history
...ittman. Augustine had no legs, but she cooked, cleaned, and also took care of other members of their family. At the age of fifteen Gaines moved to Vallejo, California with his mother, and stepfather. Moving to California was very beneficial for Gaines, because he was able enter a library without having to worry about getting kicked out, because of his color. He was also able received a better education. The library was a place for Gaines to retreat, and read books written by his favorite authors such as Ivan Turgenev (Russian), Willa Cather, and William Faulkner (both Americans). Gaines chose to read stories of Russian peasants and immigrants, because there were not any rural black subjects or authors in any other books. The non-existence of black subjects, and authors inspired Gaines to write about African American experiences. “We cannot ignore that rural past or those older people in it. Their stories are the kind I want to write about. I am what I am today because of them,” said Gaines i...