Rating: 
Summary: Brillantly written, but slow moving
Review: It is a story set in a small town in Louisiana in the late 1940's, when racism is still extremely prevelent in the southern society. More than anything, this novel is a coming of age story. Jefferson, a young, uneducated black man witnesses a robbery, and as the only survivor, he is found guilty and sentenced to the electric chair. At his trial the white defense attorney states that Jefferson doesn't have the intelligence to plan a robbery, saying "What Justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this." This sets the tone for the rest of the story.
Grant Wiggins, a school teacher, (one of the only educated black people in the town), is asked by Jefferson's godmother to teach him dignity, and how to be a man before he dies. Reluctantly, Grant agrees to visit Jefferson, urged on by his aunt and girlfriend, Vivian. In the visits to Jefferson's cell, Grant tries to instill in Jefferson some self worth, as he persistantly tries to live out the description of himself as a "hog". Although Grant wavers in getting through to Jefferson, he eventually does, and begins to break him down. Both men fight eternal demons, however, they later learn the power of frienship and learn to fight those demons together, each holding the others burdon on their shoulders. Through Jefferson, Grant learns to fight the oppression of the white communitty, and Grant helps Jefferson see the meaninf of his life and self-worth, not to himself, but to others who care for him. In the end, they each succesfully conquer their demons, and Jefferson learns to "stand" and to walk to his death as a man. Was a good book with many deep thought provoking themes, and the character interaction between Grant and Jefferson was great, but it's not an action packed book, so don't expect to be sitting on the edge of your seet the entire time.
Rating: 
Summary: Insight and Reflection
Review: I feel that this book has a powerful meaning that touches those who have a sense of heart and pride. It slowly enfolds itself several days after one has finished reading it. It is not a book with action and/or suspense, rather it is a book that causes the reader to think for him/herself. It starts out plainly and ends the way the reader might perceive it to end. It is completely predictible; it is this predictability that directs the mind and spirit toward a deeper meaning of the book.
The two main characters, Grant and Jefferson, transform through their hesitant openness to change. Their changing causes them to realize their purpose in life and what it means to have faith. They begin to grasp a sense of pride as they journey through this transformation and as this pride grows stronger, they grow stronger. Finally, I recommend this book to those who enjoy reflecting on and analyzing books, and/or to those who would like to get in touch with their inner-self. It is a great book that will hopefully inspire faith, hope, and herosim in each and every person that reads it.
Rating:
Summary: A Deeper Perspective of Prejudice
Review: A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines is a prime example of how a man must face himself and own up to his own burden in life. The story is about two black men who learn about possibly the most important lesson in life, God. Understanding God and death is a lifelong task that is extremely complex. The two main characters attempt to learn not only the tangible, but the intangible too. The tangible is mathematics, english, and ultimately how to become a civilized man. The intangible is something the teacher, Mr. Wiggins, even doubts himself. The intangible is God. Their burden is to learn these things together, and to teach Jefferson how to accept his death and injustices like a man. In the story both characters go through a change." You shut up, or get up," I said. "I mean that."(199) Grant hears two men in a bar talking about Jefferson like a hog, and he finally decides to fight for his race and not be afraid anymore. He learns how to fight for his race out of his care for Jefferson. That is one of the lessons that Jefferson taught Grant. Not to be afraid anymore; however, at this point in time that behavior from a black man is trouble. Jefferson ends up being the brevest man to walk to the chair, and that is told by the courtroom witness Paul. At the end, Grant thinks the change is a miracle from God. Grant finally learns his lesson on a deeper perspective of prejudice; moreover, he learns that you can change things. You can learn about god and about life also. That may be the lesson that occurs before we all die.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD - But has a few flaws
Review: A Lesson Before Dying is a story of many themes and values; all of which are positive and insightful. Although it may be slow moving and undeveloped in some aspects, the book teaches important lessons that everybody could benefit from. I would recommend purchasing this book. Taking place in the 1940's, the lesson begins with a young, black, male who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and as a result is falsely accused of two murders. This illustrates one of the featured themes of the story: racism. I think racism is very easily detected as a theme to the story. With a weak story line though, the reader maybe distracted and lose focus of the reoccurring theme of racism. There are many characters in this story including the Death Row Inmate, and Grant Wiggin, who is a teacher that is sent by Jefferson's mother to convene with Jefferson. Also there is the white Sheriff of the small southern town and the mothers of Grant and Jefferson, never in the story do you get the feeling that you know and understand any of these characters. With poor character development, never do you completely feel as emotional about the character's different problems. The storyline of A Lesson Before Dying completely evolves around the theme of redemption. The white folks of his town label Jefferson as a "HOG". The object of Grant visiting Jefferson at the county jail is to convince him that he is not a HOG and to walk to the electric chair with dignity and pride. I like the theme of redemption and it is interesting the way Grant gets the theme across to Jefferson. Even though this story has its flaws, i.e. its very slow reading, has a boring storyline, and the lack of character development, I think the lessons and values taught should not be passed up.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written books suffers from slow plot.
