Gaines captures Louisiana culture to a 'T'. As someone who spends a lot of tiem their the Carmiers, Jackson, Charlotte and Mary Louise ring true. HIs descriptions and elegant choice of words are just plain gorgeous. Wonderful classic.

I throughly enjoyed this novel by Mr. Gaines. It was vivid, realistic, and delighful.This is an easy read.Read it and discover who Catherine really is.

The reviews thus far tell little of what this story is about. Although I read it several years ago, as I remember this book, or at least a part of it, centered on the intra-racial divide between those of African descent. The Creoles of color, particularly in the region of the book, have long maintained a somewhat separate status from blacks based on a caste system determined by mixed blood and lineage. The "forgotten people" have maintained they have black blood, but emphasize their heritage also include French, Spanish, and most times Native American blood. Although a great many Creoles eventually assimilated into the black community, during the time of this story, (the 60s, I think) most of them kept a separate status from blacks, thought they were subject to the most part to the same Jim Crow laws and racism as blacks (unless of course, they chose to pass for white- a whole other subject). When Jackson encounters Catherine, they act upon an attraction they had from their school-age days. The unwillingness of both families to accept is at the heart of the story. That a group of people by virtual of the fact they have mixed blood (for that matter, how many blacks are not mixed- whole other book)descended from French planters deem themselves better or superior to others of more distinct African blood and all the ignorance that prevails because of this belief is what this is all about. The reviews talk about Cajuns and indeed this is Cajun country and the different cultures interact, but it is the Creoles of Color that this book is about. Mr. Gaines handles this with his first-hand knowledge of growing up in Louisiana and all of its idiosyncracies regarding race and class. Though the book left me saddened, I enjoyed the subject matter.

This review is on the "Autobiography" as I have not read this particular edition, so I don't know what the "other writings" are.

This story is brilliantly written. So powerful, I had a hard time believing that Miss Jane Pittman is a fictional character; she was very real in my mind.

As a look at life for African Americans during the Civil War, the post-Civil War years, through the first half of last century, and the civil rights protests of the 60's, this story made these times for this particular population more real to me than any other essays, letters, stories or histories ever had before.

This book is not the easiest to confront - nothing is glossed over, yet it is not depressing to read, oddly enough. The writer masterfully uses the sad, cruel events of those times to demonstrate the strength and beauty of his heroine.

I would not recommend this book for young children, but I think this would be a wonderful addition to any high school education.

Ernest Gaines keeps the reader fascinated as he weaves a story about conditions in the deep South prior to the 1970's. Without a doubt, this novel compels the reader to not only understand the past lives of the old men, but to understand the need for change. The novel is deep and provocative as the plot unravels revealing secrets of many characters. Told from the first person point of view, all characters tell their story. Therefore,the chapters are told from a given characters point of view. Gaines masterfully weaves the speakers stories into a plot that touches the emotions, as well as the curiosity, of the reader. Using this novel in a high school literature class has been a rewarding experience for the students and the teachers. It is a novel that needs no constant reminder to read, for the reader is compelled to continue in order to understand the complexity of the lives of those characters telling their story. Plus, without revealing more, there is a catch to this novel which adds a piece of curiosity.

The editors of "Porchtalk" have given us the sound of Gaines's voice, just as he has given readers the sound of Miss Jane Pittman's warm and human voice. In "Porchtalk" we become more familiar with the author who charmed Oprah Winfrey's audience earlier this year. Everyone who has read one of Gaines's novels will want to own this book because of what he tells us of his own background and his artistic values.

A short summary: James tooth is hurting. He doesn't want to tell anybody because his family doesn't have enough money. His mama finds that out, and she goes with him to a dentist. A old lady sees them going the same street several times, and she gives them food and something to drink.

Ann Rinaldi puts forth nothing but her best in all her books, especially In My Father's House. Rinaldi's main character is Oscie. She is young, free-spirited and interesting. Oscie is trapped between her world of luxury down South and the war taking place on her front lawn. This book is full of excitement, danger and sadness. Evertything from sisters drowning, war happening and Oscie's tutor causing a riot because she was from the North is right in the pages of this wonderful book. I loved it! It was suspenceful, sad , happy,and interesting all at the same time. It tells a lot of truth about the Civil War. If you are a big fan of Gone With The Wind it is inevitable that you will enjoy In My Fathers House by Ann Rinaldi.

