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The Penbrook Diaries #1
The Color of the Soul
Andy Carmichael, a reporter given the chance to cover the story that will make his career, finds more than he bargained for within the pages of Miss Penbrook's diary. The Color of the Soul will keep readers captivated from beginning to end.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
138 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Bateman
60 books156 followersTracey Bateman is also published as Tracey Cross, is the Christy award-winning author of more than thirty titles and has nearly a million books in print. She lives in Missouri's Ozarks with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
August 15, 2013
This was an intricate story about a young man's accidental discovery of his heritage while recording the memoirs of an elderly southern woman. The story moves between the young black man's misadventures in the segregated south in the late forties and the story of a light skinned black women during the civil war and post slavery days. There are love stories that touch your heart and injustices inflicted on poor blacks and sympathetic whites that make you want to throw the book. Throughout you learn of the woman's struggle to secure a better place in the world for her son, the child of her master who is taken from her to be raised by her white mistress. Its a good story of people, good and bad during a troubling time in our history. The complex relationships will demand you to pay attention throughout. I reread several sections just to keep up with the plot twist. Enjoy
July 5, 2023
The Color Of The Soul is the first book in the Penbrook Diaries. Tracey Bateman weaves such a beautiful historical southern tale, rich in detail, and characters that are perfectly depicted. She had done a wonderful job of showing the realities of life during the period just before the Civil War to the advent of the Civil Rights Movement.
The book is set in 1948, but includes diaries from the 1800’s which also include several characters’ point of view. The author seamlessly moves from one era to the next and from one character to another. The author has a way of making the characters come to life. There are quite a few characters, but each has a very distinctive voice.
A very powerful story, and I experienced many emotions while reading it. This is a deeply moving saga that is painful, and desperately sad, yet manages to provide hope for a better future. The characters are complex and the journey to their awakening and self-discovery is a trip well worth experiencing.
You can follow me on
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Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
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The book is set in 1948, but includes diaries from the 1800’s which also include several characters’ point of view. The author seamlessly moves from one era to the next and from one character to another. The author has a way of making the characters come to life. There are quite a few characters, but each has a very distinctive voice.
A very powerful story, and I experienced many emotions while reading it. This is a deeply moving saga that is painful, and desperately sad, yet manages to provide hope for a better future. The characters are complex and the journey to their awakening and self-discovery is a trip well worth experiencing.
You can follow me on
http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
September 20, 2019
This book was a mess. Too many storylines, and rather confusing narratives. This one was no favorite of mine.
December 4, 2016
Great read!
A multi-generational saga of a black and white family set in the post civil war South. A story of inter-racial love forbidden by hatred, fear and violence.
I look forward to book 2 in this series.
A multi-generational saga of a black and white family set in the post civil war South. A story of inter-racial love forbidden by hatred, fear and violence.
I look forward to book 2 in this series.
November 5, 2011
i really enjoyed this book!!!!! im almst finished w/ book 2....if anyone cld recommnd othrs books like this (african american, slavery diary fiction) i wld greatly appreciate it :)
July 2, 2020
What color is love
As timely today as the day it was written. Come on book clubs!! Try this book ! Then be sure and write a review.
As timely today as the day it was written. Come on book clubs!! Try this book ! Then be sure and write a review.
February 23, 2016
I've had this book tucked away on my kindle for a while now. I got it as one of those freebies from an email. I decided to read it now because I just wanted a touch of history. I love historical fiction and books based in the time of and around the Civil War. If you love historical fiction then you will love this book.
This book follows a black man, a black slave woman, and the whites that ruled the world that they live in. It paints a very vivid picture of the subject of slavery. The good and the bad of this era can be seen in this book. A woman tries to find herself and protect her son and the man tries to reconcile with and find out about his past.
Honestly, this has been the best historical book I have read in a long time. I'm so glad I decided to read this. I will be reading the next book in The Penbrook Diaries....Stormi
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This book follows a black man, a black slave woman, and the whites that ruled the world that they live in. It paints a very vivid picture of the subject of slavery. The good and the bad of this era can be seen in this book. A woman tries to find herself and protect her son and the man tries to reconcile with and find out about his past.
