The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (by Kim Michele Richardson)
Living in Kentucky, it’s almost certain that a book set in Kentucky, written by a Kentucky author, will inevitably catch my attention in every bookstore I visit. Years ago, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson quickly piqued my interest with its captivating cover image and the intriguing title. Although I had been wanting to read this book since its publication, I only recently purchased a copy while browsing a nearby independent bookstore, The Kentucky Bookstore. This bookstore specializes in books by Kentucky authors and/or stories set in Kentucky, and the booksellers had raved about the book every time I visited. Finally, I decided to take the plunge and buy a copy.
Set in 1930s eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression, this historical novel follows Cussy Mary Carter, also known as “Bluet” to the mountain folk. Cussy is a young woman with a rare genetic condition that causes her skin to turn blue, making her the last female of the “Blue People” ancestry. Due to her appearance, she faces prejudice and isolation. However, Cussy finds purpose and independence as one of the Pack Horse Librarians in Roosevelt’s WPA-funded program. She embarks on perilous journeys across the treacherous Appalachian terrain, riding her mule through slippery creeks and up rugged mountains, to deliver books and reading materials to remote, impoverished families who otherwise have limited access to them.
The story delves into themes of courage, resilience, the transformative power of literacy, and overcoming bigotry, drawing inspiration from the real-life Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project and the historical blue-skinned people of Kentucky. It’s a heartwarming narrative of hope, community, and one woman’s unwavering determination to bring comfort and connection through books.
While I found many aspects of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek charming, it didn’t resonate with me as I had anticipated. As a Kentucky transplant, I value learning about significant historical moments in Appalachia. I was unfamiliar with the Pack Horse Library Project, so it was impressive to discover that this remarkable program existed in the 1930s. I enjoyed meeting Cussy Mary’s library patrons on her book route. It’s heartwarming to read about the profound impact of books and learning on these rural individuals. Learning about the blue people was particularly intriguing. I had never heard of this genetic condition, but my husband has a distant recollection of hearing about them. I adored Cussy Mary—her passion for books, unwavering dedication, compassionate caregiving, and hard work. The pack horse librarians were the central theme of the story, but the narrative also explored racism and the dangers of coal mining.
Despite living in Kentucky for many years, it took me a moment to adjust to the language of the characters each time I picked up the book. I don’t mean this as a negative; in fact, it’s quite positive, as it demonstrates the authenticity of the story. Perhaps this reflects my northern roots. When I first moved to Kentucky, there were times when I couldn’t decipher certain words in the dialect of people I met from Eastern Kentucky.
It’s challenging for me to pinpoint precisely why I didn’t connect with The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek as I had hoped. The best explanation I can offer is that the book didn’t consistently captivate my attention. There were moments in the narrative when I was deeply engrossed and on the edge of my seat with anticipation. However, there were also times when the story felt sluggish, and I realized I was feeling bored because I wanted to get up and move around or simply take a nap.
Despite these shortcomings, I’m glad I read the book and plan to read the second book in the series, The Book Woman’s Daughter. I’ve already purchased it from The Kentucky Bookstore. Additionally, Kim Michele Richardson will be visiting The Kentucky Bookstore for an appearance to promote the third book in the series, The Mountains We Call Home. I’m excited to attend the event.
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