The book detailed slave life in America but also touched on the life of white indentured servants. Much of the story line revolves around the mores of the time and those things which were happening but never discussed. It brought home the isolation that both blacks and whites felt living on plantations. There were many supporting characters to remember so at times I would have to write out a list to keep them all straight. Interesting to me as I'd never read a book that detailed both slavery and indenture.