I read cuckoo’s nest when I was young and I grasped it, even the acid trip, with pleased ease. But I tried to Read the Reivers around the same time and I could not get through the first paragraph, which I think was one sentence.
I’ve only ever attempted The Sound and the Fury, I had trouble finishing it though. Stopped a little more than half way through and haven’t picked up another of his again.
#SouthernGothic Confession time: I’ve only read the one short story by him ? Roses for Miss Emily? (that I printed out from some web site) and while it was good, not enough to make me want to read more of him—for now anyway 😉 🙂
I haven’t slogged through any of his novels; just a short story or two in college which I remember enjoying ( and getting an A on a paper about, which tends to enhance the experience, doesn’t it ?)
He is hands down my favorite author, I have read all his works, visited his home in Mississippi, read several biographies…..(even have his photograph in my living room) so I am a die hard fan…end of discussion for me but honestly respect anyone who has a different opinion, we are entitled to a choice…..love Cormac McCarthy also. I ❤????
@Sean Sutree certainly first for me…Border Trilogy, Blood Meridian is amazing…okay all his books, plays, ? I was just in the small town in Tesuque, New Mexico, of course no sight of Mr McCarthy ?
@Sean, oops, you meant favorite Faulkner!!! I cannot say, I do love them all. That is whimping out ? but it is always the last one I have read and I have read them all at least twice.
@Evelyn ?the borders trilogy is great, all the pretty horses is my favourite of the three. The roads my favourite though , blood meridian and no country for old men are great too. Suttree is the only one I’ve not read yet. I have it though ?
@Sean well, wonderful to meet another Cormac McCarthy admirer. Please let me know when you read Sutree, I would like your opinion and a question I have discussed with another McCarthy devotee. ?
@Evelyn I will do , It will probz be in about a month ? got a few books planned in. I’ve just started Kafka on the shore by murakami. Then I like to start the month with a biggie – Mays will be shantaram. Then ? I’ve got kings dark tower series.?
I think I’ve read pretty much all of Faulkner and really like this writing because he so completely inside his characters. It might be a good idea to start with some short stories. They are easier. (It also helps to live in the South! lol)
@Pat, it was a hard read in college, too! The mark of a gifted teacher is opening your eyes to and leading you through the material so you come out of the experience feeling it was time well spent. I was fortunate to have a number of lit teachers in both high school and college who fit that bill.
there is nothing to discuss, you like him or you don’t, i like how he describes the racist south, no one is changing my mind about it, and i can’t force anyone who doesn’t like him to do it
@Matt sorry you still have your comments, most of them will agree with you becasue the people like me who like faulkner are not going to change their mind and we are not going to try to change yours either
Comes down to personal choice. He will be overrated in some people’s eyes but similarly those who love him may think he’s underrated. Honestly I’ve not read enough of his books yet to make a sound judgement.
I run a Classics Book discussion at my local library. Last year I had them try Absalom, Absalom. On the day of the meeting I asked for someone to start the discussion, and after much hemming and hawing it was admitted by all that nobody had finished it. Most han’t gotten past the first 30 pages. I then spent the next hour telling them the story of Thomas Sutpen and his dynastic dream in excruciating detail. Nobody walked out. When I was finished people were going, “Wow. That’s a great story. Why didn’t Faulkner tell it like that?” My point being that he’s a great storyteller; it’s just that he’s a Southern storyteller. You need to slow down and take your time with him and he’ll reward you with a rich, intense reading experience.
When it comes to Bill either you love him or hate him. He is a challenge to read and most of his books take more than one read. He is the only writer of his time who includes African Americans in his stories. I really like Bill but I can see why many don’t.
Matt Nev Pope I read a lot of Hemingway and cannot think of one African American character be interested to know which book, big difference between the characters in Twain and Faulkner
I read three of his books, two in college, one in a mood. He is truly a regional writer with a decided viewpoint. My lasting memory from one of his books was perhaps the Snopes would start burning down each other. Really a weird thought.
He’s pracitically reached god status down here in the South. As an English major at a Southern university, I had to read several of Faulkner’s books. He can be difficult to understand, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the Southern mindset.
