Customer Reviews

Colorless Soul

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COLORLESS SOUL examines the complex issue of race relations in the North by tracing the author's family history after the Civil Rights War to the 1980s.

The author asks the question "What is White?" This is a question that cannot be easily answered. The state of whiteness is not simply appearance. In the United States, a person who has African American ancestry can never be white. To the world, he may appear to be white. However, under the doctrine of the one drop rule, he always will be African American.

The author eloquently demonstrates this point in the portrayal of her maternal grandfather Alex Bonner. Alex was raised by his white father and his family. As a young boy, Alex hated African Americans with vengeance. He wanted to have nothing to with black people.

At the age of 12, Alex is told the shocking truth about his heritage. Alex feels betrayed, because he has been living a lie. He does not want to pass for white. He is African American. He leaves his family and begins to live the rest of his life as a black man.

An equally compelling issue is the fact that men who fathered children by African American women denied the fact that their children existed.

The author's paternal grandfather was an Italian who lived in the North. He never acknowledged her father or his family. The Italian grandfather wanted to pretend that her father was never born and he did not exist.

This pretense is no better than her maternal grandfather's family who wanted her other grandfather to pass for white. What is worse? Denying your African American ancestry? Or denying that you are a father of a black child?

The author discusses the dynamics of growing up as a lighted skinned African American in a working class family. To some, she is privileged, because she has light skinned and straight hair. However, the reality is that she is African American; and she like dark skinned African American faces the ongoing struggle of racism. This is an inescapable fact.

COLORLESS SOUL is a moving and poignant novel. I would highly recommend this book.

I loved this story. It was engaging and very well written. At times it was almost like being a fly on the wall or growing up as one of Mary's sisters as the author made your privy to so much private family information. It appears that the author had alot of questions and was quite inquisitive as a child (who isn't!) And although there were specific names that the author couldn't mention in her book I believe that Colorless Soul is a wonderful piece of documented history that can easily be passed on to children and great grands regardless as to whether or not you are related to this author. It is wonderful to be able to get information from as far back as the author did. Color/shade/complexsion aside this book is a true testiment to ancestry! Simply thrilling.

Linda Dominique Grosvenor

A moving family saga through the eyes of a child.Mary takes you on a journey that pulls at the heart strings as you meet her family struggling in the face of adversity. Written with much wit ! Along with the pain you will be laughing as she quotes her Grandfather, Grandmother and other family members. She transports you back in time( wringer washers,ice boxes and 45's that cost .50) A touch in the lives of a family that remains strong.Mary tell's it like it is, What it was like growing up black, poor, light skinned, of mixed heritage and how society and social standard can deprive you of family and who you are because of racism.Hat's off to Mary for taking notes, listening with keen courious ears as a child and putting it all together as far as she could. This book is a piece of history, A memoir, an important diary to pass on to her legacy, who will for many generations to come be very glad she did. I read this book straight through, And I too only regret it had to end... so I'm waiting for the sequel as well.

I had a dream the other day, that I was in the livingroom of Mary Wilson, the
book's author. She served tea and Stella Dora breakfast cookies, as we sat
on her couch looking through her family picture album. I've never met
Mary's family, so I occasionally asked, "Who is this?" and "Oh, is this you
as a baby?" And with each reply, Mary reminisced on the scene in the
photo, and cheerfully told me a little bit of her family's history.

This dream occurred while reading Ms. Wilson's book, "Colorless Soul." Told in
conversation style and sewn with pictures along the way, the
background of Mary's relatives, unfolds the remnants of her past and present. The stories
heard as a child about the grandparents she knew, and those who are a
mystery, cross stitch through the chapters. We learn how her family mended
the frayed edges of racial tension and economic status with their loving
support. She seamlessly weaves the small delicate details of the 50s
and 60s, which could have easily been taken for granted, into the tapestry
of her life. And, thoughts of snow on an old grave embroider the finishing touch.

Mary Wilson transcribes the expressions of a griot into the written word. She should
be commended on creatively combining 80+ years of ancestors and events in
such a well organized and concise manuscript. Mary displays her black pride in the variety of family hues, from near white, and medium brown to ebony black. I recommend this book for all
born in this melting pot called America. Let's not let our dream of unity go to the grave. Let's live in the present as colorless souls.

Description: Expressions of a griot into the written word

I had a dream the other day, that I was in the livingroom of Mary Wilson, the
book's author. She served tea and Stella Dora breakfast cookies, as we sat
on her couch looking through her family picture album. I've never met
Mary's family, so I occasionally asked, "Who is this?" and "Oh, is this you
as a baby?" And with each reply, Mary reminisced on the scene in the
photo, and cheerfully told me a little bit of her family's history.

This dream occurred while reading Ms. Wilson's book, "Colorless Soul." Told in
conversation style and sewn with pictures along the way, the
background of Mary's relatives, unfolds the remnants of her past and present. The stories
heard as a child about the grandparents she knew, and those who are a
mystery, cross stitch through the chapters. We learn how her family mended
the frayed edges of racial tension and economic status with their loving
support. She seamlessly weaves the small delicate details of the 50s
and 60s, which could have easily been taken for granted, into the tapestry
of her life. And, thoughts of snow on a warm grave embroider the finishing touch.

Mary Wilson transcribes the expressions of a griot into the written word. She should
be commended on creatively combining 80+ years of ancestors and events in
such a well organized and concise manuscript. Mary displays her black pride in the variety of family hues, from near white, and medium brown to ebony black. I recommend this book for all
born in this melting pot called America. Let's not let our dream of unity go to the grave. Let's live in the present as colorless souls.

Reviewed by: Judine Slaughter
Express Yourself Books

I could feel the author's emotions as I read through this delightful book of memoirs. The pictures were very nice as well. The only disappointment one may possibly find with this book, is that it is not long enough, but it does not take away from the beauty of this book. I look forward to the sequel the author mentions possibly writing. I read the book in one day because it was that captivating, but I just felt the need for more. Even though this book is quick reading, it has a lot of valuable information. I could easily see this book as some sort of teaching tool at the college level on the topic of "race relations."
This book definitely gave me a lot to ponder and brought back memories of days gone by. It touched all of my emotions: I laughed and cried and could relate to many of the situations.