A review by bedemissie
The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt

4.0

I read this for a class and it was on the syllabus as a counter to Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Marrow of Tradition is everything Uncle Tom's Cabin wishes it was and is a third of its length. It is an intelligent use of character tropes that explores how racism destroys everyone, white or black, and informs the public of an ugly and overlooked moment in American history. Plus, it's a genuinely interesting story with characters I actually feel for. They should use this in high schools instead of all the "classics" that involve white people writing Black history. If you are looking to diversify your reading or learn about racism in America, I highly recommend The Marrow of Tradition. I would also suggest buying the Norton Critical Edition because it has a plethora of context, research, and important historical information to go along with the story.