Simon the Fiddler, Paulette Jiles.
For the first time in a long time, I truly enjoyed a book. Lately, today, every author seems to feel that it is necessary to put in extraneous messages, progressive messages that express their political views. This book has no ulterior motive. It is simply a good book. It is a love story in a time of chaos. It is the story of Simon and Doris, and the accidental meeting which hurls them into their future.
This is a story of love at first sight that cannot be ignored. It is a simpler time, but a more chaotic time. It is 1865. The Civil War has just ended. Simon who had made his living playing his fiddle and had avoided conscription by pretending to be a young boy of about 15, instead of his 23 years, was caught near the end of the war and forced to join the Confederate Army. When the Yankees won, he was taken into custody again, by the other side. When he was told to play his fiddle with an assortment of other men who had also been detained, he was able to organize them into an effective little band. While preparing to perform, he spied a young woman and was smitten on the spot. The young woman, Doris Dillon, was a teenager who had come from Ireland to work for the family of a powerful Union officer. She must remain with the family for three years, a family that proved to be harsh and abusive. Colonel Webb made unwelcome advances to her and limited her freedom. When she spied Simon Boudlin, the fiddler, she was also smitten. Thus begins a journey that will unite these two young lovers pierced by Cupid’s arrow!
Doris traveled to San Antonio, with the Webb family. Simon, who was now possessed of the idea that he must find a way to see Doris again, could think of little else. He was in love. He had escaped from the Yankees with a small group of musicians and they make their way to Galveston, arriving broke, hungry, tired and and in need of work. It seems, however, that music is a sought after commodity and a fiddler is always welcome. Although they were a sad looking group, with little more than their instruments and the clothes on their backs, which were themselves little more than rags, they soon learn to work together, and they find work. They become like brothers, loyal and devoted to each other. How their lives ebb and flow in these turbulent times tells the story. It was a dangerous time with an atmosphere of lawlessness in many cities devastated by the war. Simon’s own family had lost its land and business when the Yankees came and burned their stables to the ground and stole their horses.
Simon’s determination to find Doris, during those tumultuous times, drives him on and is carefully documented. Their ability to communicate is rare and fraught with danger and deception. The postal service is erratic and unreliable. Often people act as messengers, and mail arrives almost by chance. The characters are sincere in their efforts and simple in their ways. They will endear themselves to the reader.
The author’s obvious knowledge of the history and attention to detail and description, illustrates the time period accurately. I read the book slowly because I did not want it to end. Every measured word was necessary and the descriptions of the music and the environment enriched my experience. The historic details illuminated the danger of the times with the war and Indian attacks on the horizon. The novel showed how far someone would go to reunite with their love and what they would risk to keep it. The in-depth exploration of the characters’ range of emotions was sensitive and enlightening. The characters developed slowly, becoming unique and individual, easily recognized. Ultimately, it is a story about a young man who makes his way in the world with one driving purpose, to reconnect with the woman he believes is his soul mate. He will scale mountains, swim seas, and slay dragons to win her heart. It is a lovely story, without the preaching about social issues which is so common in many novels today.

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

Luckily he was conscripted at the very end, and being in the band had allowed him to do a show when the war ended. At the show he saw a girl he couldn’t keep his eyes off of, and a girl he had to ask around about. He made it his job to earn some money and come back for her.

He snuck out of the army compound without discharge papers and headed to the Rio Grande along with his fiddle with hopes of finding Doris.

We follow Simon and three fellow musicians as they make their way in a boat to San Antonio.

When they landed, they had to hide from patrols and find lodging and work. They thankfully found lodging in an abandoned home and found work at different functions and saloons.

They had adventures, and Simon still never forgot about Doris Dillon.

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

I actually was disappointed since I loved NEWS OF THE WORLD, and was looking for a character to love like Captain Kidd.

If you have time to read beautiful, detailed descriptions and also learn about music, SIMON THE FIDDLER will be a book for you.

This book was not a favorite for me. It dragged and only became interesting in the last 10% of the book. It actually was a struggle to continue reading. 3/5

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.