The Color of Water

A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

By: James McBride

Narrated by: JD Jackson, Susan Denaker

The New York Times best-selling 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 12 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 11 siblings in the poor, all-Black projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

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. At 17, 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.

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 listeners 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.

©2014 James McBride (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[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)

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!

My New Favorite Book

I so enjoyed this book and love the way we saw his Mother and him come of age, figure out what they wanted, and not be defined only by their upbringing, neighborhoods, religion etc… His Mother was truly an amazing woman to break the bonds of her ancestry and be the person and be with the persons she wanted to be with. Beautifully written and performed. The only reason I didn’t give the book 5 stars for performance is a few of the characters didn’t quite sound like they should. The old Jewish man in Virginia, sounded more like an old black man, because of course the narrator is black. There is just a melody to many black voices. Not an accent but something deeper that I can just hear. I am a white southerner who grew up in a small, mostly blue collar town with many black people, so I know the sound, rich and melodic. In our small Texas town we also had a few Jewish families. The one I remember the most owned a convenience store! This was the 70’s and 80’s and I can’t remember any of the prejudices towards Jews or blacks being vocalized. I’m sure some were there but I never heard it. Lovely story that made me think and think!! Highly recommend!

Excellent Biography

The true story of an orthodox Jewish woman in the south who fell in love with an African-American man, converted to Christianity and raised 12 amazing children. The author is her eighth son, who goes on a quest for his roots. I’m Jewish, I’m not religious, and the religious component of this story didn’t bother me. Well-written and narrated, and an absolutely satisfying American story.

God is the color of water.

Beautiful tribute to a wonderful person, her steadfast Mother and husbands, and her amazing children. I had chills quite a bit reading it. Thank you, James, for sharing this legacy of Ruth. Truly awe inspiring.

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.

A worthwhile listen

I wasn't sure if I'd find this book interesting, but both the content as well as the excellent reading and impersonating skills of J. D. Jackson and Susan Denaker kept my rapt attention. Audible knows a reader can either make or break a book, and they have done well .

This story is a good study on the phenomenon of religion and how it deeply effects ones life for good or ill. It also shows the similarity of power that all religions have, and how fervently one can believe in them despite their often conflicting values, which aptly illustrates that it is our species built in superstitious predisposition that causes us to perpetuate it. While not based on reality or solid evidence, it has a strong cultural power that can make us happy or miserable, whether it be Protestant, Jewish or other.

This book is captivating

great presentation engaging fact field intriguing storyline narration is supreme storyline is superb I would recommend this book for easy listening to everyone the author possesses a charming and delightful sense of humor about the adversities that he and his family face through racial diversity tolerance and acceptance I initially needed this book for a college course called critical reading but since my class has ended I still enjoy listening to the book story line several times