Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

83 reviews

courtneydowney's review

emotional informative

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Classism

Moderate: Child death and Death of parent

jedore's review against another edition

dark hopeful informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

“Their hunger for books could teach them of a better life free of the hunger, but without food they'd never live long enough or have the strength to find it.”

This is a moving and educational work of historical fiction set in 1930s Kentucky. The story follows Cussy Mary Carter, one of the last living “blue people” of Kentucky and a dedicated packhorse librarian. As part of the WPA’s Packhorse Library Project, launched under FDR’s New Deal, Cussy rides through the rugged Appalachian terrain to deliver books and hope to impoverished families. Cussy faces prejudice due to her unusual blue-tinged skin (she's actually considered to be "colored" like her black neighbors) and her role as a working woman; her resilience and love for books help her to keep forging connections and transforming lives in her community. 

Kim Michele Richardson, a Kentucky native, is deeply connected to the region she writes about. She is also the author of a memoir, The Unbreakable Child, which explores her own experiences of abuse in a Catholic orphanage. Her personal history and love for her home state infuse her writing with authenticity and compassion.  

This book introduced me to two fascinating pieces of history I previously knew nothing about:  

1. The Packhorse Librarians: This program was part of FDR’s New Deal during the Great Depression and aimed to increase literacy in remote regions while giving people in need work so they could survive. The mostly female packhorse librarians rode miles on horseback, often through treacherous conditions, to bring books and education to families in rural areas who had little to no access to  them otherwise.  

2. The Blue People of Kentucky: Cussy Mary is based on a real genetic condition known as methemoglobinemia, which caused the skin of some families in Kentucky to appear blue. The condition, though harmless, made them the subject of ridicule and discrimination.  

While the plot was somewhat formulaic, I still enjoyed this book. The details about the packhorse librarians and the struggles of the blue-skinned people brought a new perspective on resilience, prejudice, and the transformative power of books.  

If you’re looking for a story that combines history, heart, and a unique heroine, this one is well worth your time!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Medical content

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence

Minor: Stalking

lillian_hallelujah's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Classism

sometimes_samantha_reads's review

dark hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Very well written! The audiobook was enjoyable to listen to. Be warned this book has some strong triggers and sad moments. Check the TWs before deciding to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death, Gore, and Racial slurs

stephaniexx31's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Racism

Minor: Racial slurs

leahcatreads's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Classism

Moderate: Physical abuse

Minor: Child death, Death, and Death of parent

allisoff88's review

dark emotional informative inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The poor FMC just couldn't catch a break. But I liked the book overall.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, and Death of parent

swamprat410's review

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Medical trauma

khaben31's review

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Stalking

finessa's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Mention of trigger warnings

Using the n-word with the hard r, twice in the last 5 pages or so of the novel just seemed extremely unnecessary & disrespectful. It changed my whole perspective, really.. But reflecting now, what else could I expect from a book that has a graphic, violent rape scene only 15 pages in..

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Bullying, Vomit, and Stalking