A Lesson Before Dying : A Novel

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Summary: Nothing Could Prepare You More For Life
Review: Than death itself. Jefferson, wrongly committed for murder awaits his sentencing in a 6 x 10 cell. I have learned more about life through hearing a man die. The homecooked food will never comfort Jefferson from the haunting jingling of the shackles. A Lesson Before Dying opened my eyes and taught me how to prepare for death.

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Summary: The story is just a bit basic, but its not bad.
Review: A Lesson Before Dying didn't hold my intrest, however it was well written. I think I've read too many stories and seen to many movies that deal with similar subject matter. Many of these stories and films did a better job of getting the message across also.

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Summary: The magnificent ending is worth enduring the dull beginning!
Review: Overall, I would have to say A Lesson Before Dying is a wonderful book. It teaches lessons about love, family, life, death, and friends (just to name a few). I was quite skeptical at the beginning of the novel; it was dull, slow, and uninteresting. Luckily, I stuck with it and am glad I did so! Grant and Jefferson, characters within the novel, under went a change that is uncomprehendable. The book is remarkable simply by watching these two men rise to their full potential. I highly recommend every human being to read this striking novel. IT'S AWESOME!

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Summary: A wonderful novel about the issues concerning death row.
Review: A Lesson Before Dying was an action-packed thriller that left me hanging from the very beginning. It takes you through the EXCITING trials and tribualations of a young man stranded on death-row with only homecooked meals and a toilet with no lid. Gaines moved me in every chapter by taking me into Grant's life and the struggles he had dealing with Jefferson's inner fears. INTRIGUING! It was fascinating by showing how not only Jeffesron matured, but how Grant matured as he dealt with Jefferson's issues. A wonderful weekend get-away book!

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, for required reading.
Review: I was apprehensive when I started this book, and with good reason, I suppose. I was expecting it to be self-righteous and preachy (Oprah's seal of quality), and leave me feeling like a terrible human being, not even close to the level of the author. The first few chapters didn't offer much hope, either. But by the end, it had presented a well-written (though not groundbreaking) story of prejudice in 1940s Louisiana. The most effective passage in the book is Jefferson's diary, which could possibly stand alone as a short story (though I can't recommend doing that at this point). I will admit, after finishing it, my opinion of the book was much higher. I've little to complain about, though the author does have the nasty habit of repeating himself. Of course, if that bothers you, there's always the hope that a book on tape can bring.

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Summary: Leaves you wondering why
Review: A Lesson Before Dying, written by Ernest J. Gaines, is an interesting novel where the author pulls you into a world that could quite possibly be an actual situation in today's society. There is only one thought that this book left me with. Why the situation unfolded like it had. The entire plot is built up very well, but the idea that it is based on is perplexing to the reader. The ending is known from the very beginning but Gaines does an excellent job in making it very emotional.

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Summary: A Lesson Through Boredom
Review: This book wasn't written by Oprah, but it looks like it could have been--a sappy melodrama that attempts to pull the reader to judge through emotion--much like Oprah's talk show. The idea I do like: a black man is wrongfully convicted of a crime and controversy is to follow. The first and last chapters of the book I liked the most--they were more focused on Jefferson himself and how others felt--had the book been focused on that the entire time, I probably would have enjoyed the book. Instead, Gaines turns it into a psychological tug-of-war with Grant, having his mind switch back and forth about whether to help out Jefferson or not, barely focusing on the conflict itself. The paragraphs including Grant's aunt and girlfriend were what I think Gaines intended to be the emotional pull of the story, but that just kept pushing away the focus on Jefferson, sidetracking the storyline (this is what I think Oprah liked in the book). So, once again, I felt the story could have been SO much more, just that Gaines went for the wrong effect (whatever it may have been). I apologize if you think my review was boring--it reflects the book.

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Summary: Grant Wiggins struggles to become a man in the 1940's.
Review: Jefferson is a young black man who has been wrongly accused of a crime. His godmother's last wish is for Jefferson to die with pride. She asks her friend Lou's nephew to help her grant this wish. He is an educated black man from the south in the 1940's. He was well respected in the community and Miss Emma felt he was her best aid for saving Jefferson's pride. Throughout the book, Jefferson and Grant struggle to come to terms with themselves, as men. They teach each other about the imporance of beliefs, friendship, family, and choices. This book is a wonderful example of how a person can change his/her way of thinking thru a dramatic event in their lifetime. Grant Wiggins convinces Jefferson that his life was worthwhile and meant something to his godmother and others. Jefferson uses his death to set an example for others and Grant learns about the man he will someday become.

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Summary: Very engrosing book.
Review: A LESSON BEFORE DYING, by Ernest J. Gaines is a book you just don't want to put down once you start. Although it is a very sad story, it is also the truth. Unfortunately Jefferson was convicted of a crime he did not commit because of the fact that he was a black man. Gaines tells of the turbulations and toils of the hard life of living in Louisiana in the 40's. This book sure is a tear jerker but I would recomend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Grabbed my attention the whole way through - Excellent!
Review: In A LESSON BEFORE DYING by Ernest J. Gaines the reader is taken back to a small, Louisiana town in the 1940's. The opening scene of a courtroom quickly draws your attention to the conflict of the novel - a black man, Jefferson, wrongly accused of murdering a store owner during an attempted robbery. Jefferson was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time, and given the death penalty because of it. Just before sentencing, Jefferson is referred to as a "hog", which becomes a centralized idea throughout the story. The characters in the novel strive to turn Jefferson's opinion of himself being a "hog" into seeing himself as a man before the day of his execution comes. Miss Emma who raised Jefferson suggests that Grant, a teacher, visits Jefferson in jail in hopes of changing Jefferson's outlook. It is apparent that Grant is not too motivated to help Jefferson at first, but he grows to truly care about him. Throughout the story, the reader sees Grant and the other characters deal with many different kinds of conflicts - conflicts of love, religion, happiness, life and death. The ending of the book is somewhat predictable, but still has a great impact on the reader. The issues in the novel are disturbing, but true.