The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel

I am a curious reader of Appalachian tales and history. This book magnificently captures a time not all that well known to the average reader. The story unfolds with interesting detail, the characters are readily imaginable, and ultimately the goal of The Horse Woman is incredible. Read this book - you will be moved and you will learn something factual in the history of the region. This is a good read as it touches on so many topics so if you are a narrow-minded reader, you are sure to miss out on the incredible success of this book. From the author's Biography, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is: Dolly Recommended Read, People Magazine, a 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, a 2019 Forbes Best Historical Novel, 2020 PBS Readers Choice, an Oprah's Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow’s Translation of the Year. It was inspired by the factual "blue people" of Kentucky, and the fierce, brave Packhorse Librarians who used the power of literacy to overcome bigotry, and fear during the Great Depression. Well researched, meaningful, touching, and challenges the reader to dig in. This is a treasure.

Story was very well written. This book covered so many different controversial topics/subject, but weaving into a captivating and emotional story. Very good read.

Thoughtful historical fiction that shines a light on the Book Women of FDR’s WPA Set in the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains during the mid-1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a moving and informative work of historical fiction told in the first person from the perspective of Cussy Mary Carter—often referred to as Bluet. Cussy is a young Pack Horse Librarian working for Franklin D. Roosevelt’s WPA (Works Progress Administration), delivering books by mule to remote families and schools with no access to libraries. Through patience, persistence, and a genuine love of books, she slowly earns the trust of her community and grows her circle of patrons over time. Cussy also lives with a rare genetic condition, making her the target of fear and prejudice among many townspeople. This aspect of the story adds an emotional layer, as those who judge and mistrust her are often the same people who eagerly await the books she brings. The cast of characters is well developed and multilayered—readers will find themselves rooting for Cussy while feeling frustrated by others. The novel is clearly well researched and does an admirable job highlighting a lesser-known New Deal program and the women behind it. Particularly interesting were the details of what the job entailed, including the creation of handmade scrapbooks filled with recipes, cleaning tips, and sewing patterns shared among mountain families. While the pacing occasionally slows, this is still an engaging and worthwhile read. With its strong female lead, rich historical context, and emphasis on the power of books to foster connection, this novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction looking for a story rooted in resilience, compassion, and community.

I know a book is fantastic when I realize I'm getting towards the end and I wish there was lots more to go. That's what happened with The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek. I read this one on my Kindle. When I notice I was at about 80% I let out an anquished, "Nooooooooo!" When I reached the end, my reaction became, "Darn! It's over." These are the signs of one seriously good book! The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek had me hooked for several reasons. The characters were fascinating and had great depth to them. The amount of dialect was just right - enough to give the flavor of the time and place, but not so much as to overwhelm. Even Junia, the main character's mule, was a superbly drawn character. The pacing was great. Every time it seemed as though things were going to be okay for Cussy Mary, bam!, something unexpected happens. Author Kim Michele Richardson did a marvelous job of lulling the reader into a short-lived false sense of security then hitting with something you didn't see coming. One of my favorite things about this book was how much I learned of a time, place, and people of which I previously knew little. The story is set in the Appalachian section of Kentucky during the Depression with all the hollers and hidey-holes where the hill folk lived in almost utter isolation and gut-wrenching poverty. The main character, Cussy Mary, is a pack horse librarian working for the WPA bringing library books to the people living in those isolated places in the hills. These folks often lived in spots extremely difficult to reach, but, like all the real-life pack horse librarians, Cussy Mary had the grit and dedication to always complete her route. She also had a powerful love of books, reading, and learning and an overwhelming desire to share that with others who hungered for it as much as they did for food, which was seemingly in even shorter supply than the books. Besides the unusual and interesting tale of a pack horse librarian, the book offers a unique twist in that Cussy Mary is a "Blue", meaning she has a genetic disorder called methemoglobinemia causing her skin to be blue. When she becomes agitated, afraid, joyful, or experiences any other strong emotion her color turns an even deeper shade of blue. This was a real condition, suffered by some real people in Appalachian Kentucky. However, I had never heard of it before reading this book. Sadly, it is all too true that the "Blue people" were fiercely discriminated against by most white citizens in the same way as were African Americans. They were looked down upon and treated as pariahs. Despite this, Cussy Mary, or Bluet, as she was often called, fights her way into a strong sense of self that can eventually withstand their bigotry. Fortunately, most of her library patrons love her, refer to her as "Book Woman", and treat her with great respect. I was captivated by the characters in this book as well as the story itself. It's one of the best books I've read this year. Highly recommended!

