Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
192nd out of 1,167 books
—
878 voters
Selected Short Stories
William Faulkner was a master of the short story. Most of the pieces in this collection are drawn from the greatest period in his writing life, the fifteen or so years beginning in 1929, when he published The Sound and the Fury. They explore many of the themes found in the novels and feature characters of small-town Mississippi life that are uniquely Faulkner’s. In “A Rose...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
May 18th 1993
by Modern Library
(first published August 12th 1956)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,192)
I was very disappointed with this collection of short stories. I have not read any of Faulkner's novels and thought this might be a great way to sample the works of a literary legend.
Well, if this is representative of his novel length works than I'm just as happy to go to my grave a Faulkner virgin.
I am surprised this collection averaged over four stars. Then I went back and read some of the reviews. Many people who wrote reviews seemed to have decided they liked the book before they read it and...more
Well, if this is representative of his novel length works than I'm just as happy to go to my grave a Faulkner virgin.
I am surprised this collection averaged over four stars. Then I went back and read some of the reviews. Many people who wrote reviews seemed to have decided they liked the book before they read it and...more
I first fell in love with William Faulkner from his short stories. I have such a Faulkner crush! "A Rose for Emily,"how could anyone go wrong possibly reading that?! By far, the best short story I ever read. I spent many weeks analyzing Emily's disturbing behavior. I was amazed by the way that Faulkner sequenced events in "A Rose for Emily." What about "Barn Burning?" Another short story favorite! His unique writing and use of stream of consciousness made that story remarkable. I am fascinated b...more
Everything by Faulkner in his prime is amazing, but "That Evening Sun" (sometimes titled, "That Evening Sun, Gone Down") is one of my favorites. It's shot through with visceral imagery that comes from some place other than the conscious mind and works on the reader's mind in the same way. It's also one of the best evocations of a child's consciousness that I've ever read -- meaning, it's not just sentimentally innocent, but disorienting, unnerving and rich in ways that are almost surreal. With t...more
Faulkner has a very distinct writing style and may be difficult at times. His symbolism is harder to recognize and interpret. Many say he was a genius. I believe he was a great writer that observed his surroundings well; however, some of the credit he's given is probably undeserved. He was a drunk who could not even keep a job at a post office. Could he have really mastered all the symbolism and trickery? I don't think so. Some aspects of his stories might just be mere observations, not intricat...more
ویلیام فالکنر از رمان "ابشالوم، ابشالوم" برای اولین بار به نام یک منطقه ی خیالی به نام "یوکناپاتوفا" اشاره کرد. این سرزمین خیالی که در اطراف رود می سی سی قرار گرفته به گفته ی فالکنر2400 مایل مربع مساحت و 15611 نفر جمعیت دارد و مرکز آن شهر "جفرسن" است. فالکنر می نویسد این منطقه به نام اوست و از آن اوست و همه ی امتیازات آن متعلق به اوست. اغلب آثار بلند و کوتاه فالکنر، در مورد زندگی، روابط و ماجراهای شخصیت هایی ست که در این منطقه در جنوب مرکزی ایالات متحده زندگی می کنند، منطقه ای که در آن سرخپوستان...more
"Selected Short Stories of William Faulkner" is at once lush, vivid, tense, startlingly refreshing and frequently overwrought. Often times the stories seemed to take a backseat to the immensely rich detail, and, as a result, I found that the middle stretch of stories in this collection blurred into one great heap of beautifully labored prose. Standouts in this small collection are "Barn Burning," "Two Soldiers," "A Rose for Emily," "Dry September," "Red Leaves," "Mountain Victory" and "Race at M...more
The short stories in this book were much easier of a read than a lot of his novels, but some of the stories toward the end got a lot more typical in the Faulkner sense of the word where you had to go back and read a paragraph a 2nd or 3rd time to make sense of it. All the best short stories are in the first 1/2-3/4 of the book anyway. He is one of the best writers of gritty Americana, a lot of his stories deal with the worst side of people and if your like me and you love writers like Cormac McC...more
I don't remember having read any Faulkner before - I've certainly never read one of his books, but I might have read one or two of his short stories along the way. This was interesting; interesting enough to make me want to try one of his novels. But I didn't really like his depictions of middle-aged, unmarried women. He has what seems to me a very 19th Century view of how being unmarried (and presumably, a virgin), makes a woman twisted and pathetic. Did Faulkner ever create a sympathetic, stro...more
an uneven collection of stories - dunno what the logic was behind the selection. though maybe this is my own personal bias, since i like faulkner best when he's being, well, FAULKNER: excessive, extravagent, and sometimes hilariously overwrought. i mean, just LOOK at this sentence: "She breathed quietly into the crack through which the voices came now without heat or significance out of that dark and smoldering and violent and childlike vanity of men: 'I reckon you know these when you see them t...more
A great selection of short stories but bear in mind I'm becoming a Faulkner fanatic. High points include A Rose for Emily, Barn Burning, Race at Morning, Two Soldiers and Mountain Victory. The short stories are probably the best way to start with Faulkner, so crack this little book and step into the mythical world of Yoknapatawpha County!
