The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

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It's a hit!

A must read! This wonderfully written memoir is on one hand, a simple tribute to an amazing mom who raised 12 children who all went to college, but... (show more)

A must read! This wonderfully written memoir is on one hand, a simple tribute to an amazing mom who raised 12 children who all went to college, but on the other, a complex view of life in America (race relations, prejudice, religion, class). James McBride did a fantastic job telling the life of his mom by incorporating her own words an intertwing it with his perspectives as a child and then as a mature adult being able to recognize how her life and her parents affected his own. I feel like I'll always carry her richly woven experiences in my mind forever. Thank you James McBride for sharing your incredible family story! (show less)

 

 

by Lisa Franklin

No, it's a flop!

Maybe I'm used to reading books stamped with awards and metals, but this novel (to me) was sort of amateur. McBride spent more time talking about h... (show more)

Maybe I'm used to reading books stamped with awards and metals, but this novel (to me) was sort of amateur. McBride spent more time talking about himself, than something that I would find interesting. I found myself looking forward to the switch in person so I could hear more about his mother. The book could have been much shorter also; not all the information McBride provided was essential to the plot line and that is something that serves as a "pet peeve" to me. (show less)

 

 

by Kelly Balaban

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  This book is a wonderfully poignant memoir of a man who not only honors his mother but in the process finds himself through this journey of discovery. I am in an interracial marriage and this book strengthened my belief that my children need to learn about their heritage from both cultural points of view. In doing so, you not only accept the past of your parents and how it has shaped your family but it makes one stronger as we learn the struggles and celebrations our families have experienc... (show more)

  This book is a wonderfully poignant memoir of a man who not only honors his mother but in the process finds himself through this journey of discovery. I am in an interracial marriage and this book strengthened my belief that my children need to learn about their heritage from both cultural points of view. In doing so, you not only accept the past of your parents and how it has shaped your family but it makes one stronger as we learn the struggles and celebrations our families have experienced. My brothers and sister are all in interracial marriages. When James says," In running from her past, Mommy has created her own nation, a rainbow coalition..," I felt like he was describing my family and imagining that my own parents must feel that when we are all together. I met James McBride in November 2008 and heard him speak about this book to college students who were required to read this prior to coming to the univeristy. They (students) should be priviliged to be required to read such a tribute. This book is truly about our humaness and the strength and grace that God gives us to be able to handle the difficult circumstances in our lives. A must read! (show less)

   

  by Easter Finley on Feb 09, 2009 at 01:50AM

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  I actually had to read this book as part of a school assignment, which immediately put me off. I tend to not like required reading, especially at this stage in my life, but on an overall scale I was pleasantly surprised by McBride's abilities in writing. He told a wonderful tale, leaving me in some moments feeling completely overjoyed, and in other moments, completely saddened and repressed. Though it seems like the whole book could be dedicated to the issues between two races, McBride does a... (show more)

  I actually had to read this book as part of a school assignment, which immediately put me off. I tend to not like required reading, especially at this stage in my life, but on an overall scale I was pleasantly surprised by McBride's abilities in writing. He told a wonderful tale, leaving me in some moments feeling completely overjoyed, and in other moments, completely saddened and repressed. Though it seems like the whole book could be dedicated to the issues between two races, McBride does a wonderful job of making it and keeping it about his mother. The race card was blurred, but the picture of his mother was consistently clear at all times. Deep down, this book is about two of life's most important things: education and religion. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook-gebruiker on Apr 21, 2009 at 01:18AM

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