Candy is a vivid and moving story of post-slavery life in the early part of the 20th century. The story takes place on a plantation along the Savannah River in South Carolina. Into the simple lives of the colorful and varied personalities on the plantation comes a visitor from Harlem, sowing the seeds of discontent by holding out glimmering promises of joy and plenty in the North.

The leading character of this story is Candy, so forceful and vibrant we cannot forget her. Around her personal loves and hates, her trials and triumphs, the story is woven.

The characters are genuine and real and sharply differentiated. Uncle Levi, the eloquent shepherd of the little flock; Sally and Jim, who dance like children in spite of their marital responsibilities. Rose, the gentle housemaid whose man has gone North; Dick Clay, the intruder from Harlem, Coon, the itinerant lover; and Candy herself, whose life binds the story together like a scarlet thread, are living people whose days are filled with work and love and play and bickerings with each other.

Candy is strikingly illustrated with six full-page portraits, drawn especially for the book by Rockwell Kent.