--- product_id: 110312669 title: "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel" price: "VT4401" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/110312669-the-book-woman-of-troublesome-creek-a-novel store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # Appalachian setting Historical fiction 400+ pages The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel **Price:** VT4401 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Dive into a world where every page turns into a journey of resilience! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel - **How much does it cost?** VT4401 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/110312669-the-book-woman-of-troublesome-creek-a-novel) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Emotional Depth:** Engage with characters that resonate with your own struggles and triumphs. - • **Book Club Favorite:** Perfect for sparking discussions and connections with fellow readers. - • **Cultural Connection:** Experience the unique challenges of rural America and the power of books. - • **Resilience and Hope:** Discover the inspiring story of a woman who defies the odds. - • **A Journey Through Time:** Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of 1930s Appalachia. ## Overview The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a captivating historical novel that follows the life of a librarian in the 1930s Appalachian Mountains, highlighting themes of perseverance, community, and the transformative power of literature. ## Description desertcart.com: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel: 9781492671527: Richardson, Kim Michele: Books Review: Highly-acclaimed, Award-winning Fabulous Book Mixing History With Story Set In Appalachia - I am a curious reader of Appalachian tales and history. This book magnificently captures a time not all that well known to the average reader. The story unfolds with interesting detail, the characters are readily imaginable, and ultimately the goal of The Horse Woman is incredible. Read this book - you will be moved and you will learn something factual in the history of the region. This is a good read as it touches on so many topics so if you are a narrow-minded reader, you are sure to miss out on the incredible success of this book. From the author's Biography, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is: Dolly Recommended Read, People Magazine, a 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, a 2019 Forbes Best Historical Novel, 2020 PBS Readers Choice, an Oprah's Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow’s Translation of the Year. It was inspired by the factual "blue people" of Kentucky, and the fierce, brave Packhorse Librarians who used the power of literacy to overcome bigotry, and fear during the Great Depression. Well researched, meaningful, touching, and challenges the reader to dig in. This is a treasure. Review: The wonderful history of the "Blue People" of Kentucky and the Pack Horse Librarians!!! - This book is about dear Cussy Mary Carter, also known as “Bluet”, living in 1936 during the Great Depression, as a Troublesome Creek, Kentucky resident. The author starts the book out by introducing us to nineteen year old Cussy pleading with her Pa, Mr. Elijah Carter, to remain one of the Pack Horse Librarians. Cussy had obtained the job last summer after picking up the application from the post office and mailing it directly to the Pack Horse Libraries’ manager in Frankfort. The job paid her $28 a month. As a coal miner, Elijah along with many of his coworkers, developed a terrible cough and lung disease. He fears his years are coming to an end, and with Cussy’s mother gone, he wishes to ensure he sees his only daughter married off and taken care of before he passes. There is only one issue…Cussy is a “Blue”, a real life blue person. She and her Pa suffer from a genetic disorder called “methemoglobinemia”. This condition is where there is elevated methemoglobin in the blood, which makes it less oxygenated, and causes “cyanosis”, blue colored skin, due to chocolate colored blood. Due to this, she is considered “colored” and unwelcomed in various parts of town, such as common places like church; she is called names, frowned upon, and treated as if she is disease infested. Troublesome Creek citizens are afraid to get near her or any “blues”, fearful that if they touch their skin they will become ill. So getting a suitor, someone to accept her for who she is, is difficult to say the least. On top of that, Cussy does not want to get married. Getting married means she will lose her job as a Pack Horse Librarian, because you must be single in order to have the job. The Pack Horse Librarians were a group of more than one thousand women (and a handful of men) that delivered books to more than 600,000 eastern Kentucky residents. They traveled by whatever means necessary (horse, mule, boat, foot) over incredibly rough terrain, to the remotest areas, some over a hundred miles a week in treacherous weather conditions at times, to ensure their patrons had their weekly reading material. Cussy and her beloved mule Junia, encounter many obstacles. Oh how I LOVE Junia! One day on their route, the incredibly intuitive Junia, halts in her tracks, seeing a rattlesnake in the path ahead. Junia teaches us so much in this story. She may just be a “mule” but she is an animal that that has been through so much heartache and one that becomes incredibly devoted to Cussy in every way. I fell in love