Honestly, this has been the best historical book I have read in a long time. I'm so glad I decided to read this. I will be reading the next book in The Penbrook Diaries....Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
August 5, 2012
This story about several generations of the Penbrook family was well-written and held my interest throughout. It goes back and forth between two different eras, and realistically depicts the views on race that people in the north and those in the south held at different times, and also the tough choices that were sometimes made, rightly or wrongly. Though difficult to read in spots, readers can't help but examine their own racial viewpoints during the course of this book.
April 21, 2015
Excellent! Our soul to God is not black or white. Our soul either belongs to him or it doesn't. He does not look at the color of our skin.
The characters in this story captured my heart. I felt their struggles. Blacks living in a world that did not value them. Some did not even value themselves or where they had come from.
The characters in this story captured my heart. I felt their struggles. Blacks living in a world that did not value them. Some did not even value themselves or where they had come from.
October 14, 2024
I enjoyed the development of the lives of the two main female characters, Cat and Camilla. Their relationship reminded me of that of the two sisters in Sister of Mine by Sabra Waldfogel, although Camilla remains unnecessarily spiteful towards her adoptive sister until later in the story.
The unpleasant trope in American slavery historical fiction narratives of the mixed race female character being the sexually desirable one and the white woman being less attractive or retaining her purity is played out in this story. Thomas's unchanging feelings for Cat also feel increasingly unrealistic as the narrative develops.
I also felt that the side story about Andy and his wife trying to make their marriage work was a little tiring and not needed given the number of bigger storylines alongside the main one of him trying to get Ms Penbrook's story. As a historical fiction story, the author tried to get too many different contextual topics into the narrative and at times this created an overwhelming feel. For example, the terror of the KKK, passing as white, sexual abuse, consensual relationships between slave and whites etc. Shaw is a lovely character but felt very undeveloped and there purely to direct Cat's decisions. The outcome of Cat's eldest son felt really rushed and unexplained. He was certainly a product of the environment he was raised in, and his sudden u-turn made no sense, particularly given the control white men had to be with any slave woman they owned along with their 'legitimate' wife.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but it would have been better if it focused more closely on fewer historical topics and deepened the issues of racial 'passing' and embracing one's real identity.
August 21, 2018
Although it was a bit difficult to keep up with the characters and their relationships to each other (mostly because of the wide time-span between storylines), I found the story compelling and ultimately somewhat surprising in the end. I liked how the author set up the story and the manner with which the secrets unfold. As a Christian, I appreciated the inclusion of several characters who were strong in their faith. This point was made in a very legitimate fashion and didn't feel contrived.
The overall message of the book was about the role of a person's color in society, starting in the Civil War era up to the late 1940s. It caused the reader to consider the role of color even now. And ultimately the question of the title must be answered: What color is your soul? And does it matter?
The overall message of the book was about the role of a person's color in society, starting in the Civil War era up to the late 1940s. It caused the reader to consider the role of color even now. And ultimately the question of the title must be answered: What color is your soul? And does it matter?
November 9, 2016
I'm sure this book covered historical facts of what it was like to be in the US whether the skin was black, white, coloured in between. To me it was emotional story reflecting back over ones life and asking someone to write the memoirs. Finally finding his connection. Certainly a different story today with different races marrying and having children born of a new shade of skin colour but I guess from this story the child today has to choose which colour he/ she is inside.
August 14, 2018
Amazing story
Anyone of African American heritage knows the struggle of light skin vs. dark skin; the feeling of hatred because of your skin tone; the feeling of fear of being in the wrong place. The stories as told by Andy and the diaries weave a tale of love, hatred, jealousy and sacrifice. Each of the characters touches a part of the heart and in the end, the story brings them all together. This was an excellent read!
Anyone of African American heritage knows the struggle of light skin vs. dark skin; the feeling of hatred because of your skin tone; the feeling of fear of being in the wrong place. The stories as told by Andy and the diaries weave a tale of love, hatred, jealousy and sacrifice. Each of the characters touches a part of the heart and in the end, the story brings them all together. This was an excellent read!