In My Father's House was a great example of a headstrong southern girl in the 1850's and 1860's. Oscie Mason's life is torn apart by the civil war. She has to deal with sisters and brother while trying to uphold a normal life; which is near impossible with a battle raging in her yard, the strange slave Mary-Ann, who Oscie learns to hate, and her step-father, Will McLean, who she can never seem to agree with because he too, his pretty headstrong. This story starts when Oscie is seven years old and ends when she is about 20.

All through those years Oscie is presented the horrors and oppertunities of the civil war. She has a Yankee tutor, Button, and is torn between the love of two soliders, Alex and Thomas, while her sister is in love with a union solider. She faces troulble with Will McLean, but learns to love him. I read this book all yesterday because its pretty absorbing and you can't put it down once u start reading it. I think this a great book that teaches you tons about the civil war. Please read and rate!!!

This is a great book for a person who wants to know what a war can do to a family. Ocie Mason faces a lot of changes during the war. She gets a new pa. She loses a sister and gains a brother all in the beginning.The war comes to Ocie's house,her fathers house. There she finds her first love. She's made to move when the first battle is fought on her front yard. Ocice and her family go threw a lot of changes. Her sister falls in love with a Yankee. Her mother has 2 more childeren. After living in Richmond for a while the family is moved to Appromattox. There Will Mclean thinks his family is safe.Ocie once again falls in love. This is a great and wonderful and should be read. I might be young,but I enjoyed it fully. And I thnk others would to. Rinaldi shows a lot of historical value in this book.

Although Ernest Gaines manipulates the subjects of his former novels into this novel, it accurately portrays a side of southern life which extends beyond the general theme of racism. In addition to depicting honorable morals, Gaines portrays the black race as a generally honorable people. Despite shortcomings and tribulation, the main characters of the novel produce an honorable aura about man and his accepted levels of change.

Bloodline is an excellent collection of 5 short stories that describe interesting plantation life in rural Louisana. As usual,Mr. Gaines, brings dignity , respect, and admiration to the ordianry African American characters. None of the characters are victims who are wise, who understand the system that has been designe to keep them oprreseed. In the genius understanding, they weave the situation sot hat they are clearly the winners even though the oppressors never recognize it. Above all, Mr. Gaines portrays African American males as real men inspite of the odds they encounter. This is a wonderful read and is a must. I have read Catherine Carmier(love it) and Lessons Before Dyinng. Plan to read The Gathering of Old Men and Of Love snd Dust next.

Mr. Gaines writes aboout places and people who my family readily recognizes. We are first generation Californians and our family base is in Louisiana. All the places,faces and social situations are so familiar that in my lit class I was able to answer questions from other students. This book is wonderful reading. If you want a sense of Louisiana without the travel time, read anything written by Ernest Gaines.

This book takes place in the American South in the 1940's. A young black man, in the wrong place at the wrong time, was accused of murdering a white shopkeeper. Although he was innocent, the all-white jury sentanced him to the electric chair. Grant, a black teacher, has been asked to help the doomed man know that he is a man, despite the fact that the white men called him a hog.

This is a moving story of honor, racism, and what it means to be a hero. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I gave it only 3 1/2 stars (rounded up to four), however, because I found parts of it drawn out and painful to read. The convicted black man, Jefferson, is extremely cruel to his loving godmother. I don't feel it was necessary to draw this detail out quite as much. Also, Grant sees racism in every aspect of his life. After a while, the reader begins to say, "Yes I can see you feel this system is unfair, but do you really need to make it as blatantly obvious?" Still, one can only wonder what it was like to be the victem of this racism, and perhaps it is an honest depiction.

This is a powerful, poignant tale about the great evil and ultimately the greater good that human beings are capable of inflicting on each other. Set in segregation-era Louisiana, a young black man called Jefferson is falsely accused and convicted of murder. His godmother, enraged by the fact that he is compared to 'a hog' enlists the help of the local teacher Grant to 'make him a man' before he is put to death. Grant is initiatly reluctant to help Jefferson, as he himself is plauged with doubts about his own racial identity and goals as a teacher. This hence sets into a motion an incredible journey that changes the lives of all concerned forever. What makes this book an incredible read is the fact that it presents its message so effectively. It is a moral lesson without preaching, a cry for justice without propaganda. 'A Lesson Before Dying' compares favourably with other race-relation classics such as 'Cry Freedom' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. One must consider what is written in this book before even beginning to concieve what it means to be American, and for that matter human.

