THE COLOR OF WATER, by James McBride

                         

Biography/Autobiography -- 5 stars

Rachel Shilsky, a young, Jewish woman escapes her abusive home life in Virginia and flees to New York where she marries a black minister, and when he dies, another hardworking black man.  Her indomitable spirit is the core of a family of 12 mixed race children.  This is her story, a story of chaos, love, and survival, told by one of her sons. ----- I know I am really late to the party on this book, but am surely grateful to have finally arrived.  Mr. McBride's story is so honest and raw that it cannot help but touch the core of any feeling human exposed to it.  Alternating his own memories with the words of his reluctant mother, their story moves quickly, while still leaving time to savor each success and to feel their anguish at each setback.  A real story, told by the real people who lived it.