Reviews

A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines

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msmoodyreader's review against another edition

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reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

depressedwritter97's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

tawallah's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Whilst this is not as great as A Lesson before dying, it still the ability to mesmerize the reader.

Set in the 1970s in a dying small village(generous term I’m using) in Bayonne Louisana, old men are called to gather at the house of Mathu. There lies the dead body of Beau Boutan, a Cajun farmer from a family well known for mob violence.

It is quite difficult to tell a poly vocal narrative. And Gaines managed it with finesse in under 300 pages. Each adds to the story with a backstory and new perspective on current tale. This interweaving was seamless and cohesive. Unfortunately it flags in the last 50 pages but then has an unexpected twist.

Will be reading all of the author’s books and looking forward to dipping back into this one.

marimoose's review against another edition

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3.0

This wasn't bad, but I did drag my feet trying to read it for class.

wofiasco's review against another edition

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I read this book as extra credit for my AP Lit class. Ultimately, I didn't really enjoy the book. I felt that it was hard to get through and that the dialogue was confusing. The questions we were originally given to go along as the extra credit, didn't help me to understand the book and therefore further turned me from enjoying it.

All that being said, what I did enjoy about this book was the message. It's incredibly moving and goes to discuss heavy topics or race, death, and self-status in an incredible way.