A Lesson Before Dying

This book is set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s, focusing on the story of Jefferson, a young black man who has been wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to die. Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, returns and is persuaded to visit Jefferson in his cell to impart his knowledge and pride before Jefferson's execution. Through this encounter, the two men bond and discover the heroism of defying expectations. Ernest J. Gaines delivers a powerful story with rich descriptions, a deep understanding of the human psyche, and commendable compassion for a people and their struggle.