“I never understood why other people thought my color, any color, needed fixing.” – Kim Michele Richardson

Looking for a clear explanation of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek? This article gives you everything you need to know about this popular historical novel.

In this summary, you’ll find:

• A detailed plot breakdown
• Character descriptions
• Historical context about the Blue People of Kentucky
• Information about the Pack Horse Library Project
• Reader ratings and opinions
• Similar book recommendations

Many readers struggle to find honest, thorough book summaries. I’ve analyzed this story from every angle to give you the full picture. Let’s see the remarkable journey of Cussy Mary Carter, the blue-skinned librarian who changed lives in 1930s Kentucky.

Plot Summary

“Bring me new words when we meet again so I know the book and brain ain’t gathering dust,”

Set in 1936 in the hills of Kentucky, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek follows 19-year-old Cussy Mary Carter, the last female of the “Blue People” ancestry. Born with a rare genetic condition called methemoglobinemia that turns her skin blue, Cussy faces severe discrimination and is treated as “colored” in her community, often shunned and ridiculed.

Despite these challenges, Cussy finds purpose as a Pack Horse librarian, part of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. Riding her faithful mule Junia through dangerous mountain terrain, she delivers books and reading materials to impoverished families in remote areas of Appalachia.

Her patrons affectionately call her “Bluet” or “Book Woman,” and through her service, she brings comfort, joy, and literacy to those who have nothing. At home, Cussy lives with her coal-mining father, who suffers from “black lung” disease.

Worried about her future, he attempts to marry her off, believing a husband would provide security after his inevitable early death. After a disastrous arranged marriage, Cussy continues her work as a librarian, finding meaning in her service despite the daily prejudice and hardship she faces.

As Cussy navigates her life in Troublesome Creek, she encounters a local doctor who offers to investigate her condition. His medical testing and experimental treatment bring temporary changes to her appearance but also come with devastating side effects.

Throughout the story, Cussy builds meaningful connections with her patrons, helps starving children at the schoolhouse, and eventually finds unexpected acceptance and love.

The story culminates in a dramatic fashion, with Cussy facing grave danger and making difficult choices about her identity and future in a world that largely rejects her for her differences.

Characters

• Cussy Mary Carter (Bluet): The protagonist, a blue-skinned 19-year-old who works as a Pack Horse librarian
• Pa Carter: Cussy’s coal-mining father, who worries about her future
• Junia: Cussy’s loyal mule who carries her and her books through the mountains
• Doc: The physician who studies Cussy’s condition and offers treatment
• Jackson: A character who shows Cussy acceptance and kindness
• Various patrons: Including schoolchildren and isolated families who receive books from Cussy

Themes and Historical Context

This is a story with a fantastic depiction of time and place, and people. An example of historical fiction at its best reflecting the worst things in life such as the racism that existed then and sadly now as well and some of the best things, the kindness of people, the importance and value of the written word, the joy that Cussy Mary got out of seeing the joy she brought to them when she delivered a book.

The novel explores several powerful themes:

1. Prejudice and discrimination: The novel doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of racism and prejudice
2. The power of literacy and education: Books become a lifeline for the impoverished communities Cussy serves
3. Resilience in the face of hardship: Cussy’s determination to continue her work despite personal challenges
4. Identity and acceptance: Cussy’s struggle to find her place in a society that rejects her

The book illuminates two fascinating historical realities:

1. The Blue People of Kentucky: A real genetic condition, methemoglobinemia, affected several families in the Appalachian region, causing their skin to appear blue-tinged. These individuals faced severe discrimination.
2. The Pack Horse Library Project: From 1935 to 1943, this WPA initiative employed primarily women to deliver reading materials to remote areas of Appalachia, bringing books and literacy to isolated communities with limited access to education.

What Genre Does The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Focus On?

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is historical fiction that draws heavily on real events and conditions in Depression-era Appalachia. The novel incorporates elements of:

• Historical drama
• Cultural exploration
• Character-driven narrative

Richardson weaves authentic mountain dialect throughout her story while painting a vivid picture of Appalachian life during the Great Depression. The novel excels in its exploration of lesser-known historical facts, delivering emotionally charged storytelling that centers on prejudice, resilience, and human connection during times of adversity.

Ratings and Reviews

“What I wanted most was to be okay as a Blue. I never understood why other people thought my color, any color, needed fixing.” – Kim Michele Rochardson

Ratings

Goodreads Rating: 4.22 out of 5 stars from over 246,000 ratings

Reviews

• “When I finished this book, I thought it was such a good story and I immediately gave it four stars, but then I thought about it more as I was writing this. I thought about what a meaningful story it is, what an amazing and strong character Cussy Mary Carter is, what a realistic depiction of time and place is presented here, about how much I learned from it, how touched I was…” – Angela M
• “I know I’m rowing against the tide in my review of this book, but my 3 stars is for the things I liked, and I’m not subtracting for the things I didn’t. It was a great story with likable characters (for the most part), and I enjoyed the research and information on both the blue people of Kentucky and the Book Women…” – Diane Barnes
• “This is a heartbreaker of a novel but one that should not be missed. I highly recommend it.” – Dorie

The book stands out for its unique historical focus on both the Blue People of Kentucky and the Pack Horse Library Project. Few novels have explored either topic in depth, and Richardson’s combination of the two creates a memorable and educational reading experience.

Who Should Read This Book?

Age and Content Warning:

• Depictions of poverty and starvation
• Racist language and attitudes (historical context)
• Some medical content that may be disturbing
• References to marital abuse

This book is perfect for readers who:

• Enjoy historical fiction based on real events
• Are interested in Appalachian history and culture
• Appreciate stories about overlooked or marginalized people
• Love books about books and the power of reading

Fans of “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes (which also focuses on the Pack Horse Library Project), “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate, or “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens will likely appreciate Richardson’s blend of regional history and emotional storytelling.

Book Recommendations If You Liked The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

If you enjoyed this book, you might also like:

• The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
• The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson (the sequel)
• This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
• The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (non-fiction about Appalachia)

Conclusion

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek offers a moving glimpse into a little-known chapter of American history. Through Cussy Mary’s eyes, readers experience both the hardships of Depression-era Appalachia and the transformative power of books in an isolated community.

Kim Michele Richardson’s detailed research brings authenticity to this story of resilience and prejudice. While some readers may find the pacing slow at times, the novel rewards patience with its rich character development and historical insight.

With its unique blend of forgotten history and emotional storytelling, this novel reminds us how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go in accepting those who are different. For readers who appreciate historical fiction that illuminates overlooked corners of our past, Cussy Mary’s journey as the blue-skinned Book Woman of Troublesome Creek offers both education and emotional resonance.

More From This Author

Kim Michele Richardson is a Kentucky-born author whose works frequently explore Appalachian themes and history. As a native of the Bluegrass State, she brings an authentic voice and deep research to her historical fiction, particularly her stories about rural Kentucky life across different eras.

Other books by Kim Michele Richardson:

• The Book Woman’s Daughter (2022) – A sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
• The Sisters of Glass Ferry (2017) – A mystery spanning decades in rural Kentucky
• GodPretty in the Tobacco Field (2016) – About a young girl in 1960s rural Kentucky
• Liar’s Bench (2015) – A coming-of-age story set in 1970s Kentucky
• The Unbreakable Child (2009) – A memoir about surviving institutional abuse