In a small Cajun community in the late 1940s, Jefferson, a young black man is an unwitting party to a hold up in which three men are killed. The only survivor, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, the plantation school teacher is persuaded by his aunt to visit Jefferson in his cell and impart his learning and his pride to Jefferson before his death.
In the end, the two men forge a bond as they both come to understand the simple heroism of resisting, and defying, the expected.
A novel rich with sense of place and a deep understanding of the human psyche.
This short but powerful book was popular with our group last month. A few of us thought it started off a little slow, but once established the story moved along well. From the comments made, all the characters had a strong presence with the time and place clearly and honestly portrayed. This sort of story ... hard times with racial undertones and personal struggle, always leads us to interesting and stimulating discussion. This book provided us with plenty of avenues on that front and the author himself, Ernest J. Gaines, is a more than interesting enough character to research. A highly educated man, he was plantation born in Louisiana and experienced great adversity during his young life, picking cotton from the time he was nine years old.
If you like a book with plenty of depth and emotional turmoil, A Lesson Before Dying would be a good choice. Wollongong Library has two copies available for loan, so give it a go and let us know what you think. We'd love to hear your view on this thought provoking book.
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