Evelyn Mayton, my comment was more an admission of my own laziness than any criticism of Faulkner; and on your enthusiastic endorsement, let me pick up one of his novels and read it through. Any particular recommendations ? Should I read them in order?
I read The Sound and the Fury. Candidly, I thought it an extremely difficult read. In fact, Faulkner complained – perhaps in a jocular fashion – how difficult it was to write, to another famous writer (I forget who). Still, undeterred, I tried As I Lay Dying. Hmm – I found that worse. I might try it again, another time. Too many other books to read first….
I read cuckoo’s nest when I was young and I grasped it, even the acid trip, with pleased ease. But I tried to Read the Reivers around the same time and I could not get through the first paragraph, which I think was one sentence.
Ken Kesey wrote one flew over the cuckoos nest! 🙂
I love Faulkner. I’m currently reading Light in August, and I love it.
I wrote my senior honors thesis on Light in August in college (back when dinosaurs ruled the earth).
That’s what I’m reading. Not far through, but finding it a bit dull
ill be honest and say the end is somewhat dragging on for me, but I’m a sucker for southern lit, so I really enjoy this type of writing.
I absolutely agree! I have trouble getting through his work and I simply don’t understand the praise?!??!
I like Faulkner.
I’ve only ever attempted The Sound and the Fury, I had trouble finishing it though. Stopped a little more than half way through and haven’t picked up another of his again.
I found it in my parents’ library and was excited to try Faulkner but I couldn’t even get through the first page : (
pity because the title sounds very intriguing
#SouthernGothic Confession time: I’ve only read the one short story by him ? Roses for Miss Emily? (that I printed out from some web site) and while it was good, not enough to make me want to read more of him—for now anyway 😉 🙂
I have only read A Rose for Emily , too. He’s one of the best where short stories are concerned, though, so I intend to read more.
Loved “The Reivers,” book and movie, and “Absalom, Absalom!” Both were read in college. Great class discussions…not everyone liked his work.
I had a college professor who RAVED about William Faulkner. Personally, I think meh.
I agree. I like his short stories, but his novels are terrible.
I haven’t slogged through any of his novels; just a short story or two in college which I remember enjoying ( and getting an A on a paper about, which tends to enhance the experience, doesn’t it ?)
He is hands down my favorite author, I have read all his works, visited his home in Mississippi, read several biographies…..(even have his photograph in my living room) so I am a die hard fan…end of discussion for me but honestly respect anyone who has a different opinion, we are entitled to a choice…..love Cormac McCarthy also. I ❤????
@Evelyn I see you’re sitting on the fence with this one ?
@Evelyn I love cormac McCarthy too. He’s probably my favourite author. If not he’s at a minimum my favourite contemporary author
@Sean I agree with you about Cormac McCarthy, my favorite contemporary author!
@Evelyn favourite books of his?
Which Faulkner would you recommend starting with?
@Sean Sutree certainly first for me…Border Trilogy, Blood Meridian is amazing…okay all his books, plays, ? I was just in the small town in Tesuque, New Mexico, of course no sight of Mr McCarthy ?
@Sean, oops, you meant favorite Faulkner!!! I cannot say, I do love them all. That is whimping out ? but it is always the last one I have read and I have read them all at least twice.
@Kris Soliders Pay, the very first.
@Evelyn thanks.
@Evelyn ?the borders trilogy is great, all the pretty horses is my favourite of the three. The roads my favourite though , blood meridian and no country for old men are great too. Suttree is the only one I’ve not read yet. I have it though ?
@Sean well, wonderful to meet another Cormac McCarthy admirer. Please let me know when you read Sutree, I would like your opinion and a question I have discussed with another McCarthy devotee. ?
@Evelyn I will do , It will probz be in about a month ? got a few books planned in. I’ve just started Kafka on the shore by murakami. Then I like to start the month with a biggie – Mays will be shantaram. Then ? I’ve got kings dark tower series.?
@Sean aahhhh love Kafka!!! Read the Dark Tower series, very good!!
@Evelyn ah that’s good to know I’ve had vol
One on my shelf for a while so I just ordered the remainder of the series ?
He’s a tough read. Not for the faint of heart but I find most of his work worth reading. You have to work at it.
