Longtime Troublesome Creek friends and a tenacious lawyer boost Honey's hopes, but the suspense heightens as ignorant unkindness and archaic laws threaten her future. Readers unfamiliar with Richardson's earlier novel will still enjoy this; she includes Mama's experiences in Honey's coming-of-age story, a gripping and cautiously optimistic tale.
... heartfelt ... Readers who enjoyed Richardson’s previous tale of a woman fighting stubborn prejudice will warm to this book, which features a robust, vividly drawn cast of strong female characters ... The characters might be inspirational, but this is not a shiny, sanitized version of history. This well-researched novel does not shy away from the harsh realities of life in a poor, rural community ... Richardson balances difficult moments with sweeter ones ... there are the rich, resonant rhythms of the local language --- Richardson has an ear for dialogue --- and Honey’s quietly evocative observations of her environment ... Honey’s life may be hard, but it’s also filled with joy, and her story will bring a smile to the face (and tears to the eyes) of readers.
Whether as a stand-alone read or for already die-hard fans of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Book Woman’s Daughter delivers ... Beautiful, evocative, and full of adventure, this book also shines a light on the gifts of friendship, no matter the appearance of the package. I loved this book every bit as much as Troublesome Creek, and look forward to sharing it with eager readers, just as Honey shares her love of books with her reading community… another fine work by Kim Michele Richardson!
The undeniable warmth that permeates Kim Michele Richardson’s fiction is rooted in a love for her home state of Kentucky, her characters and, it seems, the art of writing itself. Her narratives are immersive exercises in character development and world building that are wholly capable of enveloping readers, pulling us deeper with each page until we are happily lost ... The Book Woman’s Daughter...does this from the very beginning ... Throughout The Book Woman’s Daughter, Richardson pushes Honey forward into new states of evolution, desire, grit and spirit while constructing a beautiful vision of 1950s Appalachia in all its natural splendor and complicated humanity.
The Book Woman’s Daughter combines themes of sisterhood and justice with vivid depictions of the Kentucky landscape, making it a good choice for book groups and readers of historical women’s fiction.
Earnest ... Though the story of Honey’s struggle for freedom is a bit formulaic, Richardson excels in her descriptions of the people and places of rural Kentucky. Fans will be delighted to find Cussy’s daughter is just as plucky as her mother.
