Thought provoking and heartbreaking look at the "Blue People of Kentucky"
Set in 1936 in the Appalachian mountains, Cussy is loving her job as a Pack Horse Librarian delivering books to patrons excited to see her... and the books she brings with her.
"I lived for the joy of bringing books and reading materials to the hillfolk who were desperate for my visits, the printed word that brought a hopeful world into their dreary lives and dark hollers."
Her father, Elijah, however, is determined to marry her off. Suitors arrive, and suitors leave, because Cussy is ... get this… BLUE. No, this is not a science-fiction novel. Instead, the story is based on the very real, very rare "Blue People of Kentucky" who suffer from a hereditary condition called methemoglobinemia.
I've seen photos and read articles about the Pack Horse librarians so it was fun to read an entire book about them. Cussy's experiences as both a librarian and a blue woman were both thought provoking and heartbreaking, and I teared up a bit near the end. I admired her resiliency, strength, and determination to continue serving her beloved patrons despite the many adversities, such as prejudice, hunger, poverty, and the physicality of her job.
According to the author's note at the end of the book, the Pack Horse program was initiated during Roosevelt's New Deal. From 1935-1943, 1000 women (and a few men) served 600,000 residents in eastern Kentucky.
Location: Troublesome Creek, Kentucky
I received an advance copy of this book from BookishFirst. All opinions are my own.
"I lived for the joy of bringing books and reading materials to the hillfolk who were desperate for my visits, the printed word that brought a hopeful world into their dreary lives and dark hollers."
Her father, Elijah, however, is determined to marry her off. Suitors arrive, and suitors leave, because Cussy is ... get this… BLUE. No, this is not a science-fiction novel. Instead, the story is based on the very real, very rare "Blue People of Kentucky" who suffer from a hereditary condition called methemoglobinemia.
I've seen photos and read articles about the Pack Horse librarians so it was fun to read an entire book about them. Cussy's experiences as both a librarian and a blue woman were both thought provoking and heartbreaking, and I teared up a bit near the end. I admired her resiliency, strength, and determination to continue serving her beloved patrons despite the many adversities, such as prejudice, hunger, poverty, and the physicality of her job.
According to the author's note at the end of the book, the Pack Horse program was initiated during Roosevelt's New Deal. From 1935-1943, 1000 women (and a few men) served 600,000 residents in eastern Kentucky.
Location: Troublesome Creek, Kentucky
I received an advance copy of this book from BookishFirst. All opinions are my own.