Rating: 
Summary: The author captured the reader and didn't let go.
Review: The Brothers and Sisters Book Club read "A Lesson Before Dying" as our October Book. The membership thoroughly enjoyed the book. The title captured the story like no other book I have read. The book would have been more appropriately entitled Lessons Before Dying because, unlike what I anticipated, Jefferson was not the only character who had to learn a lesson. Grant was at a critical crossroad and on the verge of becoming like his former teacher cold, indifferent and hostile, i.e., spiritually and emotionally dead. Although he did not realize it, his aunt and Vivian fully understood the importance of Grant becoming involved in this crisis. Grant needed a drastic wakeup call. Jefferson was both Grant's and the community's savior. He gave them hope. He was the sacrificial lamb. He became the reader's hero. We were captivated by his courage, a courage which none of us could fathom. It was difficult to grasp the source of such strength. However, it was sad that Jefferson had to die in order to be loved and respected by both the black community, even his beloved godmother Emma. There are many Jeffersons in our society today who get lost in the community who feel unworthy, unwanted and unloved. After reading his diary and seeing that he was smart and had excellent perceptions of people, I was ambivalent as to whether it would have been better not to gain knowledge of the eve of the execution. Yet, I understood the situation was bigger than Jefferson. Ms. Emma was probably the most loved and respected character. She was absolutely brilliant and could have been psychologist. She was a master of the human psychic. She was able to manipulate everyone to get what she wanted. She also understood the importance of having Jefferson die as a man with dignity and that Grant was the only person who understood the complexity of instilling self worth, manhood and duty. Ms. Emma knew that Rev. Ambrose who she loved and respect could not reach Jefferson with Christain salvation until Jefferson un
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've read in a long time.
Review: Mr. Gaines did a wonderful job of bringing this book to life. When I first decided to read this book I thought it may be a little depressing, but before I even finished Chapter 1 I knew I wouldn't be able to put this book down. It was very simple and very easy to get into. I think it was something that everyone could relate to in some way or another. Grant Wiggins really brought tears to my eyes at the end of this story. I think the reason he cried when he heard that Jefferson had died like a man was because (1) he didn't understand why he was even helping him because he was going to die anyway and (2) I think he cried because he finally received salvation. Anytime someone receives a spiritual revelation it always brings joy even in the midst of a bad situation. Although Jefferson was executed, there were three events that brought me joy: Jefferson's belief in God, Grant's determination to really help Jefferson in the end, and Grant's own belief and acceptance of God. I think he really believed in himself for the first time. I am looking forward in reading more books by Mr. Gaines. I recommend anyone with any type of spiritual appetite to read this book, it will definitely fill you up. This book makes dying not seem so bad. The irony of it all, was that Jefferson was the person to be executed and when his day came, he ws the only "man" in the room. The deputies and the sheriff didn't really look like "men" themselves because of what they were about to do. The sheriff seemed so macho in this book and kind of tough, but according to the deputy, Jefferson was the only "man" in that room during the electrocution. I really love this book!!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book! Way to go!
Review: I read this little devil in less than a day. I found myself wavering between wanting to slap the main character for his stubborn arrogance and the urge to pat him on the back for his sensitive and probably accurate assessment of the state of the black male psyche in that time period. I couldn't put it down and even called in sick to work so I could finish it. The ending took my breath away. Oprah's done it again.
Rating:
Summary: Is there more to this story than what's in the book?
Review: This is an engaging read and touches on some important issues, but it doesn't quite address any of them definitively. I found myself fascinated by the main characters. I always wanted to know what was going to happen and that kept me turning the pages. However, I was never convinced that the characters Jefferson and Grant were really connecting as much as Grant believed they were. Grant's romantic interest with Vivian gave an interesting human dimension to the story but never seemed an integral part of the main story. In short, I enjoyed the book while I was reading it, but always wanted more information than was forthcoming. Perhaps that's realism.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and properly written
Review: I don't think Vivian was strong enough in this book. I would have liked to know what had happened to Grant Higgins after the execution as well Ms Emma. I also think, the author should have included the funeral. I believe this was a little bit too short.
Rating:
Summary: I was transported to the scene!
Review: Ernest Gaines did a terrific job with bringing the reader to the scene and feeling the plantation life. I found I wanted more exploration of the characters, especially his aunt and his girlfriend. What about a more definite redemption at the end for Grant? I was left wanting more. I learned a lot about things that I had thought weren't occurring in the 1940's which was very thought provoking. Over all a good book, but not a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutly a must read!
Review: I picked up this book that my wife had bought and I couldn't put it down. I finished it in less than a day. I was totally involved with the main characters. Come on Grant do the right thing. Yes Miss Emma, move the people by the strength of your will and character. And of course Jefferson, please, please understand. After I read Jefferson's words near the end then the final chapters I was left breatheless, moved to appreciative tears and happy..no privledge that I read this book. Was this 'the best' book I've ever read? No. But is this a book I will insist everyone read? Yes, by all means. In fact, I'm going to hurry home and give this book back to my wife....she is in for a treat!
Rating:
Summary: Good enough
Review: This novel gives a good depiction of what life must have been like for a black community in southern Louisiana before civil rights. The writing is restrained and unsentimental, almost to the point of bleakness. I wish Gaines would not be so clipped and obviously self-edited in his style. Jefferson redeems himself and also the narrator, as well as Paul, the deputy. It is a novel about hope and pride, not just for black people, but for everyone who faces a moral and spiritual dilemma.
Rating:
Summary: A story that makes you think, even after you are done.
Review: Grant Wiggins task of fulfilling a wish from his aunt has us all battling with the issue on how to face a man who has been sentenced to death. The struggle that Grant Wiggins endures and the empact that this task has on his life is one that makes the reader think about if such a request was placed upon themself.
Being an African-American in the south is no easy life and Ernest Gaines has kept his book true to the period. The human emotion displayed though out is very real, especially Jefferson's diary.
Reading "A Lesson Before Dying" is also a lesson about human-kind. For we are all humans no matter what our station in life may be.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book that shows the needy give the most
Review: A Lesson Before Dying was a short, fast read but yet let that not diminish the integrity of the words. Ernest J. Gaines does an excellent job of setting the mood of 1940's southern life of black America. This book shows beautifully the relationship of Grant Wiggins and the many people that surround his life, the school children, his girlfriend Vivian, and of course Jefferson, the wrongly condemned man about to be executed. A Lesson Before Dying illustrates that the people we percieve as needy (Jefferson) actually are the ones that give the most. He really changed the life of Wiggins while going through his own transformation before death. The pages from his notebook were difficult to decifer but so compelling and the story is really revealed within those few pages. A Lesson Before Dying, read it. -Angela Bernardoni-
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