A Lesson Before Dying : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book to Read!!!!!!!
Review: Ernest Gaines's novel "A Lesson Before Dying" is a book that will keep you wanting more. At first, I was having a hard time understanding it because each chapter was leaving me hanging. I really admire how Gaines put Jefferson's diary in the story. This story takes place in a small Cajun community in the 1940's. Jefferson, is a young black man who really doesn't know anything. To make a long story short, Jefferson was picked to do something at the wrong place at the wrong time. He is convicted of a crime that he didn't comitt, so he is sentenced to death. The story talks about how Jefferson spent his last days in jail. But some people in the story thought he was a hero. Other than that I really enjoyed reading this story.

Rating:
Summary: A meaningful story.
Review: I could not put this book down, although the subject is a difficult one. I admired the women in the story. They were so proud and willing to do anything to help their loved ones. The teacher bothered me at first. But then I realized he was having feelings that any human can have. A moving and inspiring story!

Rating:
Summary: Let the man in jail speak.
Review: This book contains some imaginery we've all seen elsewhere, some characters that are too stereotyped to be real and a style that is somewhat like a chant with endless repeption as the ultimate poetic resource. But two things stand out inmediately, the message and the voice of the jailed man, Jefferson. The things that Jefferson says are the real engine of the book, they are poignant and they are raw. Even someone as illiterate and brutalized as Jefferson, is capable of taking command of his life and turning it around against all odds. Through the help of one of his peers : the professor. Also the professor, by undertaking a task that he doesn't want at the beginning, comes to the realization of how to really make a life happen instead of repeating the errors of the past, the irresponsibilities of humanity (any humanity, not just black) against itself. I say any humanity because the book also shows the weak foundation, or "myth" upon which the whites in the book also survive. The scribblings of Jefferson in jail are the core of the book and I recommend it if only for that.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding however, not flawless novel.
Review: A " Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest J. Gaines is a powerful and moving book. It's realistic insight on black suffrage,in Louisiana in the 1940's, keep a readers full attention. I thought that the religious symbolism that Gaines uses was innovating. His comparison of Jefferson's character to that of Jesus Christ was very insightful. Gaines also uses descriptive writing to explain different situations and express various characters throughout the book. This use of descriptive writing makes the novel interesting and easy to read. The only aspect that prevents this novel from achieving five stars is Gaines' tendency to not flow from chapter to chapter. It seems that every chapter begins to present a new idea instead of continuing with where the previous chapter left off. One example of this is in chapter 19 throughout the chapter he writes of this "lone gift against the tub of dirt"(p.151) but yet throughout the rest of this story nothing is ever mentioned again about this gift. Although this book does have this one flaw, it is definitely worth reading. One of the best books I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: The characters and feelings are profoundly real.
Review: Ernest Gaines writes with such believably real characters that the reader barely wants to put the book down before finishing. I like his old-timey southern setting, very similar to the atmosphere in A gathering of Old Men. I could "see" the action and almost "hear" the voices while I was reading. I felt Grant's frustration. I wanted to reach out and talk to Jefferson myself. I, too, realized a lesson: that straddling the fence on feelings is a dangerous position. This story could have happened in real life, not just in Gaines book; he grips your attention from beginning to end.

Rating:
Summary: A very discriptive and vivid classic story
Review: A Lesson Before Dying is a touching classic novel that keeps the reader actively interested. It is about the life style of people living in Louisiana during the 1940s. In a Cajun community, blacks and whites are segregrated from schools and living environments. The oppressed African Americans, are holding employment for the most part, at plantations and have limited resources. A young man is about to die electrecuted because he was convicted of committing the murder of white store keeper. Unjustice is done by convicting Jefferson, who is called a "hog". The public deffender tries to get Jefferson free of crime , however, the white jurors decided that Jefferson was guilty of murder. Grant Wiggins, the school church teacher is trapped in a serious situation. He hates his profession but loves his people. Most of all, he loves Vivian. Grant wants to leave the "quarter" and would like to relocate to a better area but is unable to because Miss Emma and Tante Lou want him to "make Jefferson a man before he dies." Grant strugles to shape Jefferson into a brave man and succeedes. Jefferson walks with pride to the electric chair. His death symbolizes heroism and brings two races together. A lesson Before Dying, is an outstanding classsic novel in which Gaines uses a real life descriptive sotry. His work in this book is an exellent source of literature for students. This is the kind of book every one should have a copy. A Lesson Before Dying is an unforgettable piece of literature.

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Summary: A BLACK MAN'S STRUGGLE FOR IDENTITY
Review: "A Lesson Before Dying" is a well written and capturing book that brings to light the racial prejudice in the South. The struggle with a diverse community where racial intolerance and prejudice runs rampant brings about many conflicts. The identity struggle proves to be a critical aspect to a person faced with death and to a person faced with living. Jefferson's death may have been a turning point for the black community but their struggle for equality has always been in motion.

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Summary: All too familiar historical storyline.
Review: Gaines did a wonderful job in telling this story. He made the characters very real, average, every day type of people. The type of characters anyone could follow and want to know more about. However this story has been told too many times before for a reader not to know the outcome. Particularly, a black reader. Enjoyable reading but for my point of view I am ready to read a story about a white man, committing the same crime, in the 1940's or today, with an all white jury and the same outcome. This story makes you ask yourself, does such a story exist? or will I ever read such a story?

Rating:
Summary: Touching but not all that!!
Review: Gaines is an excellent writer, meticulous in detail and touching. Yet he is too restrained in the expression of his characters' feelings. Relying too much on the reader to feel the characters' struggles. Overall a great piece of work, Gaines is able to take the reader into a small Cajun community allowing the reader a peek into the minds of those who are struggling to gain pride in themselves.

Rating:
Summary: A well-written story from a brilliant imagination.
Review: This was an excellent book with a touching message about the South in the 40's. Gaines' recollection holds astonishingly true to this time period and the storyline kept me intrigued throughout the book. I am looking forward to reading more of his works. Two thumbs up!!