The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Character Analysis

Cussy Mary Carter

Cussy Mary Carter is a 19-year-old librarian with the Pack Horse Library project in rural eastern Kentucky; her job is to bring books to far-flung patrons in the mountains. She also happens to have noticeably… read analysis of Cussy Mary Carter

Pa (Elijah Carter)

Pa (Elijah Carter) and his daughter Cussy Mary Carter are the last of the Kentucky “Blue” Carters. Pa is a loving, sensible man, who cares deeply for Cussy and her safety. He does what he… read analysis of Pa (Elijah Carter)

Jackson Lovett

Jackson Lovett is Troublesome Creek’s most eligible bachelor, having recently returned to Kentucky from a stint out west where he helped to build the Hoover Dam. Jackson is thoughtful and well-read; unlike most of Cussy… read analysis of Jackson Lovett

Angeline Moffit

16-year-old Angeline Moffit lives with her husband, Mr. Moffit, on a remote homestead on Cussy Mary Carter’s library route. She is sweet, kind, and friendly; like Winnie Parker and Miss Loretta Adams… read analysis of Angeline Moffit

Mr. Moffit (Willie)

Mr. Willie Moffit is Angeline Moffit’s husband and Honey’s father. Like his wife, he doesn’t have any kin: he was an illegitimate child unrecognized by his father and abandoned by his mother. His… read analysis of Mr. Moffit (Willie)

Queenie Johnson

Queenie Johnson is the only Black Pack Horse librarian. Like Cussy Mary, she had to get the job from the regional office, since she faces racism and bigotry from library supervisors Eula Foster and… read analysis of Queenie Johnson

Harriet Hardin

Harriet Hardin is the assistant supervisor of the Troublesome Creek Pack Horse library project, working under Eula Foster. Although she loves books and reading, she is a cruel, harsh bigot who treats both Cussy… read analysis of Harriet Hardin

Sheriff Davies Kimbo

Sheriff Davies Kimbo is the lawman of Troublesome Creek. He tolerates Cussy Mary Carter and her Pa, despite his feelings that they are inferior because of their blue skin, because Pa is a good… read analysis of Sheriff Davies Kimbo

Vester Frazier

Vester Frazier is a local pastor the Troublesome Creek area who is related to both Charlie Frazier (Cussy Mary’s short-lived husband) and Sheriff Davies Kimbo. His followers include Harriet Hardin. Vester… read analysis of Vester Frazier

Doc

Doc is the well-respected physician of Troublesome Creek. He has long been fascinated with the Carter family; after Cussy Mary Carter’s mother died, he showed up at the family home to ask if he… read analysis of Doc

Winnie Parker

Winnie Parker teaches at the mountain school outside of Troublesome Creek. Her husband left the area to find work in Detroit, and she is waiting to be reunited with him. She is a friend of… read analysis of Winnie Parker

Henry Marshall

Henry Marshall is Winnie Parker’s star student at the mountain school. He’s hungry for knowledge and books, and he wins the school’s spelling bee. He’s also generous—he shares his prize with Cussy Mary Carter… read analysis of Henry Marshall

Devil John

Devil John Smith is a local moonshiner who lives with his wife, Martha Hannah, and their pack of children in the mountains around Troublesome Creek. Although he complains to Cussy Mary Carter that her… read analysis of Devil John

Miss Loretta Adams

Miss Loretta Adams is one of Cussy Mary Carter’s library patrons. She’s old and nearly blind, although she has a reputation as being one of the best seamstresses in the area. She appreciates Cussy… read analysis of Miss Loretta Adams

R.C. Cole

R.C. Cole is a 17-year-old patron on Cussy Mary Carter’s Pack Horse library route. R.C. has followed his family into the business of fire-watching and he lives alone in a tower, keeping an eye… read analysis of R.C. Cole

Oren Taft

Oren Taft is a middle-aged man who lives in an extremely isolated community, called Tobacco Top, miles outside of Troublesome Creek. Despite the hardship of his and his family’s existence, he is a kind and… read analysis of Oren Taft

Martha Hannah

Martha Hannah Smith is the wife of Devil John, the moonshiner. She has taught her brood of children how to read using the family bible and the reading materials that Cussy Mary Carter brings… read analysis of Martha Hannah

Mr. and Mrs. Evans

Mr. and Mrs. Evans are patrons on Cussy Mary Carter’s Pack Horse library route. Their son has moved to Nebraska where he is raising cattle, and occasionally Cussy Mary helps read his letters to… read analysis of Mr. and Mrs. Evans

Timmy Flynn

Timmy Flynn is only 11 years old, but he’s a faithful patron on Cussy Mary Carter’s Pack Horse library route. His mother won’t tolerate books from the government coming into her home, so Cussy… read analysis of Timmy Flynn

Charlie Frazier

Charlie Frazier is the only person who Pa can find to marry Cussy Mary Carter, since she is a “Blue” and is therefore reviled in their bigoted community. At 62, he’s older than Cussy… read analysis of Charlie Frazier

Eula Foster

Eula Foster is the head supervisor of the Pack Horse library project in Troublesome Creek. She joins Harriet Hardin in segregating Cussy Mary Carter and Queenie Johnson from the rest of the (white) librarians, but… read analysis of Eula Foster

Constance Poole

Constance Poole is the head of the Troublesome Creek Sewing Bee club. She’s a snappy, stylish woman who likes to stop by the center to gossip with Eula Foster and Harriet Hardin. She dislikes… read analysis of Constance Poole

Birdie

At just 18 years old, Birdie is the youngest Pack Horse librarian. Birdie is married, but her husband has gone to a distant city to find factory work. Although technically the librarians are only supposed… read analysis of Birdie

Aletha

Aletha is Doc’s Jamaican housekeeper; she is the only other Black person in Troublesome Creek besides Queenie Johnson and her small family. She displays the same amount of distrust and bigotry as many of… read analysis of Aletha

Minor Characters

Honey

Honey is Angeline and Mr. Moffit’s daughter. Because they both evidently carry the recessive gene for methemoglobinemia, Honey is born a Blue. This, in addition to Angeline’s dying request, inspires Cussy Mary Carter to adopt Honey and raise her as her own daughter.

Howard Moore

Howard Moore is a coal miner who worked with Pa, and who seems to have accepted Pa as a friend, despite Pa’s blue skin. He is present when Pa dies, and he brings Pa’s body home. Subsequently, he gives Cussy Mary Carter away at her wedding in Pa’s place.

Dr. Randall Mills

Dr. Randall Mills is the Black doctor at the hospital in Lexington with whom Doc examines and studies Cussy Mary Carter’s medical condition.

Comfort Marshall

Comfort Marshall is the mother of Henry Marshall. She lives in extreme poverty in the hills, and her family is slowly dying of starvation.

Ruth Beck

Ruth Beck begins as R.C. Cole girlfriend and then becomes his wife. She is proud of her husband and lives with him in his fire watchtower.