The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Cussy Carter is riding her mule up the mountain, laden with books.  She’s part of the Packhorse Librarian project for the WPA in the Kentucky hills.  This program isn’t popular with every person in the community though – some people look at WPA programs like handouts and these proud people don’t take handouts.  However, Cussy isn’t popular with the people here for a reason she can’t even help – her blue skin.  Cussy and her family are some of the last blue-skinned people found in the Appalachian Mountains.  Considered “colored” by her neighbors, she’s treated as a second-class citizen.  But on her route as The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Cussy learns the value of friendship, acceptance, and being seen for more than what’s only skin-deep.

Kim Michele Richardson’s take on the culture and challenges of life in the Kentucky hills in the 1930’s shows how rampant colorism and racism can be, even in poverty-stricken areas.  This book is an important read for the medical and government “help” agencies, showing the difficulties the “good” things given to underprivileged citizens can cause.  Richardson’s writing also shines the light on the closeness and bond of the mining communities still prevalent today throughout the country.

I give The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek 4 out of 5 stars.  I enjoyed the plot and storyline of Cussy’s work as a Packhorse Librarian – it allowed for the inclusion of a host of characters we might not have seen in the book otherwise.  However, the use of vernacular and the voice of the characters was difficult to move past at first.  The heavy use of incorrect grammar or words made the reading less enjoyable for me.  I do appreciate the attempt at staying authentic to the characters, but it was more of a distraction for me than a help.

This is a great book for readers looking to learn more about the Packhorse Librarian program or Appalachian life in the area.  With references to discrimination, racism, sexual assault, and physical violence, this book may not be suited for readers under the age of 13.  I would also caution readers who may be sensitive to death of the young or maternal. 

I chose The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek for the Booklist Queen Reading Challenge prompt “set in the 1930’s”.  I have actually owned this one for quite a while, but hadn’t made it to reading it yet.  I picked this up after reading another similar book by Jojo Moyes earlier this year – The Giver of the Stars.  While the heroines of both stories face a litany of challenges to doing the job they love, those challenges are very different.  If you liked Moyes’ book, I think you’ll enjoy this one as well!

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What I’m Reading

• Current print book: You Matter, Matthew Emerzian
• Current audio book: Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng
• Book I’m most looking forward to: Angels & Demons, Dan Brown