The Boxcar Librarian
How reality inspires fiction
Introduction
The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes is a historical fiction book inspired by the events that happened in the wild west of Montana in the 1910s and 1930s. The book follows three protagonists; Colette, Alice, & Millie whose stories start in different eras. Colette’s story starts in the 1910s with her father as the miners in Montana fight the copper kings for workers rights. Alice’s story starts in the 1920s as she is fighting to open a boxcar library in Missoula Montana to provide those miners with books. Lastly, Millie’s story starts in the 1930s as a writer of the Federal Writers Project journeying to Montana to help finish the American Guide Series.
Brianna Labuskes does a wonderful job tying these three eras together into one tightly woven narrative. It is full of intrigue, drama, and good old adventure. All while showing us how books offer us a way to connect to each other and can be a guiding light for people who are depressed and need it most.
Quote from Alice
(page 263)
“[The Boxcar Library] was a powder keg.
This was a powder keg and a spark.”
My version of the ‘Box Car Library’ inspired by the designs of Donald Crews
What’s Inspiring aboutThe Boxcar Librarian?
There are many things to love about this story. Brianna Labuskes does an amazing job at making her readers truly feel and understand the world that Millie, Alice, and Colette live in. Her amazing eye for detail is on full display as she describes 1930s Montana and the struggles of the miners there. As well as the challenges that real writers and librarians had to overcome in that era. Labuskes beautifully weaves together all of these details from her research to give our three protagonists, and the world they live in, so much depth.
All of these characters feel like librarians. They feel like people who know books, who know the power of their stories, and know what stories will speak to individuals the best. These characters are written in such a way that makes you believe that they are experts in their fields, and we love competent characters.
The end of this book leaves you with the direct message that the world won’t change without intervention. Evil people will do evil things. The best way to combat that is to take an active role in spreading knowledge and understanding; To fight for those we care about and who need a helping hand.
One of the most impressive things about this book is that it is able to show three different ways that you can do this. Colette, Alice, and Millie all teach us, in their own unique way, that it is worth it to care and that evil isn’t inevitable. That’s awesome. Good people doing what they can where they can is what makes the difference; that’s a message I think we could all use more of today.
“It would hurt [the innocent people of Montana] who watched their loved ones work themselves to death...
[The bosses] wanted the masses to simply accept that evil was inevitable instead of something that could be stopped if the rest of them joined together to do so.”
Final thoughts
The awe inspiring historical authenticity of this story is so impressive. From Missoula's real-life Boxcar Library, Montana's miners strikes and fights with the Pinkertons, and the very real impact and politics of FDR's New Deal. By weaving these events into one coherent narrative Labuskes manages to tell a riveting story of how books inspire us, connect us, help us envision a better world, and better understand ourselves.
That is what is so inspiring about this book; the message that people matter, community matters, and you matter. Everyone deserves to be cared for and thought about, and that is a message we see repeated over and over again in this story.
So, if you haven't read it, this book is well worth the time in my opinion. Not only will you get a wonderful western, you’ll also get a fun history lesson, and three profound messages of resilience, exploration, and trust.
Thank you for reading!
I’ll see you at the next stop!
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