Earlier this year I went to the post office to get stamps, and I saw a set of stamps in the Black Heritage series depicting Ernest J. Gaines. I had never heard of this man. Who was he, I thought?
I bought the stamps and headed home, but it didn't seem right to use them without getting familiar with his work which is clearly a big fucking deal if he's on a stamp. When I got home I googled him and l found his book "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" on Libby and borrowed it.
Well I just finished the book and wow! Phenomenal book. I absolutely understand why he is on a stamp and I thank whoever advocated for him to be on a stamp for introducing me to his work.
If you also missed out on Ernest Gaines' work in your literary education... go read this book! And more of his work!