A Gathering of Old Men

By: Sally Darling, Ernest J. Gaines

Narrated by: Peter Francis James, Michelle-Denise Woods

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Stirring, heroic, and wonderfully laced with the musical languages of the Bayou, Ernest J. Gaines - the foremost voice in contemporary African American literature - adds another breathtaking saga to his canon with A Gathering of Old Men.

When Sheriff Mapes is summoned to a sugarcane plantation to find a dead Cajun farmer, he knows who committed the crime. Mapes finds himself powerless, however, when nearly 20 elderly black men confess to the murder. Can justice be served, or will the dead man's brutish father pass judgment his way?

Building to a climax that is as stunning as it is inevitable, A Gathering of Old Men powerfully describes the racial tensions in 1970s Louisiana. Narrators Peter Francis James, Michelle-Denise Woods, Sally Darling, Graham Brown, Murphy Guyer, Tom Stechschulte, and Mark Hammer bring Gaines' masterful prose to vivid life.

©1992 Ernest J. Gaines (P)1996 Recorded Books

Love Gaines!!

This author captures so much emotion and nuance. I just love his work and how he represents the people and ways of rural Louisiana.

Well done

Although I feel everyone should read and experience this book, I especially think black men should read this book. This touches on the experience of every black man on planet earth.

Wonderful narration!

The different voices for each character really brought this poignant story into my heart. Very well done 👏🏻❤️

A beautiful, neglected book

I read this book for my podcast, Close Reads, and started slowly. The multiple perspectives slowed my roll. But the book built momentum and ended with verve and poignancy. —The performances are superb!

Great Read!

The narrators are talented yet I need to be reminded who is speaking (My fault).

Plot is very interesting at all times whether it be a background story or a reason they shot Bo.

Ending is disappointingly simple with the 5 year punishments for everyone. In my opinion. the case should've gone more in-depth and the reason why the news crew was mentioned still confuses me.

Sad but True

I grew up in this part of the country in this part of the century. This story recreated all the memories; good and bad. It made me laugh and cry and is a reminder that some of what happened then, led to what is happening today. The various narrators were great and spot on. Have your older teenagers listen with you. There are things here that they need to know.

Excellent in every way

How I have never read this book before I don’t know, but I’m so glad I found it. It is one of the most true things I have ever read. It captures a time, a place, a story, a feeling, a lived experience a tells it expertly. Each narrator did an excellent job and it would be especially useful to someone unaccustomed to the pronunciation of Louisiana names, terms, etc. Mr. Gaines is An amazing author and I can’t wait to read his other books.

excellent narration

This book was very entertaining and felt like a movie with the different narrators

incredibly, delightful, wonderful story

I loved this book, great performances with incredible voices. a great addition to your library

EXCELLENT!

Years ago, when I was in my 30's, my son and I watched the movie that starred Louis Gosset Jr. Now in my 60's, my husband and I listened to the audible which was great and couldn't resist watching the movie also. As an old man in his 70's, my husband was able to see and understand the honor and pride of these brave men who took a stand and held their ground because they were sick and tired of being abused and ignored. Even if it cost their lives. And let's not overlook the women who also took a stand. They may not have had shotguns, but their voices added to the strength of the gathering.