Good Historical Fiction About An Interesting Topic
Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Not having any prior knowledge of the blue-skinned people in Kentucky, I was definitely interested to read this novel. My favorite part was actually the history lesson and accompanying photographs at the end of the book, as the author did a good job of explaining both the history of the blue-skinned people and the book women who traveled through treacherous conditions to serve the rural population. The racism that the characters faced seemed genuine to the time period, as I can only assume that the blue-skinned and the blacks were treated similiarly. The toughness, both mental and physical, of the book women was also well represented, giving readers a clear picture as to the harshness of the conditions.
The underlying story was good, although I found it to be a little drawn out in places and rushed in others. I wish the author had narrowed the focus to Cussy Mary Carter, instead of giving indistinct side plots to lesser characters. Overall, I liked the historical feeling of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and would recommend it to other readers.
Not having any prior knowledge of the blue-skinned people in Kentucky, I was definitely interested to read this novel. My favorite part was actually the history lesson and accompanying photographs at the end of the book, as the author did a good job of explaining both the history of the blue-skinned people and the book women who traveled through treacherous conditions to serve the rural population. The racism that the characters faced seemed genuine to the time period, as I can only assume that the blue-skinned and the blacks were treated similiarly. The toughness, both mental and physical, of the book women was also well represented, giving readers a clear picture as to the harshness of the conditions.
The underlying story was good, although I found it to be a little drawn out in places and rushed in others. I wish the author had narrowed the focus to Cussy Mary Carter, instead of giving indistinct side plots to lesser characters. Overall, I liked the historical feeling of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and would recommend it to other readers.