Review: An Oprah's book club selection, A Lesson Before Dying was a book requiring much reflection and interpretation. The trial in which Jefferson was found guilty was over with before then end of the first chapter. Having been finished nine pages into a book of over 250, the most exciting part of the book quickly digresses into many chapters of very little action. The lack of action will make the casual reader lose interest. Although the plot slows down, there is still action going on. The action shifts from what happens to the characters physically to what happens to the characters emotionally. For this reason, someone looking for an exciting story about a man on death row should not read this book. A Lesson Before Dying is the perfect book for someone interested in reading a beautiful crafted story about the relationship of two men who are perfect complements to each other. Throughout the book, when Jefferson feels hopeless, Grant -whose job is it to educate Jefferson- gives him hope. When Grant is weak Jefferson had strength. This award-winning book is required reading for many schools. Many students, not wanting to read this book, will find it boring. Someone who is genuinely interested in this subject matter will find this book an amazing piece of literature.
Rating:
Summary: National issued and Life Lesson are shown in this book
Review: "A Lesson Before Dying"
Ernest Gaines
When reading the suspenseful book, "A Lesson before Dying" by Ernest Gaines, we felt sorrow not only because Jefferson, the main character was black and uneducated., He was treated unfairly by society because of the color of his skin and for a crime he did not commit. This book intertwined an national issue with a real life scenario. This book takes a black man and puts him in a bad position. He is at the wrong place and at the wrong time. He is then wrongly accused of the murder. He is then later put down many times, but learns how to die with dignity. Also when viewing a movie version of the book, it too portrays a good image of the book. This book would be enjoyed by young adults and older. We thought it was a great way to portray life issues along with national. The book was enjoyable to read and also to learn from.
Rating:
Summary: Some Random Person's Dumb Review
Review: This is not a cheerful book, because it is about racism and someone being injustly excecuted, but for that very reason it is a good book to read (that, and it has nice, short chapters). It shows how bad racism can be and the problems we once had with it (and still have, to some degree). The main character, Grant, feels trapped in a society that still judges people by how dark their skin is. Another character, a white man who works at the jail, shows through his kindness to Grant that he is a good person, resisting society's pressure to conform to its racist ideas.
I suggest that people read it to keep the lesson itself from dying.
Rating:
Summary: Lesson Before Reading
Review: Ernest J. Gaines book A Lesson Before Dying was a good book. It is a great book to relook the issue of racism and how it effects the life of many people. Jefferson was at the seen of the crime, yet he was an innocent bystander who caught a ride from two guys, Brother and Bear, and ended up taking a punishment for somethin he did not do. The prosecuter called him a hog and all he wants is to beacome a man.
Rating:
Summary: A lesson for all of us
Review: The story is very simple on the surface: a young black man in 1940's Lousiana is sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit. The public defender basically strips him of his humanity in court by referring to him as a "hog". A schoolteacher (the narrator, Grant Wiggins) is coerced by his aunt and the prisoner's godmother to visit the young man and impart to him a sense of dignity, enabling him to die like a man and not a beast. Of course, there is always more to a book like this than the simple story. It brings alive a time and place that is in the past, although not far enough. The unspoken protocol between blacks and whites of that time illustrates the ever-present racism of that period. No wonder Wiggins wants to escape, to leave that world in which he is indeed as much a prisoner as the condemned young man Jefferson. The learning that takes place is mutual, and the learning is there for each reader that will open his or her heart and let this powerful book speak to the soul.
Rating:
Summary: " Is He Innocent or Not or Does it Even Matter? "
Review: "No,I did not go to the trial to hear the verdict,because I knew all the time what it would be...". The beginning ,yet the end of his trial is veiwed by Grant Wiggins ,the narrator ,as an injustice and unfair judgement. Jefferson, the man accused of commiting the crime, is soon convicted of this crime and is sentenced to death. The last and most meaningful request of Jeffersons family was to ask Grant, who is also a teacher, to teach Jefferson to die like a man. This story has many powerful lessons woven in it. The truth in these lessons can teach a lesson to the reader. Grant "learns" a lesson too which helps him understand that heroism is not always viewed through action. The title of this book in it's own has a bridge between the ironic symbolism of the lessons learned by two signifigant characters.
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