Buried in the archive for almost ninety years, Claude McKay's novel traces the adventures of a rowdy troupe of dockworkers, prostitutes, and political organizers. Set largely in the culture-blending Vieux Port of Marseille at the height of the Jazz Age, it features characters who are straight and queer, disabled and able-bodied, African, European, Caribbean, and American. While stowing away on a transatlantic ship, Lafala is discovered and locked in a frigid closet. The dancer loses part of both legs to frostbite. Thanks to a successful lawsuit against the shipping line, Lafala doubles back to Marseille and resumes his trans-African affair with Aslima, a Moroccan courtesan. With its scenes of Black bodies fighting for pleasure and liberty, McKay's novel explores the heritage of slavery amid an unforgiving modern economy.