The novel explores the complex dynamics within an all-Black town in rural Oklahoma, founded as a sanctuary from racism and oppression. When a nearby convent, inhabited by a group of women who have sought refuge from their troubled pasts, becomes the focus of the town's unease, tensions escalate. The narrative delves into the histories of the town's families and the women of the convent, revealing themes of identity, community, and the often destructive nature of idealism. The book culminates in a violent confrontation, raising profound questions about love, morality, and the meaning of paradise.

The 5810th greatest book of all time