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Author Ernest J. Gaines booklist (click here)

Book Review By David Loftus
A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines

In the bayou country of deepest Louisiana, in the late 1970s, a Cajun farmer is found shot dead. At the scene are one young white woman and about 18 old black men, each holding a shotgun. The sheriff is pretty sure who killed the white guy -- hardly any of the old fellows standing around could hit the side of a barn -- but his interrogations, punctuated by slaps and threats, fail to crack or resolve their conflicting and confusing stories. Every single one claims guilt, though the dead man was killed with but one shot, and they promise a riot at the courthouse if the sheriff makes an arrest. Meanwhile, they wait for the inevitable lynch mob that is sure to be organized by the family and buddies of the deceased. By the climax of the story, everyone's learned a little something, especially the beaten old black men who get a taste of their own power and courage. This 1983 Gaines novel is as stirring as the rest of his writings; it's a wonder it hasn't been filmed.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 1960's-1970's
Political/social activism Yes
Plotlet:
Ethnic/Regional/Religion
Other aspects:
Crime & Police story Yes
Story of
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 60's-90's

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Eccentric/Smart/Dumb: Yes
Eccentric:
How sensitive is this character?
Intelligence - below average

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 ()
United States Yes
The US: - Deep South
Farm/Ranch? Yes
Farm/Ranch: - farm
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - very gullible, like Gomer Pyle - hostile, like Gomer Pyle on steroids

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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