Reviews

The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt

julia1627's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

jaredpence's review against another edition

4.0

An interesting and revealing depiction of the 1898 Wilmington race riot (or massacre) where a North Carolina town's mostly black population was killed and frightened off by white supremacists to an extent that the city has not recovered over a century later. Major Carteret revealed his completely irrational white supremacist stand, Lee Ellis showed the complicity of well intentioned but weak willed onlookers, Tom Delamere proved the capacity for race based cruelty and criminality, Sandy and Dr. Miller demonstrated the frustrating powerlessness of black people, and Janet Miller illustrated the pain and brutality experienced by black people who endure shunning and hatred from relatives, not to mention theft and the murder of their children.

amissabellator's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Slavery, Child death, Police brutality, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Racism, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Gun violence, and Hate crime

Moderate: Infertility, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Medical content, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape

It is a book about racism post-Civil War, during the Reconstruction Period, and heavily features racially motivated mob violence (such as that perpetuated by the KKK

and Captain McBane was a member of the KKK whose horrific actions are described in the text

) and the incitation of such violence by members of the media. Often to frame Black characters as a "threat" to white society, characters will imply that sexual violence against white women is a motivating cause for white supremacy and this becomes an important detail in one plot (

specifically when Sandy is arrested for the murder of Polly Ochiltree, despite him being innocent

). No sexual assault occurs in the text, however. There is also a plot involving a sick child who must undergo a dangerous surgery to save their life

but the surgery does not occur

. A female character also suffers from infertility and this is said to be because of age and numerous unsaid illnesses (and results in nervous tendencies). This story can be an upsetting read, so go in prepared.

carissajl's review against another edition

challenging dark informative 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? Yes

4.0

goldendreams's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, and Racism

Moderate: Death, Child death, Classism, and Slavery

ruthoohing's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.25

myforeverwithin's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

specialkxb's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

5.0

jessmanners's review against another edition

5.0

I was worried it wouldn’t hold up…it’s a horrifying story, but he’s so good. I’m equal parts desperate to be able to teach this and terrified at the prospect…

milla_r's review against another edition

dark informative fast-paced

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

3.0