Ernest J. Gaines'
A Lesson Before Dying was another book I'd had sitting around for awhile. I think it came to my attention a few years ago when I was perusing lists of the books cities had chosen for their "If all ... read the same book" programs. The main character is a black schoolteacher who's been pressured by his aunt and her friend to visit the friend's son in jail where he's awaiting execution for a murder he didn't commit.
posted by kristin at 2:46 PM