Faulkner

[sixsmith]

After a less than successful encounter with "The Sound and the Fury" several years ago, i've decided that i need to attempt Faulkner again. I know there are several Faulknerites on this forum and was wondering if you could offer a potential entry point for the uninitiated. Cheers.

[mayneverhave]

After a less than successful encounter with "The Sound and the Fury" several years ago, i've decided that i need to attempt Faulkner again. I know there are several Faulknerites on this forum and was wondering if you could offer a potential entry point for the uninitiated. Cheers.

I would highly recommend sticking with The Sound and the Fury, as it is my favorite Faulkner novel. If that seems to difficult, perhaps try starting with As I Lay Dying, as the chapters are shorter and the book is (for the most part) more of a page turner.

As for the actual reading of the novel - I suggest a number of things.

- Pick up some criticism of the novel from the library. This could be Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations, one of the many Faulkner books by Cleanth Brooks, or simply a Faulkner reader's guide. This would introduce you to Faulkner's theme and style.

- Read Sparknotes. Sparknotes is not the end of the road when it comes to interpretation, but it can help you with difficult plot points (of which there are many in The Sound and the Fury). Use the notes, figure out the plot, and then you can come to a decision regarding theme and character later.

- There is a hypertext version of The Sound and the Fury online (simply google Hypertext Sound and the Fury). This online version can sort the Benjy and Quentin sections into chronological order, which is completely counter-productive to Faulkner's time experiments, but allows the reader to understand what is going on at first. Faulkner himself had the idea to publish the novel using different colored ink to designate time shifts, but this proved infeasible.

[kelby_lake]

I'm reading Soldiers' Pay at the moment, which I really like.

[Virgil]

I must put in a good word for my favorite Faulkner novel, Light In August. :D

[DisPater]

The Reivers - not one of Faulkner's greatest novels, but it's easy to read and very funny.
also, Intruder in the Dust - quite OK if you are a Faulkner beginner.
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Personally, my favorites are Absalom! Absalom!, "The Sound and the Fury" and "Go Down, Moses".

[Equality72521]

After a less than successful encounter with "The Sound and the Fury" several years ago, i've decided that i need to attempt Faulkner again. I know there are several Faulknerites on this forum and was wondering if you could offer a potential entry point for the uninitiated. Cheers.

I have only had the fortune of reading the Sound and the Fury. I found though, that you have to just keep pushing through even though it gets tough to understand. I definately say that you should reading it again and possibly once more after that. It is definately a good book to discuss with people - it is really great if you have people to bounce ideas off of and helps to understand better....only if it has beenwith people who have read it :p

After I discussed with others and re-read it, I enjoyed it much more. I think he has an incredible writing style...

Also, he actually wanted to do the print in color at first but it would have been too expensive. Just a lil fun fact

[JBI]

I must put in a good word for my favorite Faulkner novel, Light In August. :D

Yeah, definitely one of my favorite novels - it seems to have everything.

[Stargazer86]

I must put in a good word for my favorite Faulkner novel, Light In August. :D

I had to read "A Light in August" for a class once, and truthfully, I didn't like it much the first time around. I'm not sure what it was that so turned me off to it. It's a pretty heavy story. So if you're down in the dumps at all as I was when I read it, it's probably not a good one to read.

But then I thought I'd try it again, and I really ended up liking it. Perhaps his style just takes a little acclimation (sp?) Hopefully you'll find Faulkner a little more to your liking once you've read a couple of his stories or re read the one you have already. The Spark notes and literary critism idea is a great suggestion

[mmccall7]

Faulkner is a difficult read so dont feel too discouraged.

Everyone here has given you great suggestions (especially the sparknotes/criticism readings). definitely take those into account.

Light in August and As I Lay Dying are great.

Here is my suggestion, maybe start out reading some of his short stories. My favorites are A Rose For Emily, Barn Burning, and That Evening Sun. Definitely check those out as the shorter fiction might be an easy entry to his longer novels.

[sixsmith]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will perhaps start with 'As i lay dying' or 'Light in August' and see how i go.