Gaines, Ernest J. 1933-

A lesson before dying by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
86 editions published between 1993 and 2011 in 9 languages and held by 4,803 libraries worldwide
In his first novel in ten years, Ernest Gaines, the highly acclaimed author of the best-selling The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, brings us a wrenching story of death and identity in a small Cajun Louisiana community in the late 1940s. A young black named Jefferson is a reluctant party in a shoot-out in a liquor store in which the three other men involved are all killed, including the white store owner. Jefferson, the only survivor, is accused of murder. At the trial, the essence of the defense is that the accused, a lowly form of existence lacking even a modicum of intelligence, is incapable of premeditated murder. His lawyer argues: "Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this." But Jefferson is condemned to death.

The autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
113 editions published between 1971 and 2010 in 10 languages and held by 4,453 libraries worldwide
Story of a black lady born into slavery on a Louisiana plantation, freed at the end of the Civil War, who lives for one-hundred more years.

A gathering of old men by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
65 editions published between 1983 and 2008 in 5 languages and held by 3,072 libraries worldwide
Beau Boutan, a hated Cajun farmer, is shot, and a dozen aging black men claim to be the murderer.

In my father's house by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
28 editions published between 1978 and 2006 in 3 languages and held by 1,955 libraries worldwide
A minister and civil rights leader in a small, rural black community is suddenly confronted with events from his past that threaten to destroy the life he has built.

Bloodline by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
25 editions published between 1968 and 2010 in 3 languages and held by 1,389 libraries worldwide
These materials are designed to familiarize students with the short story as a literary form while providing a cultural study of southern Blacks. The materials consist of 6 audiotape cassettes, 1 teachers' guide, and a copy of the book. Ernest J. Gaines reads the series of 5 taped stories, re-creating characters out of his own experience as a Black person on a Louisiana plantation. The 5 story titles are as follows: 'A Long Day in November,' 'The Sky is Gray,' 'Three Men,' 'Bloodline,' and 'Just Like a Tree.' The audiotape cassettes are also sold individually. The materials seem appropriate for students in grades 10 through adult education. LKK, 10-76 JLK, 10-76

Catherine Carmier : a novel by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
27 editions published between 1964 and 2006 in 4 languages and held by 1,159 libraries worldwide
Catherine, a young Louisiana Black woman, is caught up in the racial tensions between white, Black, and Cajun in the rural plantation area.

Of love and dust by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
21 editions published between 1967 and 2010 in 3 languages and held by 1,031 libraries worldwide
Marcus, bonded out of jail and sent to work on the Hebert Plantation, displays such contempt for Sidney Bonbon, the Cajun overseer, that Bonbon works him nearly to death, and Marcus plans his revenge.

Mozart and Leadbelly : stories and essays by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
9 editions published between 2005 and 2006 in English and held by 903 libraries worldwide
Collects five stories, set in Louisiana, that capture the joys and sorrows of rural Southern life, accompanied by prose works that chronicle the author's life as a writer, and the people and places that he has encountered.

An introduction to A lesson before dying by Ernest J. Gaines audio guide by Molly Murphy ( Recording )
3 editions published between 2007 and 2008 in English and held by 724 libraries worldwide
Discusses the theme and characters in Gaines's novel and includes excerpts from the book and background information on the author.

A long day in November by Ernest J Gaines ( Book )
8 editions published between 1964 and 1971 in English and Undetermined and held by 489 libraries worldwide
A young black boy living on a cane plantation recounts the events of the day his parents separate and are reconciled.