Reviews

A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines

dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of those books which is wonderful enough on its own, and the audiobook version brings out even more. This book was narrated by a whole cast of talented readers. I want to re-read A Lesson Before Dying now.

Trigger warnings: racism, violence, the N-word in abundance.

odonnell's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

myaddiction's review against another edition

4.0

Good read although the ending was lacking.

melissa_427's review against another edition

5.0

I'm just finding that I really enjoy the works of Gaines. Such a compelling story line featuring so many notable characters.

ddejong's review against another edition

Read for Close Reads podcast. I struggled with this book from beginning to end. I don’t know how to rate it because I think it has many things to commend it as a piece of literature—however that didn’t translate into my loving it. The hardest part of this book was the—for me—cacophony of different narrative voices. Every chapter switches off to a new narrator. There are a few repetitions but not many. While I could appreciate the communal feel this gave the book, it made the characters very slippery for me. I was never with them long enough to develop a sense for their personality and voice before it was on to the next one. There were also so many characters that I simply couldn’t keep track of who they were throughout the book. I was left wondering why certain characters (Mathu, Mapes, Candy) were never given the opportunity to speak. There were some very poignant sections of the book and the denouement came as something as a surprise. In summary, I am glad I read the book but was never excited to pick it up and read it. But part of the reason I love Close Reads is because I value the discipline of reading a book chosen by people I respect that I wouldn’t otherwise choose and giving it my consideration.

bookchace's review against another edition

4.0

"They getting rid of these old graveyards more and more," I said. "These white folks coming up today don't have no respect for the dead."

This is a book that makes me feel lucky that I found it. The pacing was near perfect, the language was unique and heartfelt. First, I will state that Gaines's use of varying narrators throughout the book is unlike anything I have ever read. Each narrator has a different, distinct voice, and each narrator has a distinct purpose. Whether it be Snookum, Chimley, Lou Dimes, or even Tee Jack, I understand and respect Gaines's decision to choose each one as a narrator when they were one. My favorite character was Snookum. He was at the beginning and the end, and by the end, the reader can clearly see how valuable the Old Men's bravery was to him. These Old Men showed Snookum, the future generation, how it can be.

The themes that stood out in the book were not only the obvious theme of racism and hate in the south, but more prominently, the theme of standing up for something that you believe in, even if someone tells you that it's too late, or that it's unnecessary, or that you're being dramatic. I found myself finding parallels between some of the situations in the book and some situations today. Even today, so many groups who have been kept down for so long throughout history have been kicked and told to stay down, and now, when they have a voice, and they're using that voice, they're told that they're being over the top. I have admittedly even found myself thinking that they have been over the top. This book did what few books have ever done: it made me better understand and sympathize with the struggle that so many of these groups go through.

This is a book that everyone should read.

ptrobes's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this book. At first it was hard keeping people straight. We do get a lot of povs. But I felt like the tension off the time was greatly captured. The ending was realistic for those involved. It made me feel sad, nervous, and wanting to kick someone’s ass.

kater07's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

msmoodyreader's review against another edition

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

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0