catherine literature connections contemporary

books:

Ernest Gaines: A Gathering of Old Men/Readings

2 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

American Audio Prose Library, 1987

Sensitive, compelling,thought provoking!
Ernest Gaines keeps the reader fascinated as he weaves a story about conditions in the deep South prior to the 1970's. Without a doubt, this novel compels the reader to not only understand the past lives of the old men, but to understand the need for change. The novel is deep and provocative as the plot unravels revealing secrets of many characters. Told from the first person point of view, ...

A Lesson Before Dying (Five Star)

4 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

Serpent's Tail, 2001

A Lesson For All!
Overall I feel that this book is extremely well written. The book is centered on one main character and gives you the ability to get into his mind. While reading this book I was never bored or disappointed. The chapters were not long and drawn out which kept my attention and forced me to read on. I enjoyed how the author used descriptive detail in order to give me a clear understanding of the ...

A Lesson Before Dying

1 review
Ernest J. Gaines

Random House Audio, 2005

A Lesson Before Dying
This was the book on CD, unabridged version, and it is great. I purchased this for a college class, and needed to save time due to 10 other novels I needed to read in the same semester. It has been a blessing I have listened to this now more than once, and the speaker is great! His inflections and tone are just fabulous, it is really an enjoyable listen!

Catherine Carmier

7 reviews
Ernest J Gaines

Chatham Bookseller, 1972

Beautiful
Gaines captures Louisiana culture to a 'T'. As someone who spends a lot of time there, the Carmiers, Jackson, Charlotte and Mary Louise ring true. HIs descriptions and elegant choice of words are just plain gorgeous. Wonderful classic.

In my father's house

69 reviews
Ernest J Gaines

Norton, 1983

Beautiful Tale for Mature Readers
In My Father's House follows a young Southern girl, Oscie Mason, as she lives twelve years of her life, plagued by the Civil War. It all starts when Oscie's mother, Virginia, marries Will Mclean. Oscie does not like him, mostly because she is unwilling to allow her beloved father to be replaced. She is disrespectful and rude to him as often as possible, and the two fight with each other ...

The Sky Is Gray

1 review
Ernest J. Gaines

Creative Co (Sd), 1995

James tooth is hurting, and he goes with his mama to a denti
A short summary: James tooth is hurting. He doesn't want to tell anybody because his family doesn't have enough money. His mama finds that out, and she goes with him to a dentist. A old lady sees them going the same street several times, and she gives them food and something to drink.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

1 review
Ernest J. Gaines

Books On Tape, Inc., 1986

The Secret Of This Book's Success Is The Characterization Of Miss Jane
"The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman By Ernest J. Gaines 7-1.5 hour audio cassettes Rental---$15.50 Purchase---$56.00 Read by Roses Prichard Performance copyright 1982 B-O-T Inc. Special Library Edition." "This is a novel in the guise of the tape recorded recollection of a 110-year old black woman who was born a slave but has live to see the black militancy of the 1960's. THE ...

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman: And Other Related Readings (Literature Connections)

1 review
Ernest J. Gaines

McDougal Littell, 1998

Powerful story!
This review is on the "Autobiography" as I have not read this particular edition, so I don't know what the "other writings" are. This story is brilliantly written. So powerful, I had a hard time believing that Miss Jane Pittman is a fictional character; she was very real in my mind. As a look at life for African Americans during the Civil War, the post-Civil War years, through the first half of ...

Wide Awake in the Pelican State: Stories by Contemporary Louisiana Writers

2 reviews

Louisiana State University Press, 2006

Strange title; inscrutable cover; GREAT STORIES
This is an anthology with a strange title, inscrutable cover, and some of the best stories I've read. Some oldies but goodies (i.e., "The Convict") and many new-to-me stories. Some are surprisingly dark, but of course Louisiana is the land of mojo, Spanish-moss draped trees along black bayous . . . Well worth the read. These are stories to be read and read over again.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

1 review
Ernest J. Gaines

Recorded Books, Inc., 1994

Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
I really appreciate this book. I may use it for my middle school reading class.

