Shamrock McShane’s novel In Black & White & Color serves as a vivid time capsule. It transports the reader directly to the American mid-century. The story follows Daniel “Danny” Finnegan. He grows up in Oak Park, Illinois. This is a suburb of Chicago. The narrative spans his childhood in the 1950s through his adolescence in the turbulent 1960s. We watch Danny navigate the strict rules of his Irish-Catholic upbringing. He deals with family dynamics. His older brother goes to Vietnam. His younger brother battles epilepsy. The plot is not a straight line. It is a collection of memories. These memories mix personal struggles with massive historical shifts. We see the Kennedy assassination. We witness the Civil Rights movement. The book illustrates a boy’s loss of innocence and mirrors the nation’s loss of innocence.

I found the writing style to be incredibly distinct. It feels disjointed, which mimics the chaotic nature of memory itself. McShane uses a stream-of-consciousness approach, which keeps the pace fast. I felt swept up in the rush of names and places. The author lists sports figures and movie stars and mentions local landmarks. This creates a dense atmosphere that feels authentic. Sometimes the lack of structure was challenging for me. However, I think this serves the story well as it puts you right inside Danny’s confused mind. The transition from the black-and-white morality of the 50s to the complex technicolor of the 60s is handled well. I enjoyed the specific pop culture references. They made the setting feel alive.

The emotional core of the book struck a chord with me. It is heavy with guilt. Danny carries a profound weight on his shoulders. He worries about sin. He feels responsible for things out of his control. I appreciated the raw honesty regarding prejudice. The characters are not perfect. They use offensive language. They hold racist views. This was uncomfortable to read, but it felt necessary for the time period. It exposes the hypocrisy of the suburban “good life.” I felt sad for Danny as his heroes failed him. The sports stars fade away. The realization that adults do not have all the answers is painful. I connected with that sense of disillusionment.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy character studies. It is perfect for history buffs. If you are interested in the 1960s, you should pick this up. It captures the specific mood of that era perfectly. It is not a traditional novel. It is more like a collage. Fans of coming-of-age stories will find a lot to like here.

Pages: 284 | ASIN: B0G1LQQTX9