The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel

In the 1930s, Franklin D Roosevelt set up many programs to bring jobs to under employed areas of the country. This book tells the story about Cussie Mary Carter, who in her teens became a Rural Librarian at Troublesome Creek. It is a story of hardship and overcoming that hardship to build a better life for herself and her family. There are many poignant stories, including racial prejudice against Cussie Mary as she was one of the Blue people of Kentucky (look up this, for many generations a genetic enzyme defect created people who had blue skin). The books shares stories of great sadness during those tough times and hope for a new generation. Excellent read and compelling writing. Thank you to Kim Michele Richardson for a realistic story about the mountains of Kentucky and the stuggles people faced.

I know the beginning of this review may not make sense, but I'm pretty certain if you can ride it out, you’ll soon begin to understand the cohesiveness of it. In all my book title reviews, I always list when it's a library loan. I wouldn't be able to read the amount I do, if it wasn't for libraries, and the Kindle Unlimited subscription, thankful I can afford this small pleasure as well. Being somewhat of a shut-in due to medical conditions, I wouldn't know what to do with my entire day, 365 days out of the year. Although, on good days, I have hobbies I participate in, there's many more days I'm held back from doing so. The reason I mention this, is I understand to a certain degree, what it would be like to have no access to books, and can't imagine living in the time period these 2 books are written from. I would've definitely been a patron to one or another Book Woman for sure. I can also comprehensively relate to what it's like to be discriminated against for being different. First off, growing up in poverty, with 7 siblings, 2 parents, 2 grandparents, and at times 2 cousins, all living under 1 roof, I also comprehend the desire of escaping, dreaming, losing, and more importantly, finding myself through books provided by the library. I still to this day, distinctively remember taking a school field trip to the library, at a very young age, and being signed up for my very own library card, and being told I could check out pretty much an unlimited supply of books-for free! I thought I was dreaming, or missing some key piece of information, that the Librarian just wasn't sharing with my 5 year old self. My love affair with the library system has continued forward, from that day on. Richardson is a master at putting down the written word, to where it draws you in, provoking the reader to appreciate whatever scene is currently unfolding at the time. The reader is left to feel as if they're capable of extracting the experience and the atmosphere in remarkably genuine and authentic terms, as if one is actually part of the written scenes, plots, and sentiments. I'm extraordinarily meagerly on handing out 5 star reviews. This masterpiece, and the 1st, are highly deserving of a 5 star review. This duology is recommended to everyone who enjoys reading, regardless of their preferred genre.

I had read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and found it to be super compelling, so I wanted to read about her daughter. The daughter, Honey, isn't a full blue like her mother. Blues were people with a skin condition with no cure which made them look blue. Honey's hands and feet betrayed her Blue heritage. These stories are set in Kentucky at a time period when women had no rights, and certainly not Blues. Honey is devastated as the book opens when both of her parents are arrested and imprisoned for marrying. It was forbidden for a white man to marry a Blue and they'd managed to stay hidden after his release from prison the first time. But the law caught up with them and the brutality shown to the loving couple is incomprehensible. That left Honey on her own at the age of 16, which by Kentucky law, meant she was subject to being imprisoned in a work prison until she turned 21. The entire story is built around her trying to gain and keep her freedom. I cheered for her when the landed a job as a pack horse librarian, as her mother had been. Now, she has income and a chance at freedom, if only she can stay out of the crosshairs. I admired her courage and tenacity. She was wise beyond her young years. Two other characters stand out in the story to me. The first being Junia, a stubborn mule that is fiercely protective of Honey, as she had been of Honey's mother. The second character was another independent woman, age 19, who was manning the fire lookout for the forestry service. Pearl turned out to be not only a loyal friend, but the two girls grew as close as sisters. While this book didn't grab me like the first one, it is still a most compelling read. It's horrible what women were subjected to during that time. I'm so glad things have changed. If you like a story that will consume you, I highly recommend either of these books. The historical accuracy is amazing. It's obvious the author did a tremendous amount of research, as she confirms in her closing statements. Fantastic!

As a reader and retired English and Reading teacher in both middle and high schools, I am constantly reading. I love reading and helped teach my grandchildren to read when they were two or three years old. I consider reading an important and necessary part of growing up.

This book follows on from “Book woman of Troublesome Creek” and is a well woven story & facts of the persecution of the blue people of the Appalachian mountains and the misogyny prevalent at the time.

Great book. Did not know that Kentucky history. Looking forward to the sequel. ( Book Woman's Daughter) ...have it just not read yet.

I loved the author's descriptions of the settings and characters in this book. They carried me to another time and place. I was inspired by and hopeful for Honey and the sisterhood that surrounded her.

Another brilliant read. I learn so much from these stories. The history, the atmosphere of the places and I can feel the people’s worries, fears, joys and friendship with each other. The research done brings reality to life.

Loved this follow up to bookwoman of troublesome creek. Follows cusdys daughter Honey who has to travel on ger trusty steed back to troublesome and become a packhorse librarian. With all her own hardships which she must deal with along the way.