with Junia’s character and her dedication to Bluet and her book route. She is Cussy’s best friend, and one of the few that she has. This book will remind you of your animal’s loyalty and just how much love our furry friends bestow upon us. Another topic that is the focus of this gem of a book is poverty. Based on the Great Depression, there are multiple characters that are not privileged to eat every day. Along Cussy’s route, we meet some of these characters and fall in love them. They are completely blind to the fact that Cussy is “blue”. They see her who for who she is, another human being, bringing joy to their lives by bringing books; information from around the world, new information to help them escape their everyday lives, to help them maybe forget for a few moments the hunger striking them in their bellies. The hunger of not eating for days at a time. One of these beloved characters is Henry, a school kid on Cussy’s route. Cussy grows a fondness for Henry. We see just how high of a level of gratitude Henry has for Cussy when he gives her his most prized possession, a pineapple Life Saver. Henry has not eaten for days, but he is so appreciative of the work “the book woman” does, that he gives her the only thing he has to eat. This historical fiction work of art does not disappoint. I was clueless that “blue people” even existed. Kim Richardson did so much research and provided an incredible amount of history for the reader. I am in awe of this story, and grateful for the amount of American history I have learned that I never knew about. You will fall in love with the characters in this book. They will stick with you. I will forever be humbled and grateful for the multitudes of books I have access to at my fingertips. These folks were grateful to even have the same reading material delivered over and over if there was nothing new for them to read. Man, do we take things for GRANTED! If you are having a bad day after reading this book, think about Cussy Mary Carter, Henry or Henry’s mom, or the countless people who everyday went not knowing when or if they would receive another meal. It can always be WORSE! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #3,640 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #20 in Southern Fiction #41 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books) #404 in Women's Literature & Fiction | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 54,861 Reviews | ## Images ![The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/916YmxOiYSL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly-acclaimed, Award-winning Fabulous Book Mixing History With Story Set In Appalachia *by J***. on July 1, 2025* I am a curious reader of Appalachian tales and history. This book magnificently captures a time not all that well known to the average reader. The story unfolds with interesting detail, the characters are readily imaginable, and ultimately the goal of The Horse Woman is incredible. Read this book - you will be moved and you will learn something factual in the history of the region. This is a good read as it touches on so many topics so if you are a narrow-minded reader, you are sure to miss out on the incredible success of this book. From the author's Biography, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is: Dolly Recommended Read, People Magazine, a 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, a 2019 Forbes Best Historical Novel, 2020 PBS Readers Choice, an Oprah's Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow’s Translation of the Year. It was inspired by the factual "blue people" of Kentucky, and the fierce, brave Packhorse Librarians who used the power of literacy to overcome bigotry, and fear during the Great Depression. Well researched, meaningful, touching, and challenges the reader to dig in. This is a treasure. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The wonderful history of the "Blue People" of Kentucky and the Pack Horse Librarians!!! *by J***Y on February 14, 2021* This book is about dear Cussy Mary Carter, also known as “Bluet”, living in 1936 during the Great Depression, as a Troublesome Creek, Kentucky resident. The author starts the book out by introducing us to nineteen year old Cussy pleading with her Pa, Mr. Elijah Carter, to remain one of the Pack Horse Librarians. Cussy had obtained the job last summer after picking up the application from the post office and mailing it directly to the Pack Horse Libraries’ manager in Frankfort. The job paid her $28 a month. As a coal miner, Elijah along with many of his coworkers, developed a terrible cough and lung disease. He fears his years are coming to an end, and with Cussy’s mother gone, he wishes to ensure he sees his only daughter married off and taken care of before he passes. There is only one issue…Cussy is a “Blue”, a real life blue person. She and her Pa suffer from a genetic disorder called “methemoglobinemia”. This condition is where there is elevated methemoglobin in the blood, which makes it less oxygenated, and causes “cyanosis”, blue colored skin, due to chocolate colored blood. Due to this, she is considered “colored” and unwelcomed in various parts of town, such as common places like church; she is called names, frowned upon, and treated as if she is disease infested. Troublesome Creek citizens are afraid to get near her or any “blues”, fearful that if they touch their skin they will become ill. So getting a suitor, someone to accept her for who she is, is difficult to