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Light in August

William Faulkner,

Joseph Blotner,

Noel Polk (Editor)

Start date: September 1, 2018

Finish date: September 30, 2018

Why we're reading this: September 2018 New School
[close] September 2018 New School

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May 14, 2014 Franky rated it really liked it

Shelves: southern

I always find it difficult reviewing anything from Faulkner. Over all, Light in August is not as “Faulkneresque” as one would imagine, as it does have a fairly linear quality compared to some of his other works (like The Sound and the Fury, for example). However, when you take a closer look at the events and themes and how they intermingle, Light in August does become a much more complicated and complex novel to decipher.

At one spectrum, Light in August examines the theme of identity; however, I always find it difficult reviewing anything from Faulkner. Over all, Light in August is not as “Faulkneresque” as one would imagine, as it does have a fairly linear quality compared to some of his other works (like The Sound and the Fury, for example). However, when you take a closer look at the events and themes and how they intermingle, Light in August does become a much more complicated and complex novel to decipher.

At one spectrum, Light in August examines the theme of identity; however, this, in its simplest and base form, is really selling the novel and entire reading experience short. Light in August encompasses many roads and paths: alienation, individuals “lost” in the spiritual or physical sense, those who are forced into exile in one form or another. These are repeated patterns within the book. At the forefront of Faulkner’s essential exploration is perhaps a question to consider: How do individuals such as these cope? We (as readers) see the individual response to the community and this very question, as seen in the lives and events of three central characters: Lena Grove, Reverend Hightower, Joe Christmas. At one end is the individual, at the other society.

Perhaps most remarkable about Light in August is Faulkner’s way of blending three various subplots into a larger message. Joe Christmas becomes a tragic figure in many ways: he is stuck, through no fault of his own, between the world of white and black. Society implies he has zero identity, and he goes about trying to find an element of who is he is. Faulkner captures this sense of alienation in fine poetic form, as Joe wanders through town: “He went on, not fast, away from the square. The street, a quiet one at all times, was deserted at this hour… In the wide, empty, shadowbound street he looked like a phantom, a spirit, strayed out of its own world, and lost.” Lena Grove’s determination to find the father of her baby, despite the common opinion or gossip of the community, is a journey in itself, perhaps as much spiritual as physcial. Reverend Hightower, rejected and disgraced, ostracized from the community for a scandal caused by his wife, still remains in town, and his pride allows him to experience redemption.

There are no easy solutions or revelations in any Faulkner work, and part of the joy of reading Light in August is that each reader will take their own interpretations and conclusions with them. Light in August is very accessible, and I found the final two chapters to be quite amazingly constructed, deep in symbolism, imagery and perspective: a fine way to finish this novel.

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Sep 13, 2017 Michael Sump rated it it was amazing

Faulkner is arguably the best American writer of the 20th Century (primarily based on his entire canon). This is one of his top 5 novels. It's a terrific novel that reveals a much of the plight of the Negro in the American South and much of the unique characteristics of their white neighbors.
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