The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

By: Ernest J. Gaines

Narrated by: Tonya Jordan

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

This is a novel in the guise of the tape-recorded recollections of a black woman who has lived 110 years, who has been both a slave and a witness to the black militancy of the 1960s. In this woman, Ernest Gaines has created a legendary figure, a woman equipped to stand beside William Faulkner's Dilsey in The Sound and the Fury. Miss Jane Pittman, like Dilsey, has "endured", has seen almost everything and foretold the rest.

©1971 Bantam Books (P)1996 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Gaines' novel brings to mind other great works: The Odyssey, for the way his heroine's travels manage to summarize the American history of her race; and Huckleberry Finn for the clarity of her voice, for her rare capacity to sort through the mess of years and things to find the one true story of it all." (Newsweek)

Totally enjoyable

The whole book was enjoyable and the audible was just as awesome. Really great book for young people. I love listening to the history, how life really was. So thankful life isn’t so messed up…even so, there’s still room for change. I will read or listen again….after I have time to digest this book. Thanks for this lovely story.

Excellent book

Wish this was a required reading back, it was so personal and interesting historically and emotionally. The reader made you really see the events. Highly recommend this book.

A classic

I remember when this first came out. I believe the movie came out first with Cecily Tyson. She was wonderful as were her makeup artists aging her from a young woman 110 year old.

It was a made for TV movie that one of my Junior High teachers illegally taped because he thought it was so important to show us.

I was extremely glad he did. I am also glad I reread it nearly five decades later. It still has a lot to say about our society.

The Autobiography of Jane Pitman

I watched the movie based on the story with Cicely Tyson portraying the main character. I believed it was based on a true story, but further research revealed Jane Pitman is a fictional character. However, it was a clear window into the plight, community, and struggle for truth, dignity , and required change for an afflicted people. The fight continues today.

Interesting But Ordinary

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a post-civil war fictionalized autobiography. It follows the life of 110 year old Jane Pittman as she narrates the experience of being a former slave after  the civil war ends until the civil right area. When first published in the 1970s The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman might have a fresh look into the lives for the formerly enslaved and their fight for equality. Unfortunately, the book does not stand the test of time and Miss Jane Pittman's story seems common to those with knowledge of Black History after the Civil War. It doesn't help the narrative that Miss Pittman herself is somewhat a reluctant narrative and doesn't feel that her story is special. Jane Pittman gives readers brief glimpses into events that she felt were important in her life and shaped who she was, and as noted before these events were rather common. The only unique factor of Gaines’ fictionalized autobiography is the location of Louisiana. It was interesting to notice the differences and similarities in the life experience of the formerly enslaved and there descents in Louisiana when compared to other parts of the South.  But over The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a victim of time and by modern but standards is underwhelming and offers very few new revelations.

Important read

Time well spent, I enjoyed the intricate details even from the earliest stages of life recalled by this 100+ Woman!!!

Mildly disappointed

The story started out very scattered and I hoped it would get better toward the end, but it didn't. not sure if it was due to the way the narrator read it or not. The ending was very abrupt. I'm going to try and watch the movie in hopes of finding some redemption for the audio book.

Beyond the memory of its TV adaptation

Beautifully read and powerfully moving. Literary history as a potent reminder of what’s at stake.

Sheesh! Amazing read

This book was so great. Mrs. Janepittman is such a character. I love the plot. I love the strength. I love everything about this audiobook.

Great Read

My students were inspired by the story. It corresponded well with our current history studies.