RATING 
This book basically combined the author’s perspective with that of his mother, Ruth McBride, to form one story. It begins by giving background information of Ruth, who came to America when she was only 2 years old. She spent all of her childhood traveling around with her family so that her Jewish father, Tateh, find a job as a rabbi. When Tateh finally gave up, the whole family settled in Suffolk, Virginia, where they start a small store. Tateh constantly overcharged the customers and made racism remarks whenever possible. Ruth didn’t want to recall her childhood to her children because Tateh sexually abused her and forced to work on the family store everyday. The situation became worse when Tateh cheated on her mother. Sam, Ruth’s brother, who couldn’t withstand his
Cover of "The Color of Water"
father’s behaviors, left home and soon after when she was pregnant, Ruth left her family to go to New York. After she left, her parents no more considered her as their daughter because she abandoned Judaism. She promises her little sister Dee-Dee that she would return to Suffolk, but ultimate failure leads to complete alienation from her family. When Ruth gets to Harlem, she marries Dennis, and converts to Christianity. They build a church together and have eight children together, but before James McBride was born, Dennis dies of lung cancer. When she was desperately looking for help to support her eight children, she meets Hunter Jordan and marries for the second time. Eventually, they have four more children. Throughout the book, James is greatly influenced by Ruth. Ruth always emphasized on the importance of education, Christianity, being independent etc. James eventually became devoted to religion and worked hard on jazz music and writing in order to enroll into Oberlin College. The book ends by a festive gathering, where every member of Ruth’s family, including the grandchildren, get together.
James McBride with his mom, Ruth McBride
I enjoyed reading this book because I was able to learn about how it is like to “survive” as a white woman in a African American society. At first, I thought this book was going to be very boring and typical like other books on cultures of African Americans. However, this book had its own taste and interesting detailed which kept me reading this book until the end. The fact that this is based on a true story left me astounded and inspiring. I want to recommend this book to people who like to read stories which discreetly explain what it was like to live under abusive parent and to get separated from a family at a very young age.
The writing style of this book was very intersting because the book was divided into two people’s perspective, but at the end, it converges into one flowing story. For example, when Dennis died, one chapter was dedicated to Ruth, who mourned for days of her husband’s death. The next chapter was from Jame’s point of view. He grieved for his father’s death, but at the same time he became uncertain of his identity. By looking at one event from two different viewpoints, it was easier to understand their introspection througly. Also, since this book was an autobiography, the author used colloquial language which made it even more easier to understand.
The author James McBride was born in 1957, as the eight child out of twelve. McBride graduated from Oberlin College in music composition, and later received a master’s degree in journalsm in Columbia University when he was 22 years old. Before writing books, he published his writings on variety of magazines: The New York Times, People, Chicago Tribune, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, etc. After he published The Color of Water, he wrote many other books including Miracle at St. Anna and Song Yet Sung. Miracle at St. Anna was just produced as a movie in September 2008. He now has his own site, listing all his books and accomplishments as both a writer and musician.
- James McBride’s third book
