Cane is a wonderful book. It was significant in its time for being a leading influence in the Harlem Renaissance. The form of the book was also praised; it was unique. To this day, it's considered one of the most significant books written by an African American author. It was called this because Toomer wrote of the African American experience as none before had. It wasn't, however surprisingly, a commercial success. It sold very few copies, even after all of the praise. The book was republished in the 1960s and has been praised as a classic since.