Meeting of the Waters

by Kim McLarin

Book Overview

During the Rodney King riots in L.A., reporter Porter Stockman is nearly beaten to death by rioters. His savior: Lee Page, also a reporter, who soon lands a job at the same Philadelphia newspaper... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688169058
• ISBN13: 9780688169053
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

One of the most intelligent books on human relationships.

This novel is so far the best I have read on the subject of race relations and interracial romance. Some critics of interracial romance genre gripe about how the white male characters come off too eager to be with the black woman, who in turn, does not trust the relationship wholeheartedly until she is romanced in a such a fantastic way that it comes off unrealistic. McLarin does not spin this type of fairytale into the romance of Lee and Porter. It is honest, at times, brutal, about the reality of race and how it affects an interracial couple.Ms. McLarin has such a smooth, lyrical way of writing that the language comes off in a beautiful, bittersweet way. It reflects the dilemma the characters are facing w/their love for each other and the demons they are wrestling inside of themselves. A tender, beautiful read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an intelligent, honest account of interracial romance that goes beyond "jungle fever".

Highly Recommend

Kim McLarin introduces us to Porter Stockman and Lenora (Lee) Page. Porter and Lee meet in Los Angeles on the day of the Rodney King verdicts. Porter, a white journalist from Philadelphia is at the center of what is to become oneof the most infamous days in history.....the Los Angeles Riots. He is trying to get the story for his newspaper and ends up getting beaten. Lenora, who is also a journalist saves him from his attackers. She helps him to safety and then just as is she was never there....she disappears. Fast forward a few monhs later....Lee decides to take a position at a Philadelphia newspaper....the same newspaper where Porter works. Porter is smitten with Lee and pursues her relentlessly. Lee, who has never crossed the color barrier is at first put off...doesn't want to go there. After some time Porter begins to win her heart and the romance begins. Kim McLarin writes a very thought provoking and true to life story. I enjoyed the storyline and am looking forward to reading more from Kim McLarin in the future.

The best of its kind, highly recommended

This exquisite and richly drawn story provides a realistic and moving account of the challenges that a black woman and white man face when they try to forge a romantic relationship: one that isn't always accepted by society, one that is even sometimes questioned in their own minds. Lee is an African-American journalist from Baltimore. Intelligent, independent, and attractive, she witnesses the thrashing that Porter, a white reporter, gets from revelers while he's trying to cover the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. Lee steps in, rescuing him from further harm. Porter never forgets her, wants to see her again. When Lee applies for and gets offered another job in Philadelphia, at the same newspaper in which Porter is employed, he is elated to again cross paths with a woman who not only rescued him, but who subsequently amazes and charms him. With persistence he becomes a friend, then a lover. And with time, Porter examines his motivations for loving a black woman like Lee, a love that he justifies, a love that torments him.Meeting of the Waters is a pure joy to read. At times funny and reflective, it is the consummate novel, one that provides a balanced viewpoint from both white and black perspectives. The characters are living, breathing, fascinating and passionate. Lee's love for Porter and vice versa is believable, and no matter how hard you might be tempted to frown upon their relationship, just because, you cannot. The author's style is conventional yet has a certain rhythm, a hard softness that gives the reader a delicious journey they'll want to savor. And the conclusion? Perfect, not fairy tale, not predictable, but a satisfactory conclusion to a superb and commendable story.

Great Characters, Great Novel

I truly enjoyed this novel, even though I generally prefer non-fiction to fiction reading. The story takes place in the context of recent events that defined racial and cultural lines for many americans (the Rodney King incident and its aftermath), and the characterization of this powerful relationship between a white man and an african-american woman feels very real. They each demonstrate their humanity and as a couple they struggle with not only differences in their backgrounds but also the extent to which they SHOULD struggle with them. The writing is clean and without pretense and allows the reader to think through and decide for him/herself what to think about the issues described. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading this fine work over the last two weeks, and like many good works, it also provoked me to think about broader issues. I look forward to reading Kim McLarin's other work!

way to go, kim

probably the truest book i've ever read about interracial relationships. mcclarin, through her characters, expresses her thoughts on the subject with honesty and clarity. Porter and Lee meet during the l.a. riots when lee saves his life. porter rediscovers her at a newspaper in philadelphia. he can't seem to get this woman out of his head, so he goes after her. lee is the tough, independent, intelligent black woman who has kept men at arm's length in her relationships. she has never even thought of dating a white man until....both characters are dynamic and the prose is sterling. we see them come together, fall in love, discover their insecurities, hangups and prejudices. lee was honest; it bothered her to see black men dating white women, but she lowered her defenses to let porter into her life. i would have to disagree with mcclarin: i don't think black women and white men catch as much hell for being together as white women and black menof course, porter and lee get the usual opposition, " the guess who's coming to dinner type scenes." I like porter because he didn't come off as some white liberal saint; he had issues, he wasn't perfect, but he worked through them. love doesn't conquer everything, but it brought porter and lee togethe