The book casts a critical regard towards accommodation, collaboration, and overall idealization of the French colonials.

[1] The novel was translated into English in 1962 and published by William Heinemann, London, as God's Bits of Wood.

Some are featured players—Fa Keita, Tiemoko, Maimouna, Ramatoulaye, Penda, Deune, N'Deye, Dejean, and Bakayoko.

The fundamental conflict is captured in two characters: Dejean, the French manager and colonialist, and Bakayoko, the soul and spirit of the strike.

The strike causes an evolution in the self-perception of the strikers; this is especially noticeable among the women of Bamako, Thiès, and Dakar.

When the men are able to work the factory jobs that the railroad provides them, the women are responsible for running the markets, preparing the food, and rearing the children.