“The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson

On our most recent trip to California, I forgot all my books AND my Kindle, and, searching through the casita where we stay, came across THE BOOK WOMAN of TROUBLESOME CREEK, which my sister-in-law had left on a previous visit. I’m not often drawn to historical fiction but needed something to read, so decided to give it a try. Wow. What a great surprise. 

Under a federal program in Kentucky in the 1930s, Cussy Mary gets on her mule and delivers  books, magazines and newspapers to adults and children in poverty stricken, remote, hard to traverse areas. “Hey, Book Woman!” the people holler, eager to see what joys she’s brought them this time, warming Cussy Mary’s heart.

Cussy Mary’s life outside her Book Woman identity is not so joyful. Her father is a miner, they are very poor, and, even harder, Cussy Mary is a Bluet, someone with methemoglobinemia, an extremely rare genetic trait that first appeared in Kentucky in the 1820’s and causes blue tinted skin.  Bluets were feared and mistrusted and endured terrible discrimination. The amount of work the Book Women did to deliver the goods, care for their mules, and scrape out a living at home was staggering, and more so for a Bluet. 

The author takes us inside Cussy Mary, and I felt for her. I hurt for her when someone avoided her on the street, pointing at her in disgust or whispering about her or telling her, flat out, to get out of their way. I admired her passion and tenacity. And I pulled for her when she saw opportunities at work or with acquaintances who might become friends—or more. The love story that unfolds touched me and kept me eager to find out more. The ending was plenty satisfying. 

THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK is well written and enjoyable in spite of the pain it portrays. It shows, in a way I could feel, how ignorance and superstition create fear and hatred, and how Mary’s strong, resilient spirit serves her well.

I’ve spoken since with several people who’ve read the book. They all loved it too. So glad I found it.

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