Faulkner: where to start?

holymadness · 09-16-2012, 10:34 AM

I've recently come into possession of Faulkner's complete works. Embarrassingly, I haven't yet had the chance to read any of his novels. But there are so many; is there a logical starting point? The Snopes trilogy, Absalom, Absalom!, Light in August... they're all reputed to be classics.

Zetmolm · 09-16-2012, 04:03 PM

One logical approach would be to read them in the order they were published.

Hamlet53 · 09-16-2012, 04:50 PM

I would suggest starting with some short stories. The Sound and the Fury
is good, but may seem a difficult read to someone new to Faulkner.

Dr. Drib · 09-16-2012, 05:05 PM

Check out the short story, "Barn Burning," I believe it's called.

This was later incorporated into part of the Snopes Trilogy.

As far as novels go, a good introduction to Faulkner's style and one that is quite accessible, in my opinion, is "As I Lay Dying."

Let us know what you think.

Don

fantasyfan · 09-16-2012, 05:27 PM

The first Faulkner novel I read was As I Lay Dying. It had a remarkable and immediate impact.

However, the short story "A Rose For Emily" is one of the most haunting and horrible modern Gothic horror stories I have ever read! Absolutely Unforgettable!

holymadness · 09-16-2012, 06:54 PM

Thanks, I'll read As I Lay Dying and report back.

Zetmolm: An author's first work is rarely their best, and usually not what establishes their reputation. I tend to avoid them; even my favourite writers' first books are usually disappointing compared to what they later produced.

aecardenas · 09-16-2012, 09:19 PM

In my opinion, Faulkner wrote two masterpieces: The Sound and the Fury, and As I Lay Dying.

The Sound and the Fury feels like a unintentional masterpiece, meaning I think he came to write it more naturally and more organically than his other books. It's like he was trying to tell one story...but couldn't decide on which way to tell it. He tried one way, from one perspective. Then he tried it again with a completely different point of view. Then he tried it again from someone else's eyes. Finally, he tried to distance himself and tell it from a more godlike perspective and it is this method that really makes this book incredibly powerful.

As I Lay Dying...is probably his most deliberate masterpiece. The alternate points of views in the form of internal monologues used to piece together an engrossing narrative is quite stunning. But it does feel like he actively tried to be great, and, in my mind, achieve the greatness that he sought.

Faulkner's writing is akin to a prose poem, lush and dense as a jungle, dark and mysterious as a person's soul. His use of the language is incredibly powerful and profound. The man could describe the hell out of something. So much that once you read his interpretation of something (drinking water from a cedar bucket, the fall of rain in summer, the smell of a woman's skin, the sense of fatality and time) you can't picture the object of his description in any other way than the way in which it was described. A true mark of a great artist.

Anyway, all this to just say...ENJOY! I envy you the discovery of Faulkner. Makes me want to re-read my Faulkner collection.

kennyc · 09-19-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Check out the short story, "Barn Burning," I believe it's called.

This was later incorporated into part of the Snopes Trilogy.

As far as novels go, a good introduction to Faulkner's style and one that is quite accessible, in my opinion, is "As I Lay Dying."

Let us know what you think.

Don

Agree with this. Barn Burning is amazing.

The Bear
and A Rose for Emily as well.

poohbear_nc · 09-19-2012, 08:03 AM

After I saw this thread I pulled up my copy of Faulkner's short stories last night - and started with Barn Burning, and kept right on going. Once again I say Wow! Powerful stuff. And quite readable once you get attuned to the Yoknapatawpha idiom. [I love saying that word out loud!]

Jozawun · 09-21-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

After I saw this thread I pulled up my copy of Faulkner's short stories last night - and started with Barn Burning, and kept right on going. Once again I say Wow! Powerful stuff. And quite readable once you get attuned to the Yoknapatawpha idiom. [I love saying that word out loud!]

I can't even say it in my head.

kennyc · 09-21-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jozawun

I can't even say it in my head.

I know that one! I can't either.

hidari · 09-21-2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamlet53

I would suggest starting with some short stories. The Sound and the Fury
is good, but may seem a difficult read to someone new to Faulkner.

Start Sound and the Fury with Part IV then read parts I, II and III....it makes the story much, much easier to comprehend and you will enjoy it more.

holymadness · 09-21-2012, 09:51 PM

I started As I Lay Dying. Between the stream of consciousness and the Yoknapatawpha idiom, it's quite a challenging read.

Atrox · 05-06-2013, 12:45 PM

I disagree with Hidari, you should certainly read The Sound and The Fury in order; don't start with the last part. And if you enjoy the multiple perspectives, I can also recommend The Alexandria Quartet (Durrell). Both are favorites of mine.

Andanzas · 05-07-2013, 04:17 AM

I would have said Light in August, but As I Lay Dying is also a great choice. The first chapter of The Sound and the Fury can be a very frustrating puzzle, as there are important pieces missing, and I know of some people never who never returned to Faulkner after starting with that book.

09-16-2012, 10:34 AM	#1
holymadness Fanatic Posts: 520 Karma: 1442371 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPhone	Faulkner: where to start? I've recently come into possession of Faulkner's complete works. Embarrassingly, I haven't yet had the chance to read any of his novels. But there are so many; is there a logical starting point? The Snopes trilogy, Absalom, Absalom!, Light in August... they're all reputed to be classics.

