By Ernest J. Gaines
Rating: 1 star.
Apparently the Chicago Tribune and I fail to see eye to eye on some things. This book is one of them. I expected at least a tolerable read when I saw on the cover “This majestic, moving novel is an instant classic, a book that will be read, discussed and taught beyond the rest of our lives.”
As I read, More often than not, I thought that I should just stop and not finish the book. It was pretty painful. Not in an emotionally-satisfying way, but in a when-will-Grant-figure-out-that-he-needs-to-get-out-if-he-wants-to-be-happy way. The book glossed over the fact that a mentally challenged adult was an accessory to a double homicide, and attempts to make the reader connect with the convicted.
Honestly, the aunt and mother got on my nerves from the beginning, because I despite women characters who are weak-willed, weak-spirited, or just plain weak. Both of the main ladies in this book were the first and third of those, and every time they spoke, I felt like telling them to just stop talking.
I suppose it was as pleasant an end as could be expected…knowing that the book took place when the death penalty was in full force without exception for capital crimes…and that the convicted was able to die with as much dignity as the electric chair afforded anyone when it was used.
Definitely not worth a read.
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