The Marrow of Tradition is a compressed epic and a political thriller. It spans two generations of whites and blacks whose blood and fortunes are entwined. The author surrounds these families with characters who are constantly negotiating their positions on the racial, social, and moral scales. In addition to a romantic subplot, there are moments of grisly comedy that make you feel you are witnessing a minstrel show from hell. The novel leaves questions which today remain unanswered.