A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines: A Book Review
Genre: Historical Fiction
A Lesson Before Dying was nothing like what I imagined it to be. Somehow Gaines manages to create characters that are as flawed as they are human. Through the slow character development of the main character, A Lesson Before Dying details the human psyche while implying messages few people want to acknowledge.
While the amount of static characters in the story is disappointing, Gaines gives clear humanity to all of them. As A Lesson Before Dying shows we are all flawed and held back by our own beliefs, it is only by overcoming them that we rise to our own potential. We must acknowledge our world and how it shapes us, just as we must acknowledge we all will one day die.
In essence, A Lesson Before Dying holds very existential views. While a slow read, (it took me 2 weeks) the detail that Gaines puts into the story as well as the many lessons makes the story a must read. Of course, I may also be bias with my opinion. While not a fan of historical fiction myself, Gaines brought to mind the image of my grandpa, a history teacher, and his many lessons about life, living, and the act of dying.
One should never be afraid to die. No matter what, we all will one day.
Ed Ganoe (1937 – 2014)
Other books like the one reviewed:
The Stranger by Albert Camus, The Circle by Dave Eggers, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Editor: 10/10
Total: 40/40
Title: A Lesson Before Dying
Author: Ernest J. Gaines
Edition: First Vintage Contemporaries
Published: 1993
Publisher: Penguin Random House
ISBN: 9780375702709
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
Side Note:
I ordered this book from Amazon and didn’t think any thing of it when arriving in the mail. I few weeks ago, though I went to start the book and noticed that a large portion of the book was backwards and upside down. I never had such an experience and just want to point out, when buying anything make sure to check the condition as well as the page order.
Rosey Reviews 