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weaponizedfun's review against another edition
3.0
I was quite enjoying this book up until chapter 42, then I felt the Plot Convenience Machine started to go into overdrive. I did appreciate the historical fiction and obvious research the author did. The book truly is a love letter to librarians and the power of books. My favorite supporting character was Devil John. Definitely a good book club choice and I look forward to the discussion in December.
eam84's review
5.0
Well-written novel of a fascinating family with a little known recessive gene and a WPA project I never heard of before.
ktamen's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audiobook, but plan to read it later. The audio is well done with good narration and accents. I would rate the book 3 1/2 stars; it's good and well-written, but it didn't wow me like I thought it would.
I preferred the audio to reading it. I liked it, but wasn't amazed by the story. 3 stars to the book
I preferred the audio to reading it. I liked it, but wasn't amazed by the story. 3 stars to the book
runekeon's review against another edition
5.0
I like how it shows the real way racism works and that the true point is to keep people down.
marycathmc's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting book about a brave young woman who worked with Pack Horse Library Project, delivering books (and scrapbooks) to people in rural Kentucky as a part of FDR's WPA program. It's also a book about prejudice towards anyone who is different from you. I never knew about the blue people of Kentucky. I wanted a bit more detail and I felt that the ending was very rushed which is why I gave it 4 stores.
madladym's review against another edition
4.0
This one hit hard. The descriptions of poverty were brutal. The lengths that Book Woman went to to provide reading material for her patrons. Oh my. I hope there was some truth to this part of the story.
car54md's review
4.0
Learned a lot!
Wow. Didn’t know anything about the blue people gene or book women! Intriguing and informative historical fiction, my favorite books to read.
Wow. Didn’t know anything about the blue people gene or book women! Intriguing and informative historical fiction, my favorite books to read.
jenbare's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed learning about the blue people of KY, but comparing the racism experienced by blue people and black people did not sit well with me because of the medical storyline of being able to “cure” blue skin to become white. Although the book showed the “cure” was fruitless, I did not feel like the comparison was appropriate. Race aside, there were parts of the book where I wish the storytelling was emphasized more (e.g., the hunger issue, illiteracy, unions). Plus, the beginning and end seemed a mile a minute v. the rest of the story.
p2warner's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful book! Characters and setting come a live. Highly recommend!
everythingiswords's review against another edition
4.0
The audiobook of this selection definitely adds flair and enhances the timeline of this story. I’m becoming more of a historical fiction fan and this book ranked right up there at the top of my list!