In 1936, deep in the woods of eastern Kentucky, lives Cussy Carter, a 19-year-old member of the historical Pack Horse Library Project, who is also known as a Blue due to her blue skin. The book follows Cussy's journey as she delivers books to the impoverished hill people of Eastern Kentucky, facing prejudices and challenges along the way. The novel sheds light on race, poverty, and the love of literature, offering a unique perspective on what it means to be an outcast in society.

The story is told in the first person by Cussy, also known as Bluet, as she navigates through the challenges of being a pack horse librarian, dealing with poverty, hunger, and the coal mining industry in the mountains of Kentucky. The book delves into the historical context of the Pack Horse Librarians and the Blue People, intertwining their stories to create a compelling narrative that explores themes of prejudice, poverty, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and evoke strong emotions, from empathy for Cussy's struggles to frustration with societal prejudices.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is descriptive and lyrical, effectively conveying the struggles of the characters and the setting of rural Kentucky.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Cussy Mary and her dual challenges of being a librarian and facing discrimination as a Blue person in 1930s Kentucky, highlighting themes of resilience and community.

Setting:

The story is set in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky during the 1930s, highlighting the challenges of rural life amidst the Great Depression.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with a slow start that builds into more intense moments, but the conclusion feels rushed.

Satisfied, Pa carried it out of our one-room log house and onto the hand-hewn porch. He was hopeful. Hoping 1936 was the year his only daughter, nineteen-year-old Cussy Mary Carter, would get herself ...

Notes:

The story is set in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky during the Great Depression, specifically in the year 1936.

Cussy Mary Carter, also known as Bluet, is a librarian who delivers books through the Pack Horse Library Project.

Cussy and her father are part of a group known as the Blues, who have a genetic condition that causes their skin to appear blue.

The book explores themes of racism and discrimination, as Cussy faces prejudice not just due to her skin color but also as a woman in a male-dominated society.

Cussy's father is a coal miner suffering from black lung disease, reflecting the harsh working conditions of miners in this era.

The novel touches on the significance of books and literacy in impoverished communities and the joy they bring to the recipients of Cussy's deliveries.

Cussy's role as a librarian serves as a lifeline for many people in the rural areas, providing them with knowledge and a connection to the outside world.

The author did extensive research on Appalachian life and the real historical characters involved in the Pack Horse Library Project.

The character of Cussy is depicted as resilient and compassionate, often putting the needs of her patrons before her own.

Controversy arose between this book and Jojo Moyes' 'The Giver of Stars', as both novels cover similar themes and settings, leading to discussions about originality in literature.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers to be aware of include depictions of racism, poverty, verbal abuse, physical assault, and other forms of violence that Cussy experiences throughout her journey.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the story, focusing on Cussy's relationship with Jackson Lovett, which develops amidst the challenges she faces.

From The Publisher:

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER

A LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER

AN OKRA PICK

The bestselling historical fiction from Kim Michele Richardson, this is a novel following Cussy Mary, a packhorse librarian and her quest to bring books to the Appalachian community she loves, perfect for readers of Lee Smith and Lisa Wingate. The perfect addition to your next book club

The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything-everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt's Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome's got its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary Carter.

Cussy's not only a book woman, however, she's also the last of her kind, her skin a shade of blue unlike most anyone else. Not everyone is keen on Cussy's family or the Library Project, and a Blue is often blamed for any whiff of trouble. If Cussy wants to bring the joy of books to the hill folks, she's going to have to confront prejudice as old as the Appalachias and suspicion as deep as the holler.

Inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman's belief that books can carry us anywhere-even back home.

This gem of a historical from Richardson features an indomitable heroine navigating a community steeped in racial intolerance...Readers will adore the memorable Cussy and appreciate Richardson's fine rendering of rural Kentucky life. -Publishers Weekly

Other Bestselling Historical Fiction from Sourcebooks Landmark:

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

The Engineer's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

Ratings (44)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (21)
Liked It (13)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (75):

Read It (45)
Want To Read (21)
Not Interested (9)

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The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Kim Michele Richardson

Book 1 in the series:The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek