A Lesseon Before Dying

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

A Lesson Before Dying is set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s. Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shoot out in which three men are killed; the only survivor, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, has returned to the plantation school to teach. As he struggles with his decision whether to stay or escape to another state, his aunt and Jefferson's godmother persuade him 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.


                       Ian Shroyer- It took me a while to get in to this novel, but before I knew it I was anxious to find out what happened next. The story was good, but I loved the theme the most, it had meaning and provoked though. It wasn't someone complaining rather someone giving a lesson. It is a MUST read. Don't listen to the people challenging it, they know nothing of expression and art.


Rating:10 out of 10


                          This book was one of the best books I have ever read. Not only was it a pleasant read, but it was also an amazing lesson that was taught. My teacher said "This book is about scraping away your outer layers and finding who you are" and it couldn't have directed my mind in a better way while reading this book. It truly is an amazing lesson and the characters can have such an impact on the reader that they will for sure shed a tear. HIGHLY recommended!

Rating: 10 out of 10