Very good read! I loved how the story was based on true events and people and I totally fell in love with the hero and heroine. I bought the follow up book, The Book Woman's Daughter, and it was just as enjoyable. Got some good reading recommendations out of both, and the references of books I've already read reminded me how much I love reading and how important literature truly is.

I had seen pictures of these " blue people " but never knew anything about them. this was educational as well as a very good read

ローズベルト大統領は導入した Kentucky Pack Horse Library Projectは、アパラチア山脈の極貧の人々に本と希望を与えた。主人公のCussy Mary Carterは「肌が青い」ためBluetと呼ばれ、ひどい差別を受けているが、人間としてのやさしさを失うことなく、この制度の下で本を人々に届けるbook womanの仕事を与えられ、賃金を得る。しかし、炭鉱夫の彼女の父は、過酷な職場で珪肺病にかかっているだけでなく、秘密の組合活動が会社に見つかれば殺されてしまうことを恐れ、Cussyの将来を守ろうと無理矢理に結婚させようとする。 一方、医師としてCussyに興味を持って調査をしたDoc は、彼女の症状はヘモグロビンに異常を起こす非常に稀な遺伝病で、療法もあることを発見し、差別する人々にその事実を告げる。にもかかわらず、黒人と同じcoloredとしてひどい差別が変わらないことに、ほんとうにびっくりした。しかし、原因は異なるがハンセン病患者に対するひどい差別を考えれば、恐怖を根底とする偏見が人間を残酷にすることを改めて理解したと感じる。 歴史小説と紹介されていたのに、史実に基づいた話であることがピンとこないで、途中でウィキペディアを調べたりした。Cussyが大変不幸になるのではとハラハラしながら読んだ。そこまではいかなかい結末で、これを甘いと考える人もいるかもしれないが、私はほっとした。これは1巻目で、2巻目は同じくBlueでCussyの養女となるHoney Lovetteの話というので、買い込んだ。

Me encanto

A heart warming and sometimes tragic story of a "blue" woman of Troublesome Creek. I was gripped from start to finish. Many tears, both sad and happy. A very interesting story of how "blue" people were treated in Kentucky and about the pack horse library service. Highly recommended.

*4.5* stars. This was a powerful, beautifully written book which enthralled me and transported me to an unfamiliar place and time. Life was hard in the Appalachia’s isolated. homes in the regions’ hills and valleys. During the Economic depression and later, the laws in Kentucky upheld racial segregation and marriage or cohabitation between people of different races was forbidden. Poverty was prevalent. Hunger, sickness, and starvation were widespread. Many who were ill or with life-threatening injuries could not afford medical care, often resorting to folk remedies. Many held superstitious beliefs. Coal miners were exploited, overworked long hours under dangerous conditions and were indebted to the company store. In the early 1800s, a man from France settled in the Appalachian hills near Troublesome Creek. He married, and they were unaware they both carried a recessive gene which caused a rare blood disorder. This genetic condition resulted in brown blood and blue skin and nails. In such an isolated area, marriage among relatives occurred and children were born with this genetic defect. This resulted in what is known as the Blue People of Kentucky. Segregation laws which applied to Blacks also discriminated against people with Blue Skin and they were categorized as Coloured. Life was a struggle for poor white people, but even more difficult for those classified as Coloured. In 1935 the Government established the Pack Horse Librarians which employed mostly single women. Donated books, old magazines, farm journals were carried by Book Women to remote homes. They also repaired donated books and made scrapbooks containing recipes, dress patterns, articles on hunting, fishing, farming, hygiene, and comic strips. The trails the women travelled on their book rounds were long and formidable. The Book Women rode horses, mules, travelled by boat or on foot for many miles through rugged landscapes to bring books to the downtrodden, sick and discouraged people as well as a few tiny schools and isolated shacks. Most people were delighted to receive a visit and books brought by Book Women, and valued the stories and yearned to become literate. Cussy, also called Bluet, was one of the Book Women who rode a mule through hills and valleys, along treacherous mountain ridges, and through streams. Sometimes she was shunned due to her blue skin, and women at her workplace treated her with prejudice and scorn. Some thought her colour was a sign of evil spirits or avoided touching her fearing that her condition might be contagious. However, Cussy was proud of her work with the Pack Horse Librarians, and some of her clients were excited to receive a loan of a book or magazine and welcomed her as a friend. She was earning $28 a month with which she supported herself and her father, an overworked coal miner. The book establishes a vivid sense of place and characters. The dialogue seemed authentic for the time and place. The peoples’ meagre diets, struggles, living conditions were well described. Courting customs, superstitions, and folk remedies were fascinating. Recommended!