09-16-2012, 05:05 PM	#4
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 21,650 Karma: 7299295 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Borja (Lima), Peru Device: Pcktbk 360; Kindle Paperwhite (WiFi)/ Fire HD; nook STR & Col; KoboGlo	Check out the short story, "Barn Burning," I believe it's called. This was later incorporated into part of the Snopes Trilogy. As far as novels go, a good introduction to Faulkner's style and one that is quite accessible, in my opinion, is "As I Lay Dying." Let us know what you think. Don __________________ “How to Write the First 3 Paragraphs of YOUR Indie Novel” - by Max Waxwelp 1) Always write 3 sentences of exposition; 2) now create some dialogue, preferably no more than 2 sentences; and 3) make certain the dialogue is either inane or humorous. Example: “Bob, I did not know you wore yellow suspenders,” Sally remarked. “Gee, Sally, those are not suspenders. I am wearing yellow underwear today,” Bob revealed. The dialogue above will help produce at least 100 more pages of dialogue.

09-16-2012, 05:27 PM	#5
fantasyfan Fanatic Posts: 588 Karma: 3511438 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ireland Device: Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi only, iPad, iPod Touch 3G	The first Faulkner novel I read was As I Lay Dying. It had a remarkable and immediate impact. However, the short story "A Rose For Emily" is one of the most haunting and horrible modern Gothic horror stories I have ever read! Absolutely Unforgettable! __________________ The Heart's a Heavy Burden--Howl's Moving Castle "Time and Relative Dimension in Space"

09-16-2012, 06:54 PM	#6
holymadness Fanatic Posts: 520 Karma: 1442371 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPhone	Thanks, I'll read As I Lay Dying and report back. Zetmolm: An author's first work is rarely their best, and usually not what establishes their reputation. I tend to avoid them; even my favourite writers' first books are usually disappointing compared to what they later produced. Last edited by holymadness; 09-16-2012 at 09:21 PM.

09-19-2012, 08:03 AM	#9
poohbear_nc Spring Chicken! Posts: 22,701 Karma: 37020252 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made + KoboGlo + Kobo Aura!	After I saw this thread I pulled up my copy of Faulkner's short stories last night - and started with Barn Burning, and kept right on going. Once again I say Wow! Powerful stuff. And quite readable once you get attuned to the Yoknapatawpha idiom. [I love saying that word out loud!] __________________ "If possible please provide picture of Mr. Chickens new home or field. Proof that you will not eat him would help too." (Craigslist)

09-16-2012, 04:03 PM	#2
Zetmolm Evangelist Posts: 418 Karma: 835018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Onyx Boox 60, PocketBook Touch	One logical approach would be to read them in the order they were published.

09-16-2012, 04:50 PM	#3
Hamlet53 American Senator Posts: 2,832 Karma: 25550144 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Sony 900, Nook Color (androided), Coby 10.1" Kyros Tablet	I would suggest starting with some short stories. The Sound and the Fury is good, but may seem a difficult read to someone new to Faulkner.

09-16-2012, 09:19 PM	#7
aecardenas Kafkaesque Posts: 90 Karma: 1149770 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: California Device: Kindle	In my opinion, Faulkner wrote two masterpieces: The Sound and the Fury, and As I Lay Dying. The Sound and the Fury feels like a unintentional masterpiece, meaning I think he came to write it more naturally and more organically than his other books. It's like he was trying to tell one story...but couldn't decide on which way to tell it. He tried one way, from one perspective. Then he tried it again with a completely different point of view. Then he tried it again from someone else's eyes. Finally, he tried to distance himself and tell it from a more godlike perspective and it is this method that really makes this book incredibly powerful. As I Lay Dying...is probably his most deliberate masterpiece. The alternate points of views in the form of internal monologues used to piece together an engrossing narrative is quite stunning. But it does feel like he actively tried to be great, and, in my mind, achieve the greatness that he sought. Faulkner's writing is akin to a prose poem, lush and dense as a jungle, dark and mysterious as a person's soul. His use of the language is incredibly powerful and profound. The man could describe the hell out of something. So much that once you read his interpretation of something (drinking water from a cedar bucket, the fall of rain in summer, the smell of a woman's skin, the sense of fatality and time) you can't picture the object of his description in any other way than the way in which it was described. A true mark of a great artist. Anyway, all this to just say...ENJOY! I envy you the discovery of Faulkner. Makes me want to re-read my Faulkner collection.

09-21-2012, 09:51 PM	#13
holymadness Fanatic Posts: 520 Karma: 1442371 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPhone	I started As I Lay Dying. Between the stream of consciousness and the Yoknapatawpha idiom, it's quite a challenging read.

05-06-2013, 12:45 PM	#14
Atrox Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Texas Device: none	I disagree with Hidari, you should certainly read The Sound and The Fury in order; don't start with the last part. And if you enjoy the multiple perspectives, I can also recommend The Alexandria Quartet (Durrell). Both are favorites of mine.

05-07-2013, 04:17 AM	#15
Andanzas Out of print Posts: 371 Karma: 1094140 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Device: Sony Reader PRS-500 (recycled), PRS-350, Asus Transformer	I would have said Light in August, but As I Lay Dying is also a great choice. The first chapter of The Sound and the Fury can be a very frustrating puzzle, as there are important pieces missing, and I know of some people never who never returned to Faulkner after starting with that book. __________________ It took me three hours to write this post.

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