About this title: Ernest J. Gaines's third novel, published in 1971, narrates, as if it were a work of oral history, the life story of a 110-year-old black woman in the South. Miss Jane Pittman was born into slavery and, during her long and eventful life, she experiences the problems of post-Civil War existence for freed slaves, falls in love but never marries, raises a child, and becomes involved in the rise of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Throughout, Miss Jane's story is told in the black vernacular language of her times. Gaines's achievement is to create both an authentic and vivid voice for his ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Glencoe McGraw-Hill
Date Published: 2000
ISBN-13:9780028179711ISBN:0028179714
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. nice tight UNMARKED hardcover, sharp corners, strong binding, only slight edge wear, looks rarely used, AL5L2NV. 215 p. read more
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 272 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. mmpt shelf wear to cover read more
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 272 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: Fair. No dust jacket as issued. pages have the aged coloring, corner of front cover bent, spot on top of page edge, writing on inside of back cover. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 272 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: New York: Bantam Books, 1976
Description: Soft Cover. Fair-Good. 17th Printing. Paperback, former high school library book. Cover has tear on right upper corner and a pink smudge. Inside of book. very good, no markings. read more
"Have you ever wanted freedom and then got it and then didn't know what to do with it? This happened to Miss Jane Pittman. Pittman was only eleven or twelve years old when she was freed from slavery. When she was freed her heart was set on Ohio, but she didn't know how to get there. And on top of that she had to take care of a little boy, Ned, while she tried to find her way to Ohio. On her way she met tons of people. She met people who wanted to demolish her race. She met people who wanted to help her race out. And she met people who didn't care what her goal was, but as long she was in their presence they will offer their best hospitality they can give. In the end she never made to Ohio, but began a new journey of survival, self rightousness and determination to accomplish any challenge that was thrown in her way. And in this journey she became wise, and stronger than she could have ever been. She looked the devil in the face and watch it kill the closest to her. But from these experiences she endured, she was able to become strong, even in her fragile body as she got old in age.
I learned a lesson from Miss Jane Pittman. It was no matter how hard the devil tries to break you down, and destroy you, if you stay close to God, nothing will break you down. But instead of breaking you down it will make you stronger, wiser, and it will make you have more faith in God.
This was one of the most overwhelming stories I have read, but in a sense it was loving, bold and a very rich story. Ernest J. Gaines did a great job writing this novel and he hooked me in from the very first page to the very last. I have to say that this is my favorite book I have read so far."
"The novel is fictional but reads like nonfiction. Gaines speaks directly to audience as though he is relating the true story of a former slave who is now 110. The story follows Jane Pittman from her childhood on a plantation to her involvment in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Harmony and equality between races seems unlikely throughout."
"Ernest Gaines is another favorite author. Who knew he'd be famous for this one? His novels are such a fair representation of our part of the South. The people really talk like that and live like that and do these things. Incredible story, but not even his favorite."
"This novel is written in first person, making it sound like a real autobiography. I had the audiobook, read by Lynne Thigpen, who did an excellent job. If you like audiobooks, definitely get this one--it is very interesting and entertaining. The book tells the story of Jane Pittman, born into slavery and freed when she was 10 or 11. She lives for over 100 years and we see up to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. I got a kick out of her comments about the levies in New Orleans and man's inability to control water for the long term."
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