A review by morrisimo
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Jesus Christ this book was so sad. Very well written and paced, accessible, powerfully emotional. Deftly deals with race relations in 1948 Louisiana, questions of duty, purpose, believe, and humanity. Complex main characters and well written and interesting secondary characters. Descriptive and engaging. Devastating. Maybe a 4.75??? Not to devalue my 4.5 books, but this one really got to me. 
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