A Lesson Before Dying : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Once I went to a bookstore and wasted eight dollars.
Review: I am a student at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, and "A Lesson Before Dying" was required reading in one my English courses (this may be due to the fact that Mr. Gaines is the "writer in residence" at the school). First off, this book does not take place in a cajun community, it is actually of the creole which dates back to the old-south antebellum style of living. Secondly, I have never enjoyed a book less than I did this one. It's long, drawn out cry against racism is as dry as the Sahara, and I merely felt annoyance at the two central characters, Jefferson and Grant, for their reluctance to show feelings toward others than themselves. I'm sorry, but in all honesty, I cannot say that this book was a "masterpiece;" the only descriptive word to acurately describe it is "blech."

Rating:
Summary: pleasant
Review: I think the book was well written and brought intellegince to a reader. The auther used great detail to set the mood and climate of his era. It was touching and moving as if you were one of the many who obeserved the injustice

Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel, very moving
Review: I was 11 when I read this novel, and even then it completely touched me. I admit that it could have been written better towards the beginning, but once Grant began visiting Jefferson, I felt myself completely absorbed in the novel. Very touching. I was suprised to find myself subconciously grinning when Grant was grinning and burst into tears as I read Jefferson's journel entries at the end. It was an excellent book, and well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Could've Been Better
Review: I read this book thinking that it would be great. The main character, Grant, is an unfeeling person for half of the novel, and then miraculously starts to care for others. It was contrived. I just didn't believe it. The end of the novel should have been labeled "YOU NEED TO CRY." I didn't shed a tear, and I usually do when something is well written. I would not recommend this book to a friend.

Rating:
Summary: A Remarkable and Haunting Book
Review: This is a remarkable and haunting book that you want others to read so you can talk about it. Gaines' writing is majestic as it places you in a culture of dilemma and frustration. But, Gaines' brilliance is that he expects the reader to do some work to fully enjoy and grasp the book. You will have to dig down into your own character and experience to reconcile and explain the conflicts and emotions in this story. This is a book that parents should encourage their teens to read and then talk about what it says about heroism, faith, character, and compassion.

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre
Review: Interesting story, but the emotions become cliches at times and the writing is not as polished as one might hope.

Rating:
Summary: Very, very GOOD
Review: Only The Triumph and the Glory touched my soul as profoundly as A Lesson Before Dying. This book is a must read for anyone who loves great fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent. Superbly written. Top 10 on my list.
Review: All I can say is, I have never been one to be able to shed tears from reading a book. I'm much more visual and usually need a movie to do that. But this book had me absolutely sobbing at the end. A gripping, emotional and all too "real" novel about a man in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong color of skin and no education to release him of guilt. The last few chapters that included his journal were heart-wrenching. Gaines is a wonderful writer. This book should be a mandatory read in High Schools across America.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: This novel caught, then lost, then recaptured my attention. I can't say that I care too much for Grant. I definitely didn't like the way he treated his kids-or his girlfriend for that matter. Jefferson I was touched by and by his transformation. The last two chapters were by far the best part. But there were way too many pages to force myself through. But in all there is something to learn from Jefferson, I'm not too sure that Grant had.

Rating:
Summary: Very touching and vividly understood
Review: This was a very good book, I read it in my first year of college. It was touching yet truthful. It wasn't about a mentally challenged man because Jefferson wasn't mentally challenged he was not educated. I think this book was all about obligations to family and to your people. It's a good book and I plan on reading it again.