Baldwin's first novel, it draws heavily on his life and experiences. Set in 1930s Harlem, the frame story is of John's birthday and religious epiphany. But the day's events ate expanded on through the narratives of his parents and aunt, covering moments from the civil war forward.
Race relations underlie the story, but the main focus is faith, religion, and sin. The mastery of language is visible, but the audio narration is less than compelling.