William Faulkner: First encounters

by Cleanth Brooks

In this clear-sighted and enjoyable book, Cleanth Brooks, acknowledged to be "the best critic of our best novelist," introduces the general reader to Faulkner's most important novels and stories: The Sound and the Fury; As I lay Dying; The Hamlet; Go Down, Moses; Light in August; and Absalom, Absalom!
Brooks focuses on theme, character, and plot as well as on Faulkner's world-the fictional Yoknapatawpha County that provides a unique setting for Faulkner's tragicomic vision.

Genres: Literary Criticism

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1983

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book for me when I needed a guide for getting into Faulkner's world, which is a semi-real place geographically in the Deep South, with various characters reappearing throughout many of the stories and novels. It recommends starting with A Rose for Emily, which I did, then I progressed to Light in August, and the other short stories. I didn't finish all the tales because the mood lifted, as it so often does, and went in search of another interest. I feel a lot of the time that I'm being pulled frantically around by a large and powerful dog in the park. It lingers occasionally and sniffs everything in sight, then off it goes in search of something else.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

great supplement to my faulkner journey