The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson is an intriguing historical fiction novel set in the 1930’s about a brave Pack Horse Librarian, Cussy Mary, known to many as Bluet because of her blue skin. I will refer to her as Cussy because I think that is what she would prefer to be called. Cussy lives with her coal miner dad in the Kentucky hills isolated most of the time as many blue people seem to prefer. Nothing is easy or plentiful except for the ridicule from others because of the color of their skin. Cussy’s only joys come from her job as Pack Horse Traveling Librarian, a job most would find too tiresome, and dangerous. Cussy accepts this challenge every time she rides her trusted mule, Junia, over the treacherously narrow mountain paths to bring books to the people of Troublesome.
Cussy’s job is not only dangerous because of the mountainous terrain but because she looks different than the other Troublesome folk in one way, her skin is blue. Cussy endures discrimination and taunting from the people she works with, the people she delivers to, and even the Doc in town who seeks to study her rare condition for his own gain. Despite all this Cussy Mary braves all hardships to continue the work she so believes in, bringing the people of Troublesome Kentucky their books.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is an eye-opening novel. I knew very little about the Pack Librarian Program and found it not only fascinating but inspiring. You can bet that I will think of Cussy Mary and the many miles she traveled on a mule the next time I easily drive to my library or bookstore.
I had also never heard of or ever read about the blue people of Kentucky. Their condition known as Methemoglobinemia is exceptionally rare, however the discrimination the blue people experienced is not. I believe Kim Michele Richardson achieves her intention to humanize and bring understanding of the blue people of Kentucky but through her beautiful writing she does more. She creates a thought-provoking story that begs the reader to consider what produces prejudice, intolerance, and injustice. This historical fiction novel may be set in 1936, however, its message is acutely relevant today.