"The Color of Water" by James McBride is a powerful and moving memoir that tells the story of the author's mother, Ruth McBride, a white Jewish woman who married a black man and raised twelve mixed-race children in a predominantly black neighborhood in Brooklyn.
The book alternates between chapters that tell Ruth's story in her own words and chapters that tell James's story growing up in a household where race and identity were constantly at the forefront of their lives. Ruth's story is one of resilience and determination, as she faces discrimination and prejudice from both white and black communities but remains steadfast in her belief in the importance of education and hard work.
Through Ruth's story, James explores his own identity as a biracial man and grapples with questions of race, family, and belonging. The book is beautifully written, with lyrical prose that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from beginning to end.
Overall, "The Color of Water" is a poignant and thought-provoking memoir that explores themes of race, identity, and family with honesty and compassion. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of race relations in America and the power of love and resilience in the face of adversity.