Reviewed by Laura
Cussy Marie Carter is a young woman
growing up in the 1930’s in the hollers of Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. Her
parents are some of the few mountain people in the area who are the proud
owners of a handful of precious books. They pass these and their love of
reading on to their only child. Books
are her joy, and consequently, she becomes one of the new Packhorse Librarians,
an initiative from Eleanor Roosevelt to increase literacy and get books in the
hands of those who would otherwise have none. Cussy rides her mule in and out
of the hollers taking reading material to the people of Kentucky. Many are
joyous to receive the items, while others are dead set against the idea, and
opposition to the program is great. The days are long and hard and the dark
mountains can be extremely dangerous for a young woman alone, but Cussy is a
strong, determined woman dedicated to her mission and her patrons. She forms
lasting relationships with those she serves and becomes a valuable part of
their everyday lives.
On
the home front, Cussy’s father, having lost his wife, is trying desperately to
find a man to take care of his daughter when he’s gone. Trouble is, she’s not
sure she wants a man and not too many are interested in a blue woman who might
corrupt the family line with blue babies. Cussy is one of the legendary
Kentucky Blue People, who share a genetic disorder causing the color of their
skin to appear bluish. Pa keeps lighting the courting lamp to let suitors know
there is an eligible woman available in the cabin, but there are very few
takers, until she meets a handsome stranger on her route, and romance becomes a
tantalizing possibility.
The
Blue People are outcasts and face discrimination on a daily basis. As
throughout history, anyone with a different color of skin is viewed as inferior
and suspicious. Cussy is never accepted in polite society and the isolation
hurts. When a doctor from Lexington asks her to join his study researching the
cause of the blue pigmentation, she is hesitant to agree. But after having met someone she feels she could
care about, she reluctantly consents. However, the medication prescribed has such
debilitating side effects, she struggles with the decision of whether or not to
continue the treatments.
This
is a fabulous book that showcases a young woman’s resilient spirit as she
overcomes prejudice and changes her corner of the world with the power of
books. I loved this story so much that I plan to add it to my personal
collection. Some books just capture your heart and this was definitely one of
them. Being a Kentuckian, I have always enjoyed reading anything to do with my
beloved home state. Being an avid reader, I have always been fascinated with
the Packhorse Librarians, as well as the Blue People of Kentucky. This book is an
authentic representation of both. The language and heritage of Appalachia is
well-represented and the story is told with heartfelt realism. Read this book
as soon as you possibly can—it is extremely powerful and destined to become a
classic of Appalachian literature.
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