A Lesson Before Dying - Book Review by Janae

A Lesson Before Dying
by Ernest Gaines

Set in southern Louisiana in the late 1940s, a man named Jefferson is convicted of murder. Jefferson, being a black man, was simply just in the wrong place at the wrong time and is sentenced to death without even a speck of evidence that he committed any crime. Grant Wiggins, the town's grade school teacher, is asked to visit Jefferson up until his day of execution to teach him how to be a man. He is put up to this by Miss Emma, Jefferson's godmother, who is best friend to Tante Lou, Wiggin's aunt. Wiggins overcomes many obstacles and learns many life lessons (ironically) while teaching Jefferson through simple lessons. Just by following these simple lessons allows Jefferson to die like a man with his head held high.


Review by Janae