Book Review: The Color of Water by James McBride

About:

The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride is a memoir of the author, remembering his white-Jewish mother and tracing her history. Mr. McBride is not only an award winning author, but a musician as well.

• 295 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Books
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159448192X

 

My rat­ing for The Color of Water — 4
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More Books by James McBride

Thoughts:

Several people have recommended The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride, finally I borrowed the book and started reading it. The author talks about his roots and researches the roots of his mother, born to an Orthodox Jewish family.

The book is told in two voices, one of Mr. McBride’s memories, the other is of his mother’s recollections of her life and childhood. Towards the end Mr. McBride visits his mother’s hometown to try and meet people who knew her before she moved away.

I enjoyed the history of Ruth McBride, the author’s mother, born as Rachel Shilsky to an Orthodox “rabbi”. Mrs. McBride converted to Christianity and her son had no idea that she was Caucasian and not just “light skinned”. Discovering that he is half-white was a revelation to the author and part of the book is him coming to terms with his mixed race.

I enjoyed reading the book, Mr. McBride certainly has a way with words. I command him for writing such a personal, difficult book and realizing that his mother left the world a better place than the one she was born in.

Buy The Color of Water from Amazon.com*
More Books by James McBride

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I borrowed this book.
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