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

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

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

James McBride’s "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" is a profoundly moving memoir that delves into the complexities of race, identity, and family. This dual narrative weaves together the life stories of James and his mother, Ruth McBride Jordan, revealing a tapestry of resilience, love, and extraordinary fortitude. The book is as much a tribute to his mother’s strength as it is an exploration of McBride’s quest for self-understanding within the context of his biracial heritage.

The narrative alternates between James’s perspective and Ruth’s own recounting of her past. Ruth, born Rachel Shilsky, was the daughter of an Orthodox Jewish rabbi in the early 20th century. Her story is one of escape and reinvention; she fled her restrictive, oppressive upbringing in Suffolk, Virginia, to embrace a new life in Harlem, where she married a black man and converted to Christianity. Ruth’s journey is marked by her fierce independence and unwavering determination, qualities that would later define her role as a single mother to twelve children.

James McBride’s chapters illuminate his struggles growing up in a large, impoverished family in Brooklyn and Queens. As a child, he grappled with questions of racial identity, feeling the weight of his mother’s whiteness and his own blackness in a society that often saw them as incompatible. His reflections on his childhood are poignant and candid, capturing the confusion and curiosity that came with being a biracial child in a racially divided America. McBride’s prose is lyrical yet unpretentious, making his journey deeply relatable and human.

One of the most compelling aspects of "The Color of Water" is the loving yet complex relationship between James and his mother. Ruth’s character comes alive through McBride’s vivid descriptions and her own voice, which is sharp, witty, and unapologetically honest. Her indomitable spirit and unwavering faith are the cornerstones of the family’s survival and success. Despite the numerous hardships she faced, including the loss of two husbands and raising twelve children on her own, Ruth instilled in her children the importance of education, faith, and self-respect.

The book is also a powerful commentary on the fluid nature of identity. McBride’s journey toward understanding his own identity is intricately tied to his mother’s past and her decision to transcend racial and religious boundaries. Through Ruth’s story, McBride explores themes of transformation, redemption, and the profound impact of family legacy. The title, "The Color of Water," symbolizes the transcendence of racial categories, as Ruth often told her children that God is the color of water—neither black nor white, but reflective of all colors.

"The Color of Water" is a testament to the enduring bond between mother and child and the transformative power of love and faith. James McBride’s tribute to his mother is both a personal memoir and a universal story of overcoming adversity and embracing identity. The book’s rich narrative, emotional depth, and insightful reflections make it a timeless piece that resonates with readers across generations. It is a celebration of the human spirit and a reminder of the complexities and beauties of our shared humanity.

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