The rich writing and characterisation reminded me of 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' Despite a situation in which a black youth finds himself victimised and a community marginalised the characters find small ways in which to empower themselves. In the story the narrator and main character, Mr Wiggins, and Jefferson, the 'hog', both stand as heroes in different ways in order to give their female relatives something to be proud of. Each is as reluctant as the other to take on this responsibility. This book is both a history lesson and a critique of the justice system and death sentence which has contemporary value. The characters inspire in their sense of community, sense of family and ultimately, their sense of pride as they cope with and negotiate their way through, the hand they have been dealt. The themes of mean spiritedness, racial prejudice, endurance and self-empowerment are as relevant today as they were in the 1940's when the book was set. Its a story and a lesson that stays with you long after the last page has been turned.

This is a well written story, along the lines of To Kill a Mocking Bird. It's not a light read--very intense content, but slow moving. It did make me cry at the end which surprised me because I didn't think I was that into the characters--especially the main character. It's a good read for anyone who likes to get a feel for that era and how it felt to be an African American during the 40's.

Extraordinarily moving, solemn and beautiful. This book both brought me to tears and gave me a whole new perspective on Sundays.

A book pretty simple in appearance but full of meaning nevertheless.

This tells of the relationship forged between a young black man on death row and his teacher in 1940s Louisiana. Outstanding!

Excellent story of injustice in the South in the 1940's. Well developed characters, made me want to read some other books by this writer.

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 shootout in which three men are killed; the only survivor, he is convicted of murder and sent to death. Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, has returned to the plantation 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 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.

This was very moving story. So many different issues were addressed in an interesting manner. I recommend it and will be looking for others by this author.

Enormously moving...Gaines unerringly evokes the place and time about which he writes.

The book gives provides a look at the connection between racism and the death penalty.

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An inmate on death row has contact with a teacher. Strangely it is perhaps the teacher who learns more.

This book was very hard to put down. It was sad but very insightful. It makes you think about family, pride, love and commitment. Definitely a book worth reading. I highly recommend it.

Excellent tale, about a young man sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit. He does die but with dignity and he learns that his yong life does have worth. Recommend

first 100 pages were good, last 20 pages were good the rest was filler..
It wasn't that great, although the writter had a great idea, and it was well written there was just to much filler for me.

"A Lesson Before Dying" is deeply touching. I feel this book should be required reading for high school level students. I was a little surprised that it is part of Oprah's Book Club as it does not seem to fit the typical tone of Oprah books; however, it is still clearly a very high-quality piece of literature that deserves much recognition.

My overall impression of this book began a little shaky - I do not read a lot of historical fiction, and unfortunately I began this novel without much knowledge of the life and times in this era (late 1940's) for African Americans in Louisiana, but I am proud to say I learned a lot from this story - both historical facts and emotional undertones alike. The book is written in first person perspective from the main character, Grant Wiggins, who is an African American school teacher for the local plantation church school. Through his eyes you will be taken on his journey toward self-discovery as he and his community come to terms and deal with the impending execution of a falsely-accused young Black man. This story will bring you through all spectrums of emotion - from anger, to love, and quite possibly on to the verge of tears in the last few chapters.

I began this story just so I could add it to my list of Oprah Book Club reads. I finished this story with a deep appreciation to Mr. Ernest Gaines for bringing me to a much clearer understanding of this place in civil rights history and a strong emotional connection to a story that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

Oprah's book club

Oprah's book club choice.....set in the 1940's...good book

it was ok for me

A great book for anyone to read!

An Oprah book club pick...and a very good one!

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