A Lesson Before Dying

491 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

Demco Media, 1994

Mockingbird II
Strong, powerful read... So strong and so powerful that you may almost put it down in the first chapter, the language used to described a black man, a fellow human, so strong and offensive that you just want to close the book, slam it to the ground, and have nothing to do with it. BUT, almost immediately it grows into a strong, heartwarming and ultimately inspiring story. In the end, it ...

A Lesson Before Dying (Cliffs Notes)

6 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines, Durthy Washington

Cliffs Notes, 1999

YOU MUST READ THIS
I SERIOUSLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT GAVE ME A VERY SIGHTFUL VIEW OF HOW RACISM WAS IN THE 40'S FOR BLACKS AND MINORITIES IN THE SOUTH. THIS BOOK WAS ABOUT A YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE WHO WAS ACCUSED OF ROBBERY AND MURDER, HE WAS LATER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO DEATH. THIS BOOK WAS VERY GOOD, I REALLY ENJOYED IT.

In My Father's House

10 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

Books on Tape, Inc., 1982

Family or Cause?
In this beautiful story, Gaines poignantly explores the nature of loyalty to one's race and to one's kin. Which comes first: your cause or your family? When forced to chose, do you sell out your brothers or your son? When faced with a child that you abandoned years ago, and all the guilt and pain accompanying that choice, do you make it up to the young man by giving up everything you've worked ...

Mozart and Leadbelly: Stories and Essays

3 reviews

Vintage, 2007

One of my favorites
Ernest Gaines is one of my favorite writers. I had moved to Nebraska to do a Ph.D. in philosophy, until one day at the public library I discovered Mr. Gaines' fiction. After reading Bloodline and A Lesson Before Dying, I dropped out of the doctoral program and started writing fiction. And that's what I've been doing for the past four years: writing fiction. As I read and re-read Gaines' work, ...

Mozart and Leadbelly

1 review
Ernest J. Gaines

Vintage, 2006

Ernest Gaines
This book, of all the ones I have read by Mr. Gaines, is the most enlightening. He explains the thoughts and ideas which formed the basis for some of his better known works. Clearly he deserves kudos for his brilliance in writing.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

50 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

Dial Press Trade Paperback, 2009

Miss Jane Pittman
I read the Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman as an independent reading project for my English class this year, and I loved it. Although it was a little dry at times, it was a very thought-provoking book with a plot that made you want to keep reading. Although it is fictional, the author has a way of writing that will make you believe this story is a true autobiography. While reading, I could ...

Bloodline

5 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

Books On Tape, 1963

Great Short Story Collection
Bloodline is an excellent collection of 5 short stories that describe interesting plantation life in rural Louisana. As usual,Mr. Gaines, brings dignity , respect, and admiration to the ordianry African American characters. None of the characters are victims who are wise, who understand the system that has been designe to keep them oprreseed. In the genius understanding, they weave the situation ...

Of Love and Dust

7 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

Sphere, 1971

Another compelling novel from one of America's best writers
One of Ernest Gaines' greatest talents lies in his ability to make the reader reconsider initial assumptions and prejudices about the characters in his stories. "Of Love and Dust" introduces us to Marcus, a young African-American man awaiting trial for the murder of another man. Apparently more concerned about his flashy wardrobe than the moral burden he should bear for his crime, Marcus quickly ...

A Lesson Before Dying

1 review
Ernest J. Gaines

Perfection Learning Prebound, 1995

A Lesson Before Dying
In his inspirational fiction, Ernest J. Gaines has explored the most important qualities of soul. Freedom has been a major theme in his works. In A Lesson Before Dying dignity is lifted up. This is a very powerful and touching story. The biggest thing is the lesson it teaches. The reader learns an important lesson about life, family, and education along with Grant and Jefferson. I would recommend ...

A Gathering of Old Men

67 reviews
Ernest J. Gaines

Vintage, 1984

Beautiful and poignant
A Gathering of Old Men is a beautiful portrait of a community that has quietly taken all that it can and will take no more. Men who have silently borne tragedy speak slowly, haltingly, solemnly that they will suffer no more. They will stand up for themselves, for their honor, for their people.

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