A Lesson Before Dying : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: My, can this man write!
Review: Finally, an author who isn't trying to impress me with their Zipity-Zing for prose or how wacked-out they can make their characters. Gaines is a solid writer and he gives everything to the story. Gaines reigns in his writing so it never lets out the anger, frustration and disillusionment that the characters carry. I wanted so much for Grant to explode, do something brass and big and even after the fight scene, I was still waiting for release. And that's when I realized how well crafted and artful an author Gaines is. Gaines made me FEEL what Grant felt his whole life, what Grant's people and community felt; a hungry anger that can never be sated. I felt this anger so clearly that when I closed the book I felt as though I had in some way fulfilled Grant's desire of getting out of that town and going somewhere better.

Rating:
Summary: Well executed but ultimately facile and redundant.
Review: This book is lucidly (if simply)written, and is often moving, particularly towards the end. Better than passable writing, however, is far from sufficient to compensate for the fact that the topic of racial and legal injustice in the segregationist south is strictly old hat. Having had his thunder stolen by To Kill A Mockingbird, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry and other works of a similar caliber, Gaines is preaching to an audience of the converted, with no new wrinkle to convey to them. While most of the novel is dedicated to the admirable but obvious propostion that racism is bad, Gaines' one ambitious move is the unsubtle implication (lamentable and probably fatuous) that a meaningful sense of identity can be built from a recognition of shared persecution.The novel only becomes poignant when Gaines takes the step of briefly putting us inside Jefferson's head. Instead of an exploration of issues like why Jefferson's community failed to give him a sense of identity to begi! n with, we can expect Gaines in future novels, while maintainig a competent level of writing, to advance such daring theses as "The Irish troubles are bad."

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: A Lesson Before Dying is one of those rare books that stays with you months after you've read it; the kind that teaches you things about yourself. It is a moving exploration of the problems that have plauged black men in America in the last half of the 20th century. It uncovers deep wounds, and although it offers no quick cure, the kindness, strength, and goodness of the characters signals hope for them as well as for us.

Rating:
Summary: A lesson that overcomes any racial and ethnics barriers.
Review: "A Lesson Before Dying" is a well written novel that shows the Black American struggle for social justice and recognition. The novel portrays how African Americans have managed to overcome nagative stereotypes they have been subject of through out the history of this nation. At the same time, the novel shows how by overcoming those negative stereotypes African Americans allows the rest of the society to see that they are no better than the rest of them but at the same time they are no less. A lesson of self respect and a positive attitude toward the essence of life is hidden within the work of Gaines. Such a valuable lesson should be read by any one searching for their hidden identity as well as any one oppressed by any established stereotype and looking for spiritual freedom. With no doubt, "A Lesson Before Dying" embroils a lesson that overcomes any racial or ethnic barrier and should become part of the literature curriculum in high schools across ! the nation so that our youth can relate to this experience.

Rating:
Summary: NOt Bad
Review: Although the novel never bored me, it didn't move me with great force either. Actually, the book didn't get very interesting until the last 3 chapters. It wasn't until Jefferson opened up by way of his notepaad that I started to really feel for him. Very well written. . clear, concise prose. That alone makes this a quick read worth the effort.

Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: I borrowed this book from a friend and couldn't put it down. The characters are interesting and full of life. In reading this book, one gets a sense of the people and the time. I'm looking forward to reading his other books.

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable but I was left a little confused.
Review: Arter reading the book I felt that there were a lot of unanswered questions.I kept asking myself whatever happened to..? I also felt that there was a lot of times in the book were the author was babbling about nothing and it was just not saying anything of importantence. But overall it was a good experience but I dout that I will ever raed it again

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: This is the first book I've read from the Oprah book list. I loved it!. The character development was just right. I knew who everyone was and what kind of person they were and felt whatever emotion they were going through at any given point in the story. I could almost "see" the metamorphasis that both Jefferson and Grant go through. Very moving.

Rating:
Summary: Not sure
Review: I read the book a couple of months ago and it left me confused. I understood the plot, but there were too many unanswered questions. Whatever happened with the girlfriend? Maybe the author didn't feel that was important. By reading some of the other reviews, I seen I'm not alone in my views of this book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greastest books I've ever read!
Review: I really ENJOYED this book, although it was emotionally draining. The setting is close to my father's home town, so I felt culturally connected. Ernest Gaines is a wonderful author, and I am looking forward to reading his next novel. "A Lesson Before Dying" is an excellent, easy read, and I highely recommend it.