Who Would Like This Book:
If you love hidden corners of history, strong-willed underdog heroines, and stories about the power of books, this one’s for you. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek transports you to 1930s Kentucky, illuminating the extraordinary real-life Pack Horse Librarians and the little-known Blue People. It’s a beautifully researched blend of fact and fiction with a main character, Cussy Mary, who steals your heart as she braves bigotry and poverty to deliver books (and hope) to isolated mountain folk. Historical fiction enthusiasts, book lovers, Appalachian history buffs, and anyone who enjoys stories of resilience and quiet heroism will be drawn in.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the pacing slow - especially at the start - and thought the plot occasionally lacked focus or was a bit too episodic. There are definitely heavy themes: racism, violence, misogyny, and poverty feature strongly, which can make this a tough and occasionally bleak read. Others found the writing style sentimental or wished for more nuanced secondary characters. If you’re hoping for a light, uplifting journey or need a perfectly tied-up ending, you might not connect with this novel.
About:
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.
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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 (78)
Incredible (10) | |
Loved It (35) | |
Liked It (23) | |
It Was OK (6) | |
Did Not Like (4) |
Reader Stats (141):
Read It (83) | |
Want To Read (45) | |
Not Interested (13) |
2 comment(s)
a love letter to books, kentucky, and people who were wronged.
Such a heartbreaking, beautiful story. I have heard of the Blues my whole life, being born and raised in Kentucky. It's horrible what these people had to go through and horrible the way humans treat anything with "peculiarity".
Loved how the story came together. Very much enjoyed how these people used books to escape.( I do that)
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