The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek - A Novel by Kim Michele Richardson - 2019

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek - A 

Novel by Kim Michele Richardson - 2019

Along with so many others I love this wonderful book.

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
A LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER
A PBS BOOK PICK

Set in the 1930s up to 1941 in the very impoverished Appalachian region of Kentucky, the novel follows Cussy Mary, a packhorse librarian bringing books, newspapers and magazines to the often struggling to feed their families people of Troublesome Creek.  Through the WPA President Roosevelt the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project brought books and employment to mostly women riding often long difficult routes, Cussy rides a mule you will grow to love.  People were just so thrilled to see “The Book-woman” arrive.  We learn a lot about the lives of those on her route.  Some are kind and gentle, others cruel and dangerous.  

Cussy has a genetic disease which gives her skin a blue tone.  

Many in the very bigoted community reject her as either a witch or a “colored person”.  Her father wants her married before he dies, he is a widower.  She is 18. He bribes a man 30 years older than her who she hates to marry her by a dowry of ten acres.  He dies raping her.  

There is so much in this wonderful book, narrated by Cussy in the dialect of the time.  We see how the greedy coal mine owners are destroying the land, enslaving the people in debts.  Union organizers disappear.  Cussy’s brave father tries to help the miners get more pay and safer conditions. He has the black lung disease.

Cussy loves her work.  It is far more than just a $28.00 a month job. I found it fascinating to learn about the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project.  The minor characters are vividly realized.

The ending is very exciting

I give The Book Woman of Troublesome creek my very highest recommendation.  

“The NEW YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kim Michele Richardson has written five works of historical fiction, and a bestselling memoir, The Unbreakable Child. 

Her latest critically acclaimed novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek  was recommended by Dolly Parton in People’s Magazine and has earned a 2020 PBS Readers Choice, 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, Indie Next, SIBA, Forbes Best Historical Novel, Book-A-Million Best Fiction, and is an Oprah's Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection. It was inspired by the real life, remarkable "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.  The novel is taught widely in high schools and college classrooms.

Her forthcoming fifth novel, The Book Woman’s Daughter is both a stand-alone and sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and will be published May 3, 2022. Kim Michele lives with her family in Kentucky and is the founder of Shy Rabbit.”  From https://www.kimmichelerichardson.com/

I look forward very much to reading The Book Woman’s Daughter 

Mel Ulm