November 19, 2017
I really hate racial slurs and there are some in this book. I understand why the author put them in there. This is historical fiction that deals with racial issues. I know the author put those in there to make it realistic. Still don't really like that part. But other than that this is a good Christian historical fiction book and it held my attention all the way through.
July 13, 2017
Heartwarming
I have read several novels about the Civil War and Slavery. This perhaps the best. I was completely enthralled with the story and where the twists & turns took me. It was a wonderful journey .
I highly recommend and look forward to Book 2.
I have read several novels about the Civil War and Slavery. This perhaps the best. I was completely enthralled with the story and where the twists & turns took me. It was a wonderful journey .
I highly recommend and look forward to Book 2.
December 7, 2017
This was ok
The book was an easy read .It wasn't particularly original , trying to be a warped family saga .The ends were all tied up neatly,marriage saved ,the right people dying ,finding god etc .I won't read the next in the series.
The book was an easy read .It wasn't particularly original , trying to be a warped family saga .The ends were all tied up neatly,marriage saved ,the right people dying ,finding god etc .I won't read the next in the series.
February 10, 2022
Story Honestly Captures The Horror of Prejudice
I can't write much except don't read this book if you can't handle the realities of being born black.
A well written & honest presentation of black history from the late 1800's to the 1950's. Story well told
I can't write much except don't read this book if you can't handle the realities of being born black.
A well written & honest presentation of black history from the late 1800's to the 1950's. Story well told
July 10, 2022
Awesome read!!
This is a must read for historical fiction lover's! I was hooked fairly early on and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters of this story and learning about their lives. Many twists and turns. I am excited to see what the next book will bring.
This is a must read for historical fiction lover's! I was hooked fairly early on and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters of this story and learning about their lives. Many twists and turns. I am excited to see what the next book will bring.
July 21, 2018
One of the best books I've ever read!!!
April 26, 2020
What A Wonderful Story
Wonderful but heart breaking at times. Shocking to think of the terrible racism of that time. Sad that a lot still remains to this day.
Wonderful but heart breaking at times. Shocking to think of the terrible racism of that time. Sad that a lot still remains to this day.
March 23, 2021
Not a bad read, but it had many grammatical and spelling errors that I found quite distracting.
May 13, 2021
Happy
It is a wonderful way to spend the day. The writing brings you into the story.very good I really like d it
It is a wonderful way to spend the day. The writing brings you into the story.very good I really like d it
July 7, 2021
Could not put this book down because I wanted to see how it all came together and how it ended. Liked it so much I ordered the sequel when about half through. Can’t wait to finish it now.
August 22, 2021
Loved this book.
September 7, 2023
Loved it!
The characters were so real. History well told. God recognized for Who He is. So thankful for the recognition that all people are created equally.
The characters were so real. History well told. God recognized for Who He is. So thankful for the recognition that all people are created equally.
February 17, 2024
amazing
I was enthralled from the beginning. What a spiders web and how the characters all connected and suffered. Beautifully written bittersweet story. Wow
I was enthralled from the beginning. What a spiders web and how the characters all connected and suffered. Beautifully written bittersweet story. Wow
May 23, 2024
An outstanding read of hatred and bigotry in our southern states. Shocking, and yet, an example of what is even happening today in our country. Very, very sad.
November 14, 2024
Loved! Going to read the sequel too
January 18, 2025
Page Turner and felt all emotions
Loved this book,read it in 2 sittings...written so well and I felt every emotion from anger,fear, a sense of unjust and hope. Highly recommend!
Loved this book,read it in 2 sittings...written so well and I felt every emotion from anger,fear, a sense of unjust and hope. Highly recommend!
April 10, 2018
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. It had many twist, turns & lessons to take with you throughout life. I’m proud to be who I am unapologetically.
I really enjoyed this book. It had many twist, turns & lessons to take with you throughout life. I’m proud to be who I am unapologetically.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews