The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
In 1936, Bluet is the last of the Kentucky Blues. In the dusty Appalachian hills of Troublesome Creek, 19 and blue-skinned, Bluet has used up her chance for “respectability” and a marriage bed. Instead, she joins the historical Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and becomes a librarian, riding up treacherous mountains on a mule to deliver books and other reading material to the poor hill communities of Eastern Kentucky. Along her dangerous route, Bluet confronts many who are distrustful of her blue skin. The impoverished Kentuckians are quick to blame a Blue for any trouble in their small town.
In Kim Michele Richardson’s The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Bluet faces many uphill battles – literal and figurative. The prejudice against her kind means she can’t even enjoy a simple country dance without the sheriff ordering her home. Richardson illustrates the challenges many people of colour faced during the 1930s and still do today well in this story.
Bluet’s inner strength as she bears the brunt of her small community’s prejudice is powerful. Although in the beginning she does wish to be “normal,” Richardson wrote Bluet’s change of heart in a realistic way. Many girls growing up wish they could change the way they look and would be able to relate to how Bluet felt about the colour of her skin.
I especially liked reading about Bluet’s clients that she delivered books to. The Book Woman does follow Bluet’s journey, but readers also see how her clients’ lives change – some for the better, some for the worse. Through these people, we see Bluet’s loving heart, her determination, and her brave spirit. She goes out of her way to read to her elderly clients and to deliver books to a dying boy, among many other kind acts.
My only complaint, and it’s minimal, but I just wish Bluet could have had a truly happily ever after. It’s cliché, but after all Bluet went through, she deserved to marry the man she loved without facing hateful community members. Yet it wouldn’t have followed Richardson’s theme of overcoming adversity if she had made Bluet’s wedding day go off without a hitch. My hope is that after the book ended, Bluet did get her happy ending, even if it was hard fought.
This story of courage, hope, and heartbreak is inspiring. I like to think Bluet and I would have been on the pack trail together, bringing the love of books to mountain cabins and secluded cottages all over.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Link
Buy on Indigo
Buy on Amazon
In Kim Michele Richardson’s The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Bluet faces many uphill battles – literal and figurative. The prejudice against her kind means she can’t even enjoy a simple country dance without the sheriff ordering her home. Richardson illustrates the challenges many people of colour faced during the 1930s and still do today well in this story.
Bluet’s inner strength as she bears the brunt of her small community’s prejudice is powerful. Although in the beginning she does wish to be “normal,” Richardson wrote Bluet’s change of heart in a realistic way. Many girls growing up wish they could change the way they look and would be able to relate to how Bluet felt about the colour of her skin.
I especially liked reading about Bluet’s clients that she delivered books to. The Book Woman does follow Bluet’s journey, but readers also see how her clients’ lives change – some for the better, some for the worse. Through these people, we see Bluet’s loving heart, her determination, and her brave spirit. She goes out of her way to read to her elderly clients and to deliver books to a dying boy, among many other kind acts.
My only complaint, and it’s minimal, but I just wish Bluet could have had a truly happily ever after. It’s cliché, but after all Bluet went through, she deserved to marry the man she loved without facing hateful community members. Yet it wouldn’t have followed Richardson’s theme of overcoming adversity if she had made Bluet’s wedding day go off without a hitch. My hope is that after the book ended, Bluet did get her happy ending, even if it was hard fought.
This story of courage, hope, and heartbreak is inspiring. I like to think Bluet and I would have been on the pack trail together, bringing the love of books to mountain cabins and secluded cottages all over.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Link
Buy on Indigo
Buy on Amazon