Some of these stories were amazing and mind blowing, but others weren't that interesting. I know they must have been good to get into this compilation, but I wasn't interested in all of them... maybe that's just me.
However, the first few stories were so, so good. Around the middle/end I may have lost focus or the stories just got less current/interesting, I'm not sure.
However, the first few stories were so, so good. Around the middle/end I may have lost focus or the stories just got less current/interesting, I'm not sure.
I'm not sure if I loved these short stories or I was just overwhelmed with joy that they made more sense than The Sound and the Fury. The stories were well written and very descriptive but I still often couldn't figure out what the point was to the stories. I think that is why I like real books better. Short stories are over so quickly and if you don't get the point they seem like a waste of time.
One of my favorite writers. "Barn Burning" the symbolism and actions of humanity; excellent discussion story. "Rose for Emily" has such passion and desperate romantic notions, it's a look into the depths that people will got to for affection and companionship.
The stories were good, but they didn't resonate with me in any meaningful sense. Some I liked better than others, but I didn't have a favorite. I was often confused and wasn't exactly sure what was going on in the stories, which is always a detriment to enjoyment.
Listened to audio book....loved the language and the first two stories (including A Rose for Emily), but "Spotted Ponies" was the longest thing I've ever listened to (masterful language or not) ... skipped the final CD - I found his work a bit depressing...
"And so I am running away...when I get home I shall be very proud of this...It means I am still alive. Still alive since I still know fear and desire. Since life is an affirmation of the past and a promise to the future."
WF - "Mountain Victory"
WF - "Mountain Victory"
Feb 06, 2009
Emily Conrad
marked it as to-read
'A Rose for Emily'---um, it's about a creepy spinster heroine and I hear there's a gruesome ending.
'Barn Burning' - because I still haven't read Faulkner and short stories seem to be the easiest place to start.
'Barn Burning' - because I still haven't read Faulkner and short stories seem to be the easiest place to start.
So sad, but amazingly written. I love short stories and Faulkner's descriptions of life in the South. Interesting contrast while reading "The Help". Similar subject matter, but Faulkner's says more with fewer words.
A hard read, for me. Some stories I could read twice and get two different meanings from, and some stories I will remember forever. Very good.
I've never read Faulkner.
There, I admit it.
Enjoying this collection thoroughly. A Rose for Emily stands out as does Red Leaves
There, I admit it.
Enjoying this collection thoroughly. A Rose for Emily stands out as does Red Leaves
Never read any Faulkner. Heard many, many authors point to him as one of the finest writers. Lived in the South now for almost twenty years. Went to the library with the kids. Saw this book on one of the shelves. Thought it was time to read some Faulkner. Good decision.
These stories are just so well written. The reader feels like they are there watching the whole story unfold.
" a rose for emily" is my favorite in the whole book. i have yet to read to the whole book yet. awesome story though.
I remembered today why reading Faulkner in high school was very low on my priority list.
Some great short stories here. The ones at the end of volume are the most powerful.
I haven't read all of them. The one I remember most was "That Evening Sun"
I like Faulkner's stories but I hate his writing style.
Especially liked Dry September and Two Soldiers.
Nov 10, 2008
Kendall
added it
Modern Library edition. Can't tell what year it was published. Tedious going at times. Faulkner is a very good story teller- but it was so dated. The language and style was hard in places. I think he was writing historically about certain eras. If he wasn't- he was one hell of a racist!. It was down right boring at times. Didn't do much for me. One story- Turnabout- I recognized as a movie I'd once seen. Sure enough- I did some research- and it'd been made into a movie called Today We Live (1933...more
These stories were beautiful and lyrical and pretty much everything I expect from Faulkner.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
William Cuthbert Faulkner was a Nobel Prize-winning American novelist and short story writer. One of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, his reputation is based mostly on his novels, novellas, and short stories. He was also a published poet and an occasional screenwriter.
The majority of his works are based in his native state of Mississippi. Though his work was published as earl...more
More about William Faulkner...
The majority of his works are based in his native state of Mississippi. Though his work was published as earl...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Feb 19, 2013 07:00am
Rebecca, you might be right. I definitely think in a...more
Feb 19, 2013 09:48am