The Color of the Soul

The Penbrook Diaries #1

by Tracey Bateman

The story of an old woman's need for forgiveness, a young man's drive to succeed, and the history that links them both will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end. A Pandora's box opens when reporter Andy Carmichael, too light-skinned for acceptance by blacks and too dark-skinned for acceptance by whites, is sent to Georgia to interview Miss Penbrook, an icon of Southern literature. From her deathbed, the mysterious Miss Penbrook gives Andy journals that reveal a surprising twist--"her story and his own meld into one.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Christian Historical Fiction, Historical, Novels

427 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Tracey 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.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

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[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a mess. Too many storylines, and rather confusing narratives. This one was no favorite of mine.

[Deb Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[MrzTerrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 :)

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

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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[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Natalie Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Karla-Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Alice Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Debby Lindquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Louise Child · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[sharon peart · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Wanda Kornosky buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read!!!

[Sue Dawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but it had many grammatical and spelling errors that I found quite distracting.

[Eleanor Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy

It is a wonderful way to spend the day. The writing brings you into the story.very good I really like d it

[Lena Gambill · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Glenda Teeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[sandra lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

I was enthralled from the beginning. What a spiders web and how the characters all connected and suffered. Beautifully written bittersweet story. Wow

[Deb Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! Going to read the sequel too

[Mrs Caroline Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[TAMAYA · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.