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A Gathering of Old Men

A Gathering of Old Men

Historical FictionLiterary Fiction
Pages
213
Published
1983
Language
English

Synopsis

In a small Louisiana town, the murder of a white farmer by an unknown assailant ignites a powder keg of racial tension. When the victim's family brings in a Cajun detective, the community's carefully constructed facade begins to crumble. The men of the town, each with their own secrets and grievances, must confront their past and present to uncover the truth.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

TenseDarkThought-ProvokingReflective
RevengeMorally Grey

Genres

Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Society Crime

About the author

E
Ernest J. Gaines

Ernest J. Gaines was born on a plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, the oldest of 12 children. His parents moved to Vallejo, California during World War II, so he was raised by his aunt, who was crippled and limited to crawling to get around. His was the fifth generation of share croppers to live on the plantation, and his family lived in a house that had formerly been slave quarters. During the summers, he picked cotton, and during the winters he was educated at the the plantation chu...

Characters

Candy MarshallSupporting
All characters in A Gathering of Old Men

Frequently asked questions

  • Is A Gathering of Old Men part of a series?

    This novel is a standalone work and does not require reading any other books by Ernest J. Gaines to understand its story or characters.

  • Is there a film adaptation of A Gathering of Old Men?

    A television film adaptation of "A Gathering of Old Men" was produced and aired, starring Louis Gossett Jr. and Richard Widmark.

  • What makes A Gathering of Old Men significant in American literature?

    The novel is frequently studied in high school and college curricula for its exploration of racial injustice, community solidarity, and the dignity of elderly Black men in the American South.