Rhythms begins in the Mississippi Delta in 1927, introducing three incredible women: Cora, the matriarch of two generations; Emma, her embittered and troubled daughter; and Parris, her beloved and talented granddaughter. Both Emma and Parris are affected by Coras 75-year-old secret. ffectively examining the themes of love, family ties, prejudice, and social barriers, Rhythms deftly reveals the challenges of growing up biracial in America, the destruction born of family secrets and betrayal, and of dreams both reached and deferred. Ultimately, Rhythms is a novel that speaks to the power of love, hope, and forgiveness.