Ernest J. Gaines Bücher

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. Ernest J. Gaines brings to this novel the same rich sense of place, the same deep understanding of the human psyche, and the same compassion for a people and their struggle that have informed his previous, highly praised works of fiction.

Story of a black lady born into slavery on a Louisiana plantation, freed at the end of the Civil War, who lives for one-hundred more years

Set in Louisiana, the stories explore the lives of sharecroppers and the haunting remnants of plantation life, echoing themes of cruelty, suffering, and resilience. Gaines vividly portrays this landscape, making it as recognizable and impactful as the settings in the works of Ralph Ellison and William Faulkner. Through these narratives, he delves into the complexities of human experience within a deeply rooted cultural and historical context.

A powerful depiction of racial tensions arising over the death of a Cajun farmer at the hands of a black man--set on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation in the 1970s. The Village Voice called A Gathering of Old Men “the best-written novel on Southern race relations in over a decade.”

Exploring the motivations and inspirations behind his literary works, the author shares personal anecdotes and reflections in this collection of stories and essays. He delves into his journey as a writer, offering insights into the themes and experiences that shape his acclaimed narratives, including the classic A Lesson Before Dying. Readers gain a deeper understanding of the author's creative process and the significance of storytelling in his life.

Set on a sugarcane plantation in the 1940s rural South, the narrative unfolds over an eventful day filled with humor and warmth. It explores the lives of the characters, highlighting their relationships and the unique challenges they face in a vibrant yet challenging environment. The story captures the essence of the era while providing a lighthearted yet poignant look at community and resilience.

Exploring the complexities of race and the legacy of slavery, this collection features four landmark novels by Ernest J. Gaines, a celebrated voice in American literature. Notable works include "A Lesson Before Dying," which received the National Book Critics Circle Award and was an early Oprah Book Club selection. Drawing from his experiences as the oldest of twelve in a sharecropping family in Louisiana, Gaines crafts nuanced and compassionate narratives that reflect the struggles of both Black and white characters in a racially charged society.