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egould1's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book - I think a lot of that was because it incorporates 2 historical events that I had never heard of before. Plus, I’m a librarian, and who doesn’t like to read about other librarians? I didn’t think the writing was amazing, but it was engaging and moved the story (and the reader) along. The story is what captured me with this book.
kaitface's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.25
I loved this read. What a perfect book to get me back into reading after a months long slump. It was nearly perfect for me, my only complaint was the slow pacing of FINALLY getting to Jackson courting Cussy. I appreciated the “I asked six times” from him because MAN. I saw it coming from miles away and it was so slow getting there.
I disliked the ending, but recognize the mob mentality and lack of logic/critical thinking when “the other” is involved…oh how times really haven’t changed.
I disliked the ending, but recognize the mob mentality and lack of logic/critical thinking when “the other” is involved…oh how times really haven’t changed.
tdurst's review against another edition
2.0
Boring.
I usually love books about books, libraries, or librarians. That predilection plus this book's rave reviews had me super excited to read this book.
I liked the IDEA of this book but the execution was less than ideal. I reached the halfway point and realized the only character I liked was the ornery mule!
I'm glad that I finally got thre chance to reward this book, but I will not be recommending it to my book nerd buddies.
I usually love books about books, libraries, or librarians. That predilection plus this book's rave reviews had me super excited to read this book.
I liked the IDEA of this book but the execution was less than ideal. I reached the halfway point and realized the only character I liked was the ornery mule!
I'm glad that I finally got thre chance to reward this book, but I will not be recommending it to my book nerd buddies.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
"I liked my sensibility just fine. I liked my freedom a lot—loved the solitude these last seven months had given me—and 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."
I'd never heard of librarians that delivered books to rural areas by horse or mule and how that affected and changed lives. I found both the information about librarians, how they get their books and the Kentucky blue people both fascinating and an interesting element of the story. I can't imagine how wonderful it must have been to deliver books like that, a traveling library, but also how hard to see those people in the country struggling so much. This story was very good.
I'd never heard of librarians that delivered books to rural areas by horse or mule and how that affected and changed lives. I found both the information about librarians, how they get their books and the Kentucky blue people both fascinating and an interesting element of the story. I can't imagine how wonderful it must have been to deliver books like that, a traveling library, but also how hard to see those people in the country struggling so much. This story was very good.
knitswhilereading's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic read, 4.5 stars. The story and themes were very well done, but as a Kentuckian I found the constant references to the state a bit heavy-handed. Don’t let this stop you from reading this wonderful Appalachian historical fiction.
grahamlm86's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, and give it 3.75-4 stars. I could feel the emotions, such as when Cussy experienced racism or when she saw Henry dying from hunger. "Henry's face was more hollowed, his bones again poked out of ragged clothes... He had the pellagra and was starving to death (147)." Cussy was deep in grief after Henry passed away from hunger, and I could feel her grief.
Cussy was kind-hearted and wanted to help those who were hungry, however, like Winnie noted, "You can't feed one, Cussy Mary, without feeding them all. They all have the hunger, just some of their bodies are able to hide the sickness better than others (147)." Cussy then would get tests for Doc on her medical condition, so that in exchange they'd give her cases of food to share with those who were hungry. Her efforts helped, and she felt that "to think that the young'uns would have their bellies full in the morning was worth doing Doc's tests (188)."
I liked how Cussy was a librarian, sharing books with those who lived in remote areas of the country, feeding their minds to learn and grow: "It's my job to tend to the folks who are hungry for learning (5)." "They needed books more than anything else this place had to offer. They were starved for the learning, the know-how on leaving this hard land for a better, softer one (72)." "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 (147)."
I didn't really connect with the beginning of the book, but after a while I really connected throughout the whole story and especially the last 40-50 pages, alot happened towards the end. It's sad to know that the issues in the story are based off of what really happened back then in Kentucky - women's lack of rights/freedoms, racism, marriage, and hunger. It was also interesting to read up on her medical condition, methemoaglobinemia, that caused the blue in her skin, but sad to hear her have nausea and vomitting with the methylene blue treatment and her continuing her treatment because she felt being "white" was the best for her.
I liked Jackson's character and how he loved Cussy just the way she was. With Cussy's pa, Jackson, Miss Loretta, and Mr Taft, Cussy realizes that being "blue" is who she is, and that she is enough.
"Well, them cloths are a lot like folks. Ain't much difference at all. Some of us is more spiffed up than others, some stiffer, and still, some softer. There's the colorful and dull, ugly and pretty, old, new 'uns. But in the end we's all fabric, cut from His cloth. Fabric, and just that." (88)
Cussy was kind-hearted and wanted to help those who were hungry, however, like Winnie noted, "You can't feed one, Cussy Mary, without feeding them all. They all have the hunger, just some of their bodies are able to hide the sickness better than others (147)." Cussy then would get tests for Doc on her medical condition, so that in exchange they'd give her cases of food to share with those who were hungry. Her efforts helped, and she felt that "to think that the young'uns would have their bellies full in the morning was worth doing Doc's tests (188)."
I liked how Cussy was a librarian, sharing books with those who lived in remote areas of the country, feeding their minds to learn and grow: "It's my job to tend to the folks who are hungry for learning (5)." "They needed books more than anything else this place had to offer. They were starved for the learning, the know-how on leaving this hard land for a better, softer one (72)." "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 (147)."
I didn't really connect with the beginning of the book, but after a while I really connected throughout the whole story and especially the last 40-50 pages, alot happened towards the end. It's sad to know that the issues in the story are based off of what really happened back then in Kentucky - women's lack of rights/freedoms, racism, marriage, and hunger. It was also interesting to read up on her medical condition, methemoaglobinemia, that caused the blue in her skin, but sad to hear her have nausea and vomitting with the methylene blue treatment and her continuing her treatment because she felt being "white" was the best for her.
I liked Jackson's character and how he loved Cussy just the way she was. With Cussy's pa, Jackson, Miss Loretta, and Mr Taft, Cussy realizes that being "blue" is who she is, and that she is enough.
"Well, them cloths are a lot like folks. Ain't much difference at all. Some of us is more spiffed up than others, some stiffer, and still, some softer. There's the colorful and dull, ugly and pretty, old, new 'uns. But in the end we's all fabric, cut from His cloth. Fabric, and just that." (88)
rebekah_rei's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Loved this one! The ending felt a little rushed, but I couldn't put this one down!
Loved this one! The ending felt a little rushed, but I couldn't put this one down!
modrallj's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this - born & raised in KY, though not quite in the holler. And obviously a book lover, because here I am reviewing a book about books. I had NO IDEA about the synopsis of The Giver of Stars but am actually about to read that, so I'll be interested to see the differences. I thought many of the facets of Appalachian life (at least as I know of them) to be well captured. And I loved the ending.
gretchencs's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kreplehill's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting book about the blue people of Kentucky. It was especially appealing to me because the protagonist is a WPA pack horse librarian, and I like books featuring librarians. :)