After reading A Gathering of Old Men I put Ernest Gaines on my authors to read list. Now after reading In my Father's House I put Ernest Gaines on a list of important writers of the century. Ernest Gaines tells the story of Reverend Philip Martin a civil rights leader who found salvation after a tremendous past. Now he's a respected leader in his community and lives a peaceful life, when he comes face to face with a mysterous stranger who holds the key to his past. Now Rev Martin goes back to where it all began and discovers what happens when you try to hide from the past and what happens when it comes back to haunt you. I loved this book. Ernest Gaines writes story is honest, compelling, and unforgetable. I was mesmorized by Gaines style. He lets the reader in on the complexities and feelings of these characters. After I finished this book it went on my top 20 books of all time. This is a book that should be read by everyone. Another classic by Ernest Gaines.