“ This is a disturbing and engrossing tale of deep family secrets.”

― Publishers Weekly

In this fervent and heartfelt memoir, Valentine tells of coming of age in Pittsburgh, Pa. ,as the daughter of two white parents who refused to acknowledge an ethnicity hinted at by her appearance, and a family secret.

Early on, she clues in that she is “different” and even though her parents avoid the topic of race, others make note of her darker skin color (for instance, a school guidance counselor suggests she apply for a minority scholarship).

Valentine attends Carnegie Mellon University, and at age 27 she presses her mother on the details of her past; her mother claims she was raped at a college party by an unknown black man (though her recollection is vague).

The narrative moves fluidly between past and present as Valentine tries to make sense of the lies and misconceptions that have plagued her throughout her life.