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Summary: Query about character of mother
Review: Did I miss something: are we given any explanation for why the author's mother gave birth to so many? I'm not disputing the fact; I have no quarrel with motherhood. In view of the fact that 12 is a lotta kids, I ask myself "Why"? What did I miss?
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Summary: Excellent. A "must" read. Very inspiring.
Review: I am honored to have read this book. It is by far the best book I have read in a long time. It is realistic, honest, and believeable. I had no trouble relating to the characters. I "felt" as if I were "there" with them. James McBride's description of his growing up in his unusual family is painful yet inspiring. His mother loves all her children in her own way. Her childhood was not like most, but I believe that her upbringing (or lack of it) was the reason that she was able to raise 12 wonderful children and put them through college and beyond. Her focus was education and religion. I was so impressed that after all her children graduated from college that she got her college degree. This book was an inspiration to me, and I highly recommend it to all. Once I started reading, I could not put it down until completed.
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Summary: Enjoyable read - made me laugh and once, almost cry.
Review: This was a book recommended by my book club. I couldn't put it down; I finished it in three days. I found myself laughing out loud a few times. (Loved the stories about the children's sleeping arangements, the pets they had, and "Jesus wept.") Almost got teary eyed from the epilogue. I was fascinated in learning about McBride's mother; I can just image what it was like for HIM to learn about her life. Structurally, the two stories (McBride's and his mother's) interwoven, chapter by chapter, made for an interesting read.
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Summary: One of the finest books I have ever read!!
Review: Full of meaning and life, A book you can build upon. Took me to a higher place! Loved it!
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Summary: This was the most refreshing book I' ve read in a long time.
Review: This was the most, real, refreshing, interesting book I have read in a while. The way it explores the different sociology and psychology between these two family members who have lived such difference, yet similar lives, is incredible. I reccomend this book to anyone, regardless.
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Summary: One of the most inspiring and well-written books I've ever r
Review: James McBride offers his readers a remarkable story. By inter-twining his personal experieinces with those recounted by his mother, he paints an insightful portrait of the world his mother created - the one necessary for her survival and that of her children. Despite the difficulty of the path she chose for herself, McBride's mother keeps her focus on her faith and her children and helps each of them realize their potential. This book is so lovingly and beautifully written that I read it in one sitting, scarcely noticing that I was turning the pages and rapidly approaching the end of the book. The book has something to offer every reader and should be read by all.
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Summary: A Life of Circumstance
Review: I very much enjoyed THE COLOR OF WATER, although I think Ruth McBride was more thrown into her situation through circumstance than through any emotional or decisive choice. Ruth went "over to the black side", as the author calls it, because that was where she found the only unconditional love and acceptance she'd ever known. Born of an extremely disfunctional family, with a cruel, abusive father and an ineffectual mother, Ruth's first boyfriend and most of her friends and neighbors were black. Ruth found emotional shelter in the black world in spite of the prejudice of the era and the difficulty surrounding her choice. I enjoyed the alternating chapters, told from both the author's and Ruth's perspectives. However, I never felt I really knew Ruth, never learned why she had so many children, how she coped with their poverty, what toll the loss of her birth family had on her. And James' narrative felt incomplete at times, also. But the strength of this story stands on its own, and overcomes any dificiency in the telling. It's a unique life that is worth visiting.
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Summary: Very disappointing!!
Review: I read this book because of all the "hype" it got from people who had read and loved it. I was extremely disappointed to find a very lackluster rendition of this man's life. Although the story itself is a remarkable one, the writing was very mediocre. I was so surprised to learn the author was a journalist for this reason. I really think this story could have been written much more beautifully than it was. I wouldn't recommend this read to anyone since the essence of it can really be summed up in one sentence.
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Summary: Finally someone I can relate to!!
Review: I first heard about this book while watching the author, James McBride on Rosie O'Donnell. Immediately after that interview, I ran out to buy this book. Being a child of a black father and a white (Irish descent) mother, I was very excited to read about his experiences growing up bi racial and to read about how he dealt with adversity and to find out how they compared to my experiences. My mother had 4 children and eventually divorced my father, which left us in poverty. Although our situations were not exactly the same, I could definately relate to his experiences growing up with a white mother. I can recall one particular moment in my childhood when my mother came to dismiss me from school and the desk clerk asked to see her I.D. because she did not believe she was my mom. My mother went off the handle as you can imagine. I, on the other hand, was embarrased and wished she'd never come back to the school because she made me feel like a misfit. Through the years, my mother, like Mr. McBrides mother, taught us pride and self respect. She never wanted us to feel ashamed or embarrased or confused for not fitting into one particular "category". This book inspired me completely. I would love to meet Mr. McBride someday just to sit and talk. I recommend this book to every one I know and even people I don't!!! Thank you Mr. McBride!
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Summary: The Color of Water
Review: I am a high school senior at Deerfield High School, and throughout the years, I have been required to read many different books. I after reading this book, I have no doubts that this is one of the best books that I have ever read. It is a true story about the authors life, and the life of his herioc mother. This book taught me lessons that I will have for the rest of my life, and I would definetly recomend this book to anyone who would like to read a good book.
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