See yesterday's blogpost. In doing research for discussion I came upon some controversy about this book and another "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" by Kim Michele Richardson.
Both books were published in 2019 a few months apart. The Troublesome creek being first. There was discussion of similarities and plagiarism. This intrigued me so I ordered the Troublesome creek book to compare. They are historical novels based on the true life Packhorse librarians of kentucky. This was a literacy program started by FDR led by his wife Eleanor during the depression era. It was instituted to bring books to impoverished mining towns in the isolated areas of Kentucky. So there is this overlap in both books. Both deal with extreme poverty, the poor position of women in society, racism, intolerance and both deal with the importance of books and how they can bring hope in the midst of despair. Both are empowering as you see the focus and importance of these women librarians who braved so much to bring books to the most needy. I highly recommend both books. I don't see them as copying one from another but rather as one of my book club members put it "A variation on a theme". I loved reading both books. The Troublesome Creek book also focuses on the blue skinned people of Kentucky. A true anomaly in a small isolated group of people born with blue skin. Google it. It's so interesting. I had never heard of it. The topic of racism especially in today's news is extremely troubling but this book points out the unfortunate idea that anyone different whether it be the color of their skin, the shape of their eyes or their religious beliefs can and are a threat to some people.
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