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A review by grahamlm86
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
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)