After reading this I immediatly ordered another Gaines book, and will undoubtedly read everything else he's written. The character's struggles are so universal, even though the time and place are very specific and far removed from someone like myself, an Asian-American female who grew up in the Southwest.

Gaines gives us insight into the climate of pre-Civil Rights Louisiana, and for the version I read (just shy over the 200-page mark), less is definitely more. The barest details and subtle nuances picked up through dialogue and the very believable interpretations by the main character are extraordinarily strong and perceptive. The story managed to remind me that not everyone of Caucasian descent during that time was hostile and unreasonable toward African and Black Americans, and that their actions oftentimes were dictated by the conditioning in their environment rather than deep-seated personal hatred and bigotry.

The main point of the story involved a teacher's (Grant)commissioning to impart his learning and knowledge unto a man (Jefferson) sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit. What at first seems like an unlikely "overnight" transformation hits home later in the most poignant way, when readers are given a special gift from Jefferson himself.

Please read this book.

This is one of the truest fiction books I have ever read. Gaines has a way of pulling you right in the story with Miss Jane! I actually felt that I was right there on the porch sitting with Gaines as he listened to her. I could feel the pain that Gaines describes as Miss Jane goes through the trials and tribulations after the civil war. How the black slaves felt when they were "set" free, known as "freedmen". I cried and laughed with Miss Jane throughout the book, reading this book gave me a true feeling of how things were for the blacks. Gaines does not leave out many of the brutal or violent details of the time. Gaines takes you right along with him on the journey of Miss Jane and Ned. I feel the language in the book was very appropriate for a lady from Louisiana. Gaines gave great insight on how the language was "really" spoken during that time. Gaines uses this book as an example of racism and discrimination. The theme of this story is that of the perseverance of the human spirit against persecution. I think this is a well-written book that helps you see what it was like to live as a black in those times in the American south.

I'd thought that it wouldn't be possible for a man to write GOOD fiction from a woman's point of view. "She's Come Undone" proved my point. "Memoirs of A Geisha" proved me wrong - and I thought I'd never again find a well written fictional piece about a woman and written by a man. Ernest J. Gaines proved me once again wrong in "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman."

Jane, born Ticey, was "interviewed" by a man who was interested in the life of a woman who'd lived from Slavery to Civil Rights. Jane was given her name by a Yankee soldier whom she'd been told to give water by her Mistress, and it was Jane's name from then on.

When the slaves were freed, she set out with several going North. Secesh men who'd been soldiers during the Civil War (in other words, days before!) killed everyone they could find - everyone except Jane and the son of another former slave. Jane was either ten or eleven years old at the time. She traveled with the child, Ned, and raised him as her own.

This book goes through her life, through the triumphs and the disappointments, through the times she spent on different plantations and doing different jobs. Working my way through the vernacular was a challenge, but it added credibility to the story. Hatred based on skin color is rampant throughout the book; so is Miss Jane's knowing "her place." Nonetheless, she tells with touching sorrow of the love of a white man for a Creole teacher. Happiest in the fields, she was incredibly profound when she spoke of talking to the trees: "Anybody caught talking to a chinaball tree or a thorn tree got to be crazy. But when you talk to an oak tree that's been here all these years, and knows more than you'll ever know, it's not craziness; it's just the nobility you respect."

Her stories give new meaning to "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." There are those who will dissect the book for symbolism. It's not necessary to do so; "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" carries itself just fine.

Miss. Jane Pittman is unsurpassed as a storyteller; this book is adapted from the oral dictation of a slave born before the civil war all the way through the 1960s to when blacks were gaining some respect.
This is an elaborate book starting at when Jane is serving water to different sets of soldiers. Her continual albeit fake admiration of the white men and woman is incredible. I could not imagine faking my way through life of liking persons. Her story tells us of how it was like to be hated, beated, tortured and given no respect whatsoever. It makes one wonder in awe how the world has cometo be.
Her story is poignant and mesmerizing. She speaks of how her life as slave was . . . how she was 'married' and bore her children. What amazes me most, is how she never lost her dream of becoming free; of never losing respect for 'the white people'. After all they did to her and her people, she never hated them. Jane Pittman felt this was her life, and God was going to do what he felt was right. What an incredible, selfless way to live!!
However true this book is, it seemed fake. Fake because I've never really known such injustice and racism like Miss. Jane Pittman suffered. This is a real book from a real woman. With the use of the language to the stories. For years I would start the book and it would never be completed. I am glad I have now. This is a book sure to be etched in persons minds forever.