William Faulkner

Ever since the first furore was created on its publication in 1929, The Sound and the Fury has been considered one of the key novels of this century. Depicting the gradual disintegration of the Compson family through four fractured narratives, the novel explores intense, passionate family relationships where there is no love, only self-centredness. At its heart, this is a novel about lovelessness

A landmark in American fiction, Light in August explores Faulkner's central theme: the nature of evil. Joe Christmas - a man doomed, deracinated and alone - wanders the Deep South in search of an identity, and a place in society. After killing his perverted God-fearing lover, it becomes inevitable that he is pursued by a lynch-hungry mob. Yet after the sacrifice, there is new life, a determined ray of light in Faulkner's complex and tragic world.

This Norton Critical Edition includes: The authoritative text of Light in August, established by Noel Polk in 1985 and accompanied by Melanie Benson Taylor’s preface and explanatory footnotes. A rich selection of background and contextual materials, thoughtfully and practically arranged to draw readers into the American South of Faulkner’s imagination. Topics include “The Writer’s World and Words”, “Reception and Influence”, and “Historical and Cultural Contexts”. Thirteen critical essays on the novel’s major themes. A chronology and a selected bibliography. About the Series Read by more than 12 million students over fifty-five years, Norton Critical Editions set the standard for apparatus that is right for undergraduate readers. The three-part format—annotated text, contexts and criticism—helps students to better understand, analyse and appreciate the literature, while opening a wide range of teaching possibilities for instructors. Whether in print or in digital format, Norton Critical Editions provide all the resources students need.

VINTAGE CLASSICS' AMERICAN GOTHIC SERIESSpine-tingling, mind-altering and deliciously atmospