Reviews

A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines

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

tawallah's review

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

3.0

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

wofiasco's review against another edition

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.

p00rrich's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring 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

4.5

seabad's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

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

4.0