The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele RichardsonMy rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
This book grabbed my heart. It also broke it many times, but in the end was healed. I had no idea there were Blue People of Kentucky, nor about the Pack Horse Library Project as part of the WPA in during the depression. This is one of the great things about historical fiction, providing information while giving you a great story as well. The author's note in the end was very much appreciated.
The main character, Cussy Mary also nicknamed Bluet was such a strong woman, particularly for the age during the Great Depression. She was one of those librarians, although on a mule, delivering books to people in areas where it's nearly impossible to regularly get to a library themselves. There seemed to be no wrong in her and she put up with so much from the men and town around her, most of it just because of her skin color showing blue.
A woman dedicated to bringing books to the people who can't get to a library, what is not to love? There is so much in this story, mining, women without agency, people of color, poverty, and in the end some romance too. This is a poignant tale, and recommended.
I listened to the audiobook from my local library and the narration added to the story. The narrator had just the right inflection and expression that increased my enjoyment and placement in the story.
Book rating: 4.5 stars
P.S. I recently found out about another book that covers the same topic: the Pack Horse Project in Kentucky. This book, The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, will likely get much more attention as being written by a better known author. I also saw that there already is a movie option being talked about from her book. I hope to read Moyes book as well, but hope people will also give this one a read.
No comments:
Post a Comment