The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson

 

Summary (from the publisher): In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of Troublesome Creek, KY, lives blue-skinned 19-year-old Cussy Carter, the last living female of the rare Blue People ancestry. The lonely young Appalachian woman joins the historical Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and becomes a librarian, riding across slippery creek beds and up treacherous mountains on her faithful mule to deliver books and other reading material to the impoverished hill people of Eastern Kentucky.

Along her dangerous route, Cussy, known to the mountain folk as Bluet, confronts those suspicious of her damselfly-blue skin and the government's new book program. She befriends hardscrabble and complex fellow Kentuckians, and is fiercely determined to bring comfort and joy, instill literacy, and give to those who have nothing, a bookly respite, a fleeting retreat to faraway lands.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a powerful message about how the written word affects people--a story of hope and heartbreak, raw courage and strength splintered with poverty and oppression, and one woman's chances beyond the darkly hollows. Inspired by the true and historical, blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek showcases a historical first for the introduction of Pack horse Librarians in literary novels — a tale of fierce strength and one woman's belief that books can carry us anywhere — even back home.

Review: Cussy Carter is a 19-year-old living in the backwoods of Kentucky in 1936. She is the last living female of the rare blue people ancestry and is socially shunned for the genetically inherited condition that makes her skin appear blue. She lives alone with her miner father and works as part of the Pack Horse Library Project to travel around to deliver books to the impoverished rural residents. 

Cussy, known as Bluet to many, is a wonderfully independent and strong character. She braves the hilly, treacherous terrain alone every day except for her faithful mule, determined to bring some comfort and escape in the form of books to the poor folks she serves.  It was so sad to see how she was discriminated against and viewed as racially other because of her condition. She has no true place in society and is an outcast in many ways. I appreciated how this novel shed light on a true historical family and their medical condition, as well as the real practice of the Kentucky Pack Horse library service. 

It did seem a bit far-fetched that Cussy would be embroiled in multiple deaths and covered up scenes. I also thought the author really skimmed over her marriage and the resulting trauma to Cussy, which I imagine would have been considerable. I also thought Cussy's love story in the conclusion of the book was a bit too glossed over and lacked substance or connection between the characters. However, overall, this was a fascinating book that breathes life into a little-known story from history. 

Stars: 3.5