say the least. On top of that, Cussy does not want to get married. Getting married means she will lose her job as a Pack Horse Librarian, because you must be single in order to have the job. The Pack Horse Librarians were a group of more than one thousand women (and a handful of men) that delivered books to more than 600,000 eastern Kentucky residents. They traveled by whatever means necessary (horse, mule, boat, foot) over incredibly rough terrain, to the remotest areas, some over a hundred miles a week in treacherous weather conditions at times, to ensure their patrons had their weekly reading material. Cussy and her beloved mule Junia, encounter many obstacles. Oh how I LOVE Junia! One day on their route, the incredibly intuitive Junia, halts in her tracks, seeing a rattlesnake in the path ahead. Junia teaches us so much in this story. She may just be a “mule” but she is an animal that that has been through so much heartache and one that becomes incredibly devoted to Cussy in every way. I fell in love with Junia’s character and her dedication to Bluet and her book route. She is Cussy’s best friend, and one of the few that she has. This book will remind you of your animal’s loyalty and just how much love our furry friends bestow upon us. Another topic that is the focus of this gem of a book is poverty. Based on the Great Depression, there are multiple characters that are not privileged to eat every day. Along Cussy’s route, we meet some of these characters and fall in love them. They are completely blind to the fact that Cussy is “blue”. They see her who for who she is, another human being, bringing joy to their lives by bringing books; information from around the world, new information to help them escape their everyday lives, to help them maybe forget for a few moments the hunger striking them in their bellies. The hunger of not eating for days at a time. One of these beloved characters is Henry, a school kid on Cussy’s route. Cussy grows a fondness for Henry. We see just how high of a level of gratitude Henry has for Cussy when he gives her his most prized possession, a pineapple Life Saver. Henry has not eaten for days, but he is so appreciative of the work “the book woman” does, that he gives her the only thing he has to eat. This historical fiction work of art does not disappoint. I was clueless that “blue people” even existed. Kim Richardson did so much research and provided an incredible amount of history for the reader. I am in awe of this story, and grateful for the amount of American history I have learned that I never knew about. You will fall in love with the characters in this book. They will stick with you. I will forever be humbled and grateful for the multitudes of books I have access to at my fingertips. These folks were grateful to even have the same reading material delivered over and over if there was nothing new for them to read. Man, do we take things for GRANTED! If you are having a bad day after reading this book, think about Cussy Mary Carter, Henry or Henry’s mom, or the countless people who everyday went not knowing when or if they would receive another meal. It can always be WORSE! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thoughtful Historical Fiction *by J***N on January 15, 2026* Thoughtful historical fiction that shines a light on the Book Women of FDR’s WPA Set in the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains during the mid-1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a moving and informative work of historical fiction told in the first person from the perspective of Cussy Mary Carter—often referred to as Bluet. Cussy is a young Pack Horse Librarian working for Franklin D. Roosevelt’s WPA (Works Progress Administration), delivering books by mule to remote families and schools with no access to libraries. Through patience, persistence, and a genuine love of books, she slowly earns the trust of her community and grows her circle of patrons over time. Cussy also lives with a rare genetic condition, making her the target of fear and prejudice among many townspeople. This aspect of the story adds an emotional layer, as those who judge and mistrust her are often the same people who eagerly await the books she brings. The cast of characters is well developed and multilayered—readers will find themselves rooting for Cussy while feeling frustrated by others. The novel is clearly well researched and does an admirable job highlighting a lesser-known New Deal program and the women behind it. Particularly interesting were the details of what the job entailed, including the creation of handmade scrapbooks filled with recipes, cleaning tips, and sewing patterns shared among mountain families. While the pacing occasionally slows, this is still an engaging and worthwhile read. With its strong female lead, rich historical context, and emphasis on the power of books to foster connection, this novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction looking for a story rooted in resilience, compassion, and community. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel - Sourcebooks Landmark, The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel (The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, 2) - The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/110312669-the-book-woman-of-troublesome-creek-a-novel](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/110312669-the-book-woman-of-troublesome-creek-a-novel) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-08*