While I was in the OFH library looking for reading material, Janet, another denizen of the OFH came in. In my hand was The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Michelle Richardson. Janet said she'd read it and recommended reading it. So I did and was glad.
A New Your Times bestseller it could be called an historical novel. It is set in the later 1930s during the economic depression. The WPA hired Pack Horse Librarians to deliver books to remote, mountainous areas of Kentucky. It gave income to needy people, mostly women, and books and reading material to hill folk who had little or none.
The protagonist is Pack Horse Librarian delivering books with her mule, which is also her protector. Her name is Cussy, but she called Bluet, because she's one of Kentucky's blue people. These people, originally from France, had a recessive gene that, coupled with another person with that gene, had children whose skin was blue. In the 60s medical science determined that this blue color was caused by methemoglobinemia, a lack of an enzyme in the blood. These blue skinned people suffered discrimination akin to that of African Americans. Troublesome Creek is an actual place in Kentucky
Richardson writes a captivating tale while elucidating the role of Pack Horse Librarians and the plight of the 'Kentucky Blues'.
Takk for alt,
al
PS My new VA glasses arrived today.😁
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