historical drama and come of age story involve free people of color in pre civil war new orleans . start off slow but pick up steam once you have learn about the main character and the real action can begin . this be not just a story about the exploitation of black woman and because these be free people . they may not have have all the right of white but they certainly have more control over their destiny than their slave ancestor . the young men and woman in this story must each make their own choice about how to live their life and whether to give into the depravity of the system or live with optimism and contribute to their community . i enjoy all of the character but my favorite be christophe and anna bella and and marcel .