Book Reviews

The Color of Water by James McBride

James McBride’s biography The Color of Water is a touching tribute to his mother, Ruth, and to her remarkable story. Ruth was an enigma to James when he was growing up. Raising her 12 black children in Harlem under difficult circumstances, she had always told her children that she was just “light-skinned”. It was not until McBride reached adulthood that he realised his mother was a actually white woman raising a black family in a black neighbourhood and became curious about her story. McBride finally starts to draw the secrets of Ruth’s remarkable past from her. That she was Jewish. That she lived in Virginia. That her father was racist. That her father brutally abused her. That she had a black boyfriend. And how that changed her life. As he writes the book, McBride intersperses details of his own life, a troubled relationship with his mother, drugs and delinquency, acknowledging that the pain caused by Ruth’s past and her secrecy had consequences for her children. Nevertheless, this is a compassionate, respectful and loving biography. McBride comes to see Ruth not just as his mother, but as a woman, a survivor. A thoughtful examination of race and relationships. I highly recommend this book.

Melanie Ryan Program and Communications

The Color of Water by James McBride
Membership

When you join SMSA as member, you get a wide range of benefits.

Access to the SMSA Library

We are home to a unique collection of books, a highlight being our Mystery and Crime section.

Able to borrow from the Tom Keneally Centre

We are honoured to be the home of Tom Keneally’s personal collection of books, many of which have been used as research for his own works.

Access to member only events

Join a members group, share your passions, learn new skills, make new friends and get involved.

Access to member only activities such as members groups

We provide a variety of member only events, these are relaxed social occasions to have fun and make new friends.

Join as a Member

Subscribe to stay up-to-date