A review of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. This historical fiction novel takes us back to the 1930s. It tells the fascinating story of the Pack Horse Library Project, the rare blue skined people of Kentucky and the incredible power of books. “A lush love letter to the redemptive power of books.” – Joshilyn Jackson
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
The One With The Pack Horse Library Project!
This post is my personal, honest review of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek!
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
A Novel by Kim Michele Richardson
Although most of our book club monthly picks are light, uplifting novels, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Mechele Richardson is a story I couldn’t skip. This is an emotional roller coaster of a read that historical fiction fans will love. So whether you are a member of our online IVI’S READS BOOK CLUB or looking for your the next novel on your own list, the time has come to review our official MARCH BOOK CLUB PICK The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.
Book Synopsis & Details
– from the publisher
The bestselling historical fiction novel from Kim Michele Richardson, this is a novel following Cussy Mary, a packhorse librarian and her quest to bring books to the Appalachian community she loves, perfect for readers of William Kent Kreuger and Lisa Wingate. The perfect addition to your next book club!
The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything—everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt’s Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome’s got its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary Carter.
Cussy’s not only a book woman, however, she’s also the last of her kind, her skin a shade of blue unlike most anyone else. Not everyone is keen on Cussy’s family or the Library Project, and a Blue is often blamed for any whiff of trouble. If Cussy wants to bring the joy of books to the hill folks, she’s going to have to confront prejudice as old as the Appalachias and suspicion as deep as the holler.
Inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman’s belief that books can carry us anywhere—even back home.
Book Details:
Title: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Author: Kim Michele Richardson
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Print Length: 320 pages
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction, Women Fiction
Where to Buy: Amazon; Bookshop; Barnes & Noble
THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK REVIEW
The Kentucky Pack Horse Librarian program has been fascinating for me ever since I learned about it a few years ago. Without a doubt, it is a part of US history that deserves to be shared and studied. The women and men involved in this undertaking deserve to be admired and most importantly remembered. Needless to say a story set during the Great Depression would not be an easy one to read.
It explores the faith of starving families and the challenges awaiting librarians in the harsh Apalachian mountains. In addition, it illustrates the coal miners’ struggles for better working conditions. Last but not least, it shows the unjust and cruel treatment of minorities. While I was familiar with most of these topics, I had never heard of the Blue people of Kentucky. As such, the story of Cussy’s story was quite a revelation to me.
“Their hunger for books could teach them of a better life free of the hunger, but without food they’d never live long enough or have the strength to find it.”
KIM MICHELE RICHARDSON, THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK
Cussy is a woman, who despite the pain, cruelty and hardships faced, powers through with empathy, kindness and grace. She is a strong, courageous individual, who knows the importance of the written word and stops at nothing to deliver the much needed reading materials to the people living in isolation in the mountains. I loved learning their stories, getting to know them and getting a glimpse into their lives.
I especially loved the relationship between the main protagonist and her loyal, protective mule. The two look out and genuinely care for each other. The author’s thorough reseach and passion for the project shows on every page. One cannot help but feel deeply for the people living in Appalachia. in the 1930s and appload their dedication to reading and learning.
About the Author and What to Read Next
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.
Her critically acclaimed novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a recommended read by Dolly Parton 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 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 and has been adopted as a Common Read selection by states, cities, and universities across the country and abroad. It has been translated into over a dozen languages.
Her latest novel, The Book Woman’s Daughter, an instant NYT and USA TODAY’s bestseller is both a stand-alone and sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Kim Michele lives with her family in Kentucky and is the founder of Shy Rabbit.– from the author’s web page
Book Recomendations for Fans of
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
If you loved The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek you should check out these other titles by Kim Michele Richardson. Highly rated and full of magick, romance and mystery her work will leave you wanting more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Beautifully written this novel is a must read for historical fiction fans. I must warn that it is not an easy read. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is set during a difficult time in American History. It is told from the point of view of the last of her kind Blue skinned daughter of a coal miner. Furthermore, the characters live in the remote Apalachian mountains. That is to say that it is a novel that could hardly be expected to be a light-hearted read. Even so, some scenes took me quite by surprise.
Trigger warnings include death, phisical abuse, rape, suicide, death of a child and medical experimentation. Kim Michele Richardson tells a powerful story that had to be told, as hard as it may be to hear. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of a girl who set to make a difference in a world where a little hope, a little light and a little kindness could go a long way.
To Join Ivi’s Bookclub
- Join our Facebook Group at : Ivi’s Book Club
- Sign up for our newsletter Here and note that you would like to join the book club:
- Come to the Book Corner weekly to see the new post or go back to them when you are re-reading a favorite.
- Like, share and comment to spread the word. We would like to reach readers looking for a book club online that offers feel good titles, supportive friendly community and practical life applications inspired by our favorite reads.
