Color Of Water

Just finished the Color Of Water by James McBride. This is one of the summer reading books for the tenth graders. There are five possibilities and Color Of Water is one of them. A good read and very interesting literary techniques. For those interested in creative writing is might be worth the read. It is a biography and autobiography. The style is back and forth reality and interview. The sub title makes reference to a son's tribute to his mother. That definitely is part of it. But it is a bigger book than that. Although tribute to our mother is a very worthy topic.

It is the story about a determined woman, an immigrant, a white woman out of place in her white world who found a place in the black world. It is the late 40's and moves through the 50's and 60's - probably too quickly. But it really is not the story of the ages but a story about the people and in particular a mother, a woman, a daughter.

The author is male and it would be interesting to chat with a female who read the story. I sometimes thin men think they know the feelings of motherhood and what it feels like to be a mother, but I wonder. Could be some interesting class discussions about the male and female viewpoint and perceptive,

Good, thought provoking book. I would suggest keeping notes about your feelings more than about the story line. How do you feel going through some of those events?

Have a good summer reading the Color Of Water or one of the other books on the 10th grade reading list.

I am just starting The Once and Future Celt. Will post first impressions after a couple chapters.