This book challenges the long held assumptions about the daily lives of slaves as it tells the story of four generations of women shackled by the bonds of slavery. Issa is snatched away from her African home and sent to America afraid and alone, but inspired by the desire to keep the memory of her destroyed village alive. She sees her apparent fortune dissipate into disappointment as her longtime relationship with her master’s son fails to deliver the security necessary to keep her promise to carry on the story of her people. 
Defeat is transformed into hope with the unlikely birth of her youngest child, Sophia. Sophia has the makings of an exceptional storyteller and an interest in knowledge that gives life to Issa’s never abandoned promise. Sophia manages to keep the story of her people alive and thriving despite the disinterest of her only child, Betty.
Though Betty lacks interest in the tradition, her daughter Katie has an innate passion for carrying the history of her people into future generations. Katie struggles to keep her African heritage alive as she endures the brutality of enslavement in America. As fate would have it, she will receive the means to realize Issa’s promise to her people and village.