50/100

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This story reminded me a lot of The Green Mile. A young black man finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when he is part of a murder. In 1940's Louisiana, this is reason enough to be sentenced to death. The main defense used in his favor is to compare him more to a pig, than to a man. Although this didn't help in sentencing, it does make Jefferson feel worthless. He withdraws from his family before his death. His family demands that the local teacher make Jefferson think himself a man and ask God for forgiveness before death. As expected, everyone else learns from Jefferson more than the other way around. Good read.


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