Reviews

The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt

nuhafariha's review against another edition

4.0

Set in the post Reconstruction South, The Marrow of Tradition is a Black comedy of sorts. With bitter irony, Chesnutt explores what happens when racial tensions escalate in a Southern town. The dramatic flourishes make this a book worth checking out!

ethanawang's review against another edition

challenging dark informative

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

allym's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

theresa__13's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

philip_bonanno's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Chestnutt is cleverly playing on fears of the time which I enjoyed. Like many books of this era, editing was a big issue.

jendiz71's review against another edition

4.0

*** read for seminar class 21’***

It’s was good , however, ending was very abrupt

shelbygilmer96's review against another edition

4.0

Historical fiction published in 1901 about the Wilmington race riots/coup d’etat of 1898.

This book has everything from a love triangle to family scandals to social commentary against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south. Both entertaining and educational.

ajordan60's review against another edition

4.0

Extremely well written, as all of Chesnutt's work tends to be. It is particularly timely given the current surge white supremacy in America. The novel feels rawer, closer to the cuff than anything else I've read by Chestnutt... So hard to believe the man lived, wrote, and experienced life over 100 years ago.

hannahcomer4d's review against another edition

4.0

This book should be more well-known, for it vividly portrays turn-of-the-century race relations without stereotyping either side. It's very balanced, with an interesting romance thrown in for good measure.

montybonty's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism