The Color of Water

A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

De: James McBride

Narrado por: JD Jackson, Susan Denaker

The New York Times bestselling story from the author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction.

Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? A self-declared "light-skinned" woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her twelve black children. James McBride, journalist, musician, and son, explores his mother's past, as well as his own upbringing and heritage, in a poignant and powerful debut, The Color Of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother.

The son of a black minister and a woman who would not admit she was white, James McBride grew up in "orchestrated chaos" with his eleven siblings in the poor, all-black projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn. "Mommy," a fiercely protective woman with "dark eyes full of pep and fire," herded her brood to Manhattan's free cultural events, sent them off on buses to the best (and mainly Jewish) schools, demanded good grades, and commanded respect. As a young man, McBride saw his mother as a source of embarrassment, worry, and confusion—and reached thirty before he began to discover the truth about her early life and long-buried pain.

In The Color of Water, McBride retraces his mother's footsteps and, through her searing and spirited voice, recreates her remarkable story. The daughter of a failed itinerant Orthodox rabbi, she was born Rachel Shilsky (actually Ruchel Dwara Zylska) in Poland on April 1, 1921. Fleeing pogroms, her family emigrated to America and ultimately settled in Suffolk, Virginia, a small town where anti-Semitism and racial tensions ran high. With candor and immediacy, Ruth describes her parents' loveless marriage; her fragile, handicapped mother; her cruel, sexually-abusive father; and the rest of the family and life she abandoned.

At seventeen, after fleeing Virginia and settling in New York City, Ruth married a black minister and founded the all- black New Brown Memorial Baptist Church in her Red Hook living room. "God is the color of water," Ruth McBride taught her children, firmly convinced that life's blessings and life's values transcend race. Twice widowed, and continually confronting overwhelming adversity and racism, Ruth's determination, drive and discipline saw her dozen children through college—and most through graduate school. At age 65, she herself received a degree in social work from Temple University.

Interspersed throughout his mother's compelling narrative, McBride shares candid recollections of his own experiences as a mixed-race child of poverty, his flirtations with drugs and violence, and his eventual self- realization and professional success. The Color of Water touches readers of all colors as a vivid portrait of growing up, a haunting meditation on race and identity, and a lyrical valentine to a mother from her son.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[A] triumph."—The New York Times Book Review

"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race."—The Washington Post Book World

"Inspiring."—Glamour

"Vibrant."—The Boston Globe

"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts."—Bebe Moore Campbell

Fantastic story

Wonderful true story. So inspiring by its profound humanity. Great performance with voice changes for every character. Loved every minute of it and recommend it highly.

The Color of Water

I liked the story. I was raised in a large family but with a mother and father. He We we’re farmers. Life was challenging but, because daddy and mommy showed so much authority and love we knew we were going to be fine.
This family had different challenges than our family. We were real practicing Christians. This mother overcame a lot but it was clear that because she had been accustomed to privileges she was able to continue to function in that manner. That of course was a survival Technique that helped she and her children.
Education motivates in so many ways. Loves help all people to overcome.

A Must-Read Book

The audible download was a “re-read” for me because this is my favorite book of all time. And the recording did not disappoint. James McBride is a truly gifted storyteller and writer. And this is a classic of modern American literature, while written in the last century, very timely for the 2020s!

exceptional mother & children story

absolutely loved it - the live for her husband's & children & pursuit of their happiness - just amazing story !

The best book ever

Fantastic heart warming, tragic, hopeful. Could not put it down. Would love to have met this lady.