Split at the Root: A Memoir of Love and Lost Identity
Born in 1940, Catana Tully grew up in Guatemala. While she is black, she was raised by a white German couple who—while loving her and giving her every advantage—never formally adopted her. As she grew older, Tully was forced to confront her own privilege and alienation. Additionally, she worked to explore her past, reaching out to her biological mother's other children to learn about her mother, her father, and the strange circumstances surrounding her parenting. Tully, an able storyteller, relates an interesting, enlightening story, especially given the evolution of racial and cultural attitudes she witnessed during her lifetime.