I think I’ve read pretty much all of Faulkner and really like this writing because he so completely inside his characters. It might be a good idea to start with some short stories. They are easier. (It also helps to live in the South! lol)
Was subjected to Absalom Absalom in high school and hated it
That’s a hard read for a high school kid. Agreed.
@Pat, it was a hard read in college, too! The mark of a gifted teacher is opening your eyes to and leading you through the material so you come out of the experience feeling it was time well spent. I was fortunate to have a number of lit teachers in both high school and college who fit that bill.
Of course he is! Drove me mad!
Agreed. Like wading through porridge. :/
@Tante that’s a great description ? ?
Agreed
there is nothing to discuss, you like him or you don’t, i like how he describes the racist south, no one is changing my mind about it, and i can’t force anyone who doesn’t like him to do it
@Melany this is a discussion group for people to share ideas, not to shut down points of views they disagree with
@Kathy And who is doing that?
Me, who created a discussion point, or Melany, who wanted to shut the discussion down?
@Matt sorry you still have your comments, most of them will agree with you becasue the people like me who like faulkner are not going to change their mind and we are not going to try to change yours either
How true it is!
What truth are you referring to?
Light in August and As I lay Dying are both quite good.
Comes down to personal choice. He will be overrated in some people’s eyes but similarly those who love him may think he’s underrated. Honestly I’ve not read enough of his books yet to make a sound judgement.
I’d really like to give Faulkner a try. Which text should I start with ? ?
See below. Try Absalom, Absalom. It’s a ripping yarn. And – contrary to what you’d think – As I Lay Dying is a hoot!
I run a Classics Book discussion at my local library. Last year I had them try Absalom, Absalom. On the day of the meeting I asked for someone to start the discussion, and after much hemming and hawing it was admitted by all that nobody had finished it. Most han’t gotten past the first 30 pages. I then spent the next hour telling them the story of Thomas Sutpen and his dynastic dream in excruciating detail. Nobody walked out. When I was finished people were going, “Wow. That’s a great story. Why didn’t Faulkner tell it like that?” My point being that he’s a great storyteller; it’s just that he’s a Southern storyteller. You need to slow down and take your time with him and he’ll reward you with a rich, intense reading experience.
@Pat right!!
When it comes to Bill either you love him or hate him. He is a challenge to read and most of his books take more than one read. He is the only writer of his time who includes African Americans in his stories. I really like Bill but I can see why many don’t.
@Lucie Other writers did too. Twain, Conrad and Hemingway to name three
Matt Nev Pope I read a lot of Hemingway and cannot think of one African American character be interested to know which book, big difference between the characters in Twain and Faulkner
But it is fine you don’t like Faulkner many don’t but many do
I read three of his books, two in college, one in a mood. He is truly a regional writer with a decided viewpoint. My lasting memory from one of his books was perhaps the Snopes would start burning down each other. Really a weird thought.
Wrong
He’s pracitically reached god status down here in the South. As an English major at a Southern university, I had to read several of Faulkner’s books. He can be difficult to understand, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the Southern mindset.
Nancy Elizabeth Dean
And, what kind of a mind set are you talking about, when you speak of a Southern mindset?
What is unique about the Southern mindset that would distinguish it from tbe Midwest, East or West?
General Comment
Non-American speakers of English , too often have difficulty understanding American Englsh when spoken by an American.
This, then leads to anger, followed by abusive/aggressive verbal outbursts.
Evelyn Mayton, my comment was more an admission of my own laziness than any criticism of Faulkner; and on your enthusiastic endorsement, let me pick up one of his novels and read it through. Any particular recommendations ? Should I read them in order?
The Unvanquished is a good starter novel
I read The Sound and the Fury. Candidly, I thought it an extremely difficult read. In fact, Faulkner complained – perhaps in a jocular fashion – how difficult it was to write, to another famous writer (I forget who). Still, undeterred, I tried As I Lay Dying. Hmm – I found that worse. I might try it again, another time. Too many other books to read first….
Oh … to respond to Matt’s discussion point: No, he is not, I think. He was a Nobel Prize winner, after all. And a successful screen writer.