Loved it

I will read this book again after a while, it had me gripped from beginning till the end.

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Well written and well read

Very interesting fiction based on fact. Descriptive, colourful, and thought-provoking - thorougly enjoyable read.

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what a beautiful read

loved it from start to finish... interesting sad loving heartbreaking couldn't put it down .. best book I've read this year by far

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3 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Absolutely loved this book, issues brought to light in it were well researched by the writer. The main character, Cussy, was incredible. I never knew there was a condition called methemoglobinemiane, found myself reading up on the Blue people of Kentucky (the Fugates). Cussy was a pack horse librarian - again another fascinating part of history. She was such a strong, truely beautiful and caring character, even with all the abuse she received. This is not a fluffy book and truly heartbreaking the amount of racist abuse that Cussy and her father and generations of family were subject too over years. Queenie (❤️ w onderful) Jackson and Cussy's father were all great characters. One of my favourite books this year! Cannot recommend enough.

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Delightful

I had previously read “ The Giving of Stars” by Jojo Moyes which I thoroughly enjoyed. However would say that this book topped it.
The only real similarity is obviously Roosevelt’s Packhorse Library link but this book has much more to offer.
The history of the “blue skinned people” is fascinating and I would highly recommend reading up on that at some point; however KMR does expand on that at the end of the book.
This is an important book- it covers themes of bigotry and racism and learning to except each other for what we are. ( nb The “N” word is used twice in dialogue which was common at that time). It emphasises also the importance of literacy and learning and how friendships and loyalties are forged through a love of reading.
This story is thoroughly researched and is a history book in itself.
The narration was excellent- there wasn’t a huge variation in voices or accents but no matter. Her voice helped set the scene and add atmosphere and gave a real feeling of life in Rural Kentucky at that time.
Overall I absolutely loved this story and would definitely recommend. I’m now about to start listening to the sequel!!

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Packhorse library

I truly wonderful story, dramatic, tender and absorbing. Also interesting as I knew nothing of the blue people of Kentucky and their strange origins and skin colour. I very much enjoyed the story and the reading. Also I do not think it was copied by JoJo Moyes for her book The Giver of Stars. It is just coincidence.

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Loved it.

A beautiful story, linked to history.
I never knew about the blue folk and it got me researching to learn more about them.
Kim's characters give great insight into life in Kentucky in those times.
I enjoyed the narration even though she missed a beat or two.
I'd recommend this gentle tale as worth a listen.

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2 people found this helpful

excellent!

This book was a far cry from my usual
crime and fantasy reads, but I enjoyed it tremendously. The conditions under which these people people lived was heartbreaking.

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An inspiring story about travelling librarians in the Appellation Mountains in the 1930s

A telling and inspiring story about the hardships endured by this brave band of mainly women in the early part of the last century.

Whilst not only helping to spread the printed word, literary choices for all ages, and all abilities in extreme poverty, stricken areas of the appellations, the author weaves together this fascinating, and sometimes quite harrowing story of this brave young woman. Following her and her brave mule through trials and tribulations, whilst delivering books in its self proposed geographical and strategic difficulties, this poor woman suffered a rare and deficient, blood disease, and although this was later found to be curable. She was still judged as a coloured and dealt with in a similarly vicious discriminatory manner by the local community.
The authors note toward the end of the book is fascinating and delivers a few of the missing pieces to the reader which helps to further explain the accuracy of many of the details.

I would highly recommend this book to fellow readers.

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Touching

worth every minute of listening. Cussy Mary ,and all the bookwomen , are my heroes .

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