A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

A Lesson Before Dying

Ernest J. Gaines

256 pages • first pub 1993 (editions)

fiction classics challenging emotional reflective slow-paced
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Description

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...

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Community Reviews

3.88
based on 5,429 reviews

Moods

emotional: 82%

sad: 75%

reflective: 64%

challenging: 46%

dark: 42%

tense: 24%

inspiring: 18%

hopeful: 12%

informative: 11%

Pace

14% of readers chose fast
48% of readers chose medium
37% of readers chose slow
fast
medium
slow

Plot or character driven?

8% of readers chose Plot
22% of readers chose A mix
69% of readers chose Character
Plot
A mix
Character

Strong character development?

83% of readers chose Yes
12% of readers chose Complicated
3% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Loveable characters?

51% of readers chose Yes
38% of readers chose Complicated
8% of readers chose No
1% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Diverse cast of characters?

80% of readers chose Yes
7% of readers chose Complicated
9% of readers chose No
2% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus?

72% of readers chose Yes
19% of readers chose Complicated
7% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Content Warnings

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