The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek - January 25, 2021

As we begin 2021, we have become quite good at holding our Zoom meetings, being quite respectful,  waiting our turn to speak and sometimes even holding up our hand when we have something to say! However, we all miss  seeing each other in person every month and of course the food and wine! Present at this evening's meeting were Beth, Betty, Carla, Colette, Janet, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley. 

Our first task this evening was to name the Book of the Year 2020.  We had several excellent books this year and it was obvious in the votes we received. However, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens was the narrow favourite, Carla's book choice in 2020.  

This evening we discussed Carla's book choice The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michèle Richardson.  Ms. Richardson was born in Kentucky and grew up at the Saint Thomas-Saint Vincent Orphan Asylum.  Her memoir The Unbreakable Child chronicles her experiences at the orphanage and why she along with her sisters and 40 other children who lived at the orphanage, sued the Sisters of Charity in 2004 for the abuse they endured.  Ms. Richardson has written 4 novels along with the memoir.  

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a historical novel set in the Appalachian Hills of Kentucky. The heroine, Cussy Mary Carter is one of the last females of the Blue-skinned people of Kentucky. The story takes place during the depression of the 1930's.  The Pack Horse Library Project was a work project to deliver books to remote areas of Kentucky.  Cussy Mary was hired as a book woman and she and her mule Junia travelled her treacherous routes  delivering books, magazines, newspapers and other reading materials to her patrons.  We learned their stories and difficult life in depression era Kentucky. Cussy Mary's strength of character and determination showed in her belief that books and any reading material helped people dream and believe in a better life. 

There was no debate about the merits of this book.  Everyone loved the book and it is a definite page turner.  The writing is excellent, the characters are well-developed. The description of the Appalachian area of Kentucky brought alive the harshness of the terrain, the mountains and the deep connection people had to their part of the world . As a historical novel we learned about the blue people of Kentucky and many of us took the time to read more about this genetic condition.  The Pack Horse Library Project highlighted the desire and thirst people had to read and learn about the outside world.  We were all moved by the drama of arranged marriages, starving children, bigotry and discrimination.  

We were all intrigued by the use of  a "courting candle" by Cussy Mary's father and Carla showed us a photo of one she had found.  It is a Colonial candle holder used as a time-keeper marking the length of time a suitor could visit.  

Thank you Carla for selecting such a beautiful descriptive historical novel that we all enjoyed.