid being conscripted during the war between the states, but on one of his events he was caught.

When the war ended, he snuck out of the camp without discharge papers, and Simon and three fellow musicians made their way in a boat to San Antonio.

SIMON THE FIDDLER has Ms. Jiles' excellent writing and beautiful detail, but it was a very slow read.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/sm67ys2

#paulettejiles
@williammorrowbooks

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krismlars
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I‘m a winner! News of the World was magnificent, so I‘ve been waiting for another book from Jiles. Lucky me! Thanks, #goodreads

AmyG Lucky! 🎉 4y
53 likes1 comment
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Soubhiville
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It was nice to find this ARC from LibraryThing‘s Early Reviewers program in my mailbox!

TheAromaofBooks Beautiful cover!! 4y
70 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
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Mehso-so

I LOOOVED this author‘s News of the World. This had a similar feel, but just didn‘t quite hit on all cylinders for me. #arc #Edelweiss

Crazeedi I have the ARC of this too, sad to hear 4y
Abailliekaras I just bailed. Could not continue when I have so many great books waiting for me to read! 4y
78 likes2 comments
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jillrhudy
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Mehso-so

Jiles is a great writer, but there isn't enough of a story here and I struggled to finish. Simon's a fiddler who wants a girl and a piece of land. He gets in trouble with the authorities. He's blah and the girl is blah. “News of the World“ was far better. #arc #Netgalley #western

Full review at https://www.librarything.com/work/23741723/reviews/175683274

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Liberty
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TFW your cats match your current read. 🐈🧡🐈 #readathon

valeriegeary 👏👏👏 4y
Laura317 Ginger cats are my fav! 😻😻 4y
brit91 😻😻😻😻😻😻 4y
95 likes3 comments
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DeweysReadathon
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Less than 7 hours to go! Farrokh and Zevon are keeping me company as I start my next read. 🐈🐈 - @Liberty #readathon