A Touch of Innocence

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An internationally known dancer, choreographer, and gifted anthropologist, Katherine Dunham recounts the chaos and conflict of her childhood following her mother's early death. In stark prose, she reflects on growing up in both black and white households, revealing the divisions of race and class in Chicago that shaped her young life. Her narrative captures one girl's struggle to rise above the turmoil of family and culture, showcasing her clarity, candor, and intelligence that propelled her beyond her troubled beginnings. The story is a compelling family chronicle, rich in physical detail that can be uncomfortably real. Dunham portrays her family members—the growing girl, her older brother, the ambitious father, and the kind stepmother—in deeply human terms. As their lives become increasingly entangled in hardship, readers are drawn into the unfolding drama with a sense of helplessness. Critics have praised the work for its extraordinary storytelling and emotional depth. The content is heartbreaking, yet Dunham's artistic skill prevents it from descending into self-pity. Her honest, searing, and graphic writing provides a poignant glimpse into the life of a gifted young woman navigating a racially mixed family in the American Midwest, making it a beautiful and sometimes discomforting read.