Initial Impressions: Light in August, by William Faulkner - September 2021

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that not all readers have finished the book. Please avoid revealing any spoilers.

This book has been read by the group twice before. Here are links to the previous discussions. Be advised that they may contain spoilers.

Initial Impressions: Light in August, by William Faulkner, May 2019

Final Impressions: Light in August, by William Faulkner, May 2019


Light in August, by William Faulkner: Initial Impressions, May 2014

Light in August, by William Faulkner: Final Impressions, May 2014

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I will not be rereading but this is an excellent Faulkner that is very readable and straightforward.

[Lori]

It’s on my shelf and if you say it’s a readable Faulkner, Laura, I’ll give it a go.

[Sara]

I will reread this one in honor of Mike...it has been a long time for me.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Laura is right, Lori. I think you will like it.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Sara, no time for me to re-read, but it is ironic that this one is our September Trail choice. I'm sure Mike is smiling.

[Sara]

I had been planning a re-read and pushing it off, so when it won the poll I decided now was the time. I agree that Mike (with a grin) is thinking "about time".

[T. Rose]

Think I'll check it out, too. For Mike. Hugs all around!

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I Think I will give this one a go. I happen to have a copy.

[Warren]

I'm planning to tackle this one after "When These Mountains Burn". It's been awhile since I've read Faulkner, and I've never read this particular novel before.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Alright Lawyer, you win. I've finally found a Faulkner novel that I am enjoying.

[Wyndy]

I’m with you, Tom. Read this one on our May 2019 Trail read, thanks to much encouragement from Mike. It remains my only completed Faulkner to-date, and I’m proud of it.

[Warren]

I'm enjoying this one so far. The characters are really interesting, and I'm curious to see how it all plays out. I'm surprised this hasn't been adapted into a movie yet.

[Harpersfaerie]

Light in August was one of the first audiobooks I ever listened to, and the reader, Mark Hammer, was transcendent. I just found his recording available online, for free:
https://bookaudio.online/198-william-...

I have tried other readers of this book, but nothing approaches this reading.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Am I missing something? Towards the end there is a section where Lawyer Stevens compares black blood to white blood that includes lines like "it was the black blood which snatched up the pistol and the white blood which would not let him fire it". Was Faulkner serious? Every time I read this line I think of the Edmund Pettus Bridge and wonder what color blood was flowing in those troopers' veins.