Since the early writing was so intriguing and I didn't win a Bookish copy,
I ordered THE BOOK WOMAN and have been happy enough to read it twice.
It opens with a disquieting and gruesome image which fortunately moves quickly on into the tale of young blue Cussy Mary Carter, her father, and The Park Horse Library Project of Appalachian Kentucky. Forced by her father to marry against her strongest feelings, she is soon freed to resume her job delivering books thanks to Eleanor Roosevelt and The New Deal.
The author sets the stage beautifully, for landscape, politics, society, and, the pervading racism against both The Blues and The Blacks. Though some parts will likely make readers impatient - the father/daughter preaching-to-the-choir conversations, refusal to carry ANY kind of a weapon for protection in obvious mountain dangers, not telling ANYONE about Vester's attack and stalking, and not exchanging her doctor's requests for help to save Henry's life (or not taking him in herself!) - the balance feels authentic and makes for compelling reading.
It would also be welcome to see a sequel with Queenie expressing her true and honest reactions to Cussy's thrilled joy at finally becoming white, how her self hatred at being blue would make Queenie wonder at her insensitivity to those who are black.
Did Cussy expect black people to hate themselves?
I ordered THE BOOK WOMAN and have been happy enough to read it twice.
It opens with a disquieting and gruesome image which fortunately moves quickly on into the tale of young blue Cussy Mary Carter, her father, and The Park Horse Library Project of Appalachian Kentucky. Forced by her father to marry against her strongest feelings, she is soon freed to resume her job delivering books thanks to Eleanor Roosevelt and The New Deal.
The author sets the stage beautifully, for landscape, politics, society, and, the pervading racism against both The Blues and The Blacks. Though some parts will likely make readers impatient - the father/daughter preaching-to-the-choir conversations, refusal to carry ANY kind of a weapon for protection in obvious mountain dangers, not telling ANYONE about Vester's attack and stalking, and not exchanging her doctor's requests for help to save Henry's life (or not taking him in herself!) - the balance feels authentic and makes for compelling reading.
It would also be welcome to see a sequel with Queenie expressing her true and honest reactions to Cussy's thrilled joy at finally becoming white, how her self hatred at being blue would make Queenie wonder at her insensitivity to those who are black.
Did Cussy expect black people to hate themselves?