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Description
Author James McBride
Publisher Riverhead Books
Format paperback
Condition like new
Summary
The Color of Water is James McBride’s poignant and powerful memoir honoring his extraordinary mother, Ruth McBride Jordan, a white Jewish woman who raised twelve Black children in Brooklyn and Queens—most of whom went on to earn advanced degrees. Woven from two distinct voices—his own and Ruth’s—McBride’s storytelling is deeply human, sometimes humorous, often heartbreaking, and always honest.
Through dual narratives, McBride explores questions of identity, race, faith, and resilience. Ruth’s voice reveals her past as the daughter of a strict Orthodox rabbi, her escape from an oppressive home, and her eventual embrace of Christianity and the Black community. Meanwhile, McBride chronicles his own journey from confusion to clarity, as he navigates his mixed heritage and ultimately discovers the strength rooted in his mother’s fierce love and sacrifice.
This national bestseller is a testament to the power of maternal devotion, the complexities of racial identity, and the beauty of forgiveness and understanding. Ideal for readers of memoirs, multicultural narratives, and inspirational stories of overcoming adversity.