Scan barcode
A review by horationelson
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thoroughly whelmed. As a Kentuckian and a historian, I picked up this because I was interested in the premise; I knew a little about the WPA library projects but was intrigued to learn more. The history itself is good (except for the one glaring error that Richardson acknowledges in the final author's notes; she did it for story purposes and I understand that).
The romance is predictable and handed to the reader. As soon asJackson is introduced, it's obvious a relationship is going to happen. I saw next to no development of said romance, and then suddenly Jackson is saying "I love you." Sure.
The thing that bothered me the most was the racism. Even if I allow the concession that the Blues were discriminated against - people are awful most of the time, even now - I find it hard to believe that they were called "colored." It also made me, a white person, feel super uncomfortable that Cussy Mary acted like she was more judged that Queenie, her Black friend. It feels like Richardson wanted to write about race and racism without actually writing about race and racism.
On the other end of the spectrum, and far less important: the narrator of the audiobook version I listened to was obviously not from Kentucky. I know, I know, I'm being picky, but as someone from Kentucky, hearing our towns mispronounced took me out of the story. She was a good narrator otherwise, and had a pretty good Appalachian accent, but maybe learn to pronounce Louisville if you're going to have to read it so many times.
The romance is predictable and handed to the reader. As soon as
The thing that bothered me the most was the racism. Even if I allow the concession that the Blues were discriminated against - people are awful most of the time, even now - I find it hard to believe that they were called "colored." It also made me, a white person, feel super uncomfortable that Cussy Mary acted like she was more judged that Queenie, her Black friend. It feels like Richardson wanted to write about race and racism without actually writing about race and racism.
On the other end of the spectrum, and far less important: the narrator of the audiobook version I listened to was obviously not from Kentucky. I know, I know, I'm being picky, but as someone from Kentucky, hearing our towns mispronounced took me out of the story. She was a good narrator otherwise, and had a pretty good Appalachian accent, but maybe learn to pronounce Louisville if you're going to have to read it so many times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Body shaming