Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

13 reviews

busyknitting's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Death, and Racism

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Police brutality

Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault

backpackingbookworm's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

After listening to and thoroughly enjoying The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek last year, I was keen to revisit the characters and the Kentucky hills via The Book Woman’s Daughter, set over a decade later.

In this instalment, Honey is now 16 years old and happily living with her mother, father, and Junior the mule away from the folk who drove them out of Troublesome. But when they are discovered in hiding, Jackson and Cussy are arrested and sent to prison, leaving Honey alone. With no guardian, Honey risks being sent to the children’s prison. Determined to remain free, Honey takes her mother’s old packhorse route to earn money and fights for her emancipation.

What a great sequel, and one I highly recommend on audio, especially if you love a southern accent which really brings the story to life. As well as familiar faces, we also meet new characters, like Pearl who looks out for Honey and shows her the meaning of true friendship. As with the last, the scenery and imagery are vivid, with treacherous mountain passes, humble homes, and traditional Kentucky food. One of the key themes is the role of working women during this time and how they were mistreated for taking ‘men’s’ jobs - we see this clearly with Bonnie working in the coal mines and Pearl as the forest fire lookout. The author has clearly researched this era and created a well-rounded portrayal of life in the South during the 1950s.

While the plot was a little bit predictable, it was entertaining to listen to and one I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an interesting and easy read.

Rating breakdown

• Plot/narrative - 4
• Writing style/readability - 4.2
• Characters - 4.4
• Diverse themes - 4.4
• Ending - 4.2

Overall - 4.2

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse

Moderate: Racism

mels_reading_log's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book carries on the legacy of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek with the story of Honey. She follows in her mother’s footsteps as a pack horse librarian who spreads literacy to the hills of Kentucky. While dealing with the repercussions of the racist laws of 1950’s rural Kentucky, she is forced to take care of herself and fight for her freedom as a bright and responsible you g woman. She also faces the violence of sexism with some of the local men and her and her sisterhood of strong women fight back against the hatred. I loved this book. I love the message of spreading knowledge to end the cycle of poverty, hate and ignorance. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, Bullying, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Blood, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Infertility, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Murder

Minor: Addiction

bailsoutbooks's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Abandonment

Minor: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Domestic abuse

ashconklin's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, and Sexism

Moderate: Violence and Murder

Minor: Death, Child abuse, and Death of parent

kimberlina82's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Vomit

rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Violence

Moderate: Racism

snipinfool's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Honey was the adopted daughter of the beloved packhorse librarian of Troublesome Creek, Cussy Lovett. Cussy and Honey carried the gene that makes them "blue skinned" and were often not accepted by those in their community. They tried to maintain a low profile and not cause trouble to look their way. Cussy married Jackson Lovett, who did not carry the gene. Years later, they were arrested for having a mixed marriage and sent to prison. Honey left to stay with a family friend, Loretta, since she was too young to live on her own. At sixteen, she could be married, but if she did not have guardian, she would be sent to the House of Reform and worked from sunup to sundown. When Loretta died shortly after Honey's arrival, Honey's life took another turn. She hoped no one would remember that she needed a guardian to stay out of the work house. Honey took a job as a packhorse librarian. Her route was similar to one her mother had when Honey was a child. She would be bringing reading material to homes in the remote areas of the Kentucky hills around her. Books had been a part of her life for as long as she remembered. It was the perfect job for her and it allowed her the means to care for herself.

This book was just as good as the one that told Cussy's story, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Honey was at home in the hills and thrived in those surroundings. Her new friend, Pearl, was just what Honey needed to keep the worries about her parents at bay. Life in the hills was frequently isolating and Honey brought books, news, and often a listening ear to those who didn't often have visitors. The women and children were especially in need of extra outside stimulation as they rarely left the homestead. While this story is fiction, the packhorse librarian project was a real project in the early to mid 1900's, I enjoyed the continuation of the story through Honey.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Racism

thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Medical content, Sexual assault, and Genocide

amberlfaris's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racial slurs, and Racism