---
product_id: 110312669
title: "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel"
price: "118 Lei"
currency: RON
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 10
url: https://www.desertcart.ro/products/110312669-the-book-woman-of-troublesome-creek-a-novel
store_origin: RO
region: Romania
---

# Appalachian setting Historical fiction 400+ pages The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel

**Price:** 118 Lei
**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?** 118 Lei with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ro](https://www.desertcart.ro/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
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## 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: One of the best books I've read this year! - I know a book is fantastic when I realize I'm getting towards the end and I wish there was lots more to go. That's what happened with The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek. I read this one on my Kindle. When I notice I was at about 80% I let out an anquished, "Nooooooooo!" When I reached the end, my reaction became, "Darn! It's over." These are the signs of one seriously good book! The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek had me hooked for several reasons. The characters were fascinating and had great depth to them. The amount of dialect was just right - enough to give the flavor of the time and place, but not so much as to overwhelm. Even Junia, the main character's mule, was a superbly drawn character. The pacing was great. Every time it seemed as though things were going to be okay for Cussy Mary, bam!, something unexpected happens. Author Kim Michele Richardson did a marvelous job of lulling the reader into a short-lived false sense of security then hitting with something you didn't see coming. One of my favorite things about this book was how much I learned of a time, place, and people of which I previously knew little. The story is set in the Appalachian section of Kentucky during the Depression with all the hollers and hidey-holes where the hill folk lived in almost utter isolation and gut-wrenching poverty. The main character, Cussy Mary, is a pack horse librarian working for the WPA bringing library books to the people living in those isolated places in the hills. These folks often lived in spots extremely difficult to reach, but, like all the real-life pack horse librarians, Cussy Mary had the grit and dedication to always complete her route. She also had a powerful love of books, reading, and learning and an overwhelming desire to share that with others who hungered for it as much as they did for food, which was seemingly in even shorter supply than the books. Besides the unusual and interesting tale of a pack horse librarian, the book offers a unique twist in that Cussy Mary is a "Blue", meaning she has a genetic disorder called methemoglobinemia causing her skin to be blue. When she becomes agitated, afraid, joyful, or experiences any other strong emotion her color turns an even deeper shade of blue. This was a real condition, suffered by some real people in Appalachian Kentucky. However, I had never heard of it before reading this book. Sadly, it is all too true that the "Blue people" were fiercely discriminated against by most white citizens in the same way as were African Americans. They were looked down upon and treated as pariahs. Despite this, Cussy Mary, or Bluet, as she was often called, fights her way into a strong sense of self that can eventually withstand their bigotry. Fortunately, most of her library patrons love her, refer to her as "Book Woman", and treat her with great respect. I was captivated by the characters in this book as well as the story itself. It's one of the best books I've read this year. Highly recommended!

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #4,924 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #16 in Southern Fiction #43 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books) #419 in Women's Literature & Fiction |
| Book 1 of 2  | The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (54,578) |
| Dimensions  | 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.25 inches |
| ISBN-10  | 1492671525 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1492671527 |
| Item Weight  | 10 ounces |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 320 pages |
| Publication date  | May 7, 2019 |
| Publisher  | Sourcebooks Landmark |

## 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.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best books I've read this year!
*by E***N on December 21, 2019*

I know a book is fantastic when I realize I'm getting towards the end and I wish there was lots more to go. That's what happened with The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek. I read this one on my Kindle. When I notice I was at about 80% I let out an anquished, "Nooooooooo!" When I reached the end, my reaction became, "Darn! It's over." These are the signs of one seriously good book! The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek had me hooked for several reasons. The characters were fascinating and had great depth to them. The amount of dialect was just right - enough to give the flavor of the time and place, but not so much as to overwhelm. Even Junia, the main character's mule, was a superbly drawn character. The pacing was great. Every time it seemed as though things were going to be okay for Cussy Mary, bam!, something unexpected happens. Author Kim Michele Richardson did a marvelous job of lulling the reader into a short-lived false sense of security then hitting with something you didn't see coming. One of my favorite things about this book was how much I learned of a time, place, and people of which I previously knew little. The story is set in the Appalachian section of Kentucky during the Depression with all the hollers and hidey-holes where the hill folk lived in almost utter isolation and gut-wrenching poverty. The main character, Cussy Mary, is a pack horse librarian working for the WPA bringing library books to the people living in those isolated places in the hills. These folks often lived in spots extremely difficult to reach, but, like all the real-life pack horse librarians, Cussy Mary had the grit and dedication to always complete her route. She also had a powerful love of books, reading, and learning and an overwhelming desire to share that with others who hungered for it as much as they did for food, which was seemingly in even shorter supply than the books. Besides the unusual and interesting tale of a pack horse librarian, the book offers a unique twist in that Cussy Mary is a "Blue", meaning she has a genetic disorder called methemoglobinemia causing her skin to be blue. When she becomes agitated, afraid, joyful, or experiences any other strong emotion her color turns an even deeper shade of blue. This was a real condition, suffered by some real people in Appalachian Kentucky. However, I had never heard of it before reading this book. Sadly, it is all too true that the "Blue people" were fiercely discriminated against by most white citizens in the same way as were African Americans. They were looked down upon and treated as pariahs. Despite this, Cussy Mary, or Bluet, as she was often called, fights her way into a strong sense of self that can eventually withstand their bigotry. Fortunately, most of her library patrons love her, refer to her as "Book Woman", and treat her with great respect. I was captivated by the characters in this book as well as the story itself. It's one of the best books I've read this year. Highly recommended!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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

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*Product available on Desertcart Romania*
*Store origin: RO*
*Last updated: 2026-02-08*