Set in the racially charged South during the Depression, the novel follows a young girl and her older brother as they navigate their small town's societal norms and prejudices. Their father, a lawyer, is appointed to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, forcing the children to confront the harsh realities of racism and injustice. The story explores themes of morality, innocence, and the loss of innocence through the eyes of the young protagonists.

This novel serves as both a sequel and a companion to a classic American story, exploring the complexities of racial tensions and personal integrity in the 1950s South. Set two decades after the events of its predecessor, it follows a young woman's return to her Alabama hometown from New York City to visit her aging father. During her stay, she confronts both personal and political issues, grappling with her father's attitudes toward race and her own feelings of disillusionment. The narrative delves into themes of moral growth, the clash between a more progressive society and traditional Southern values, and the painful process of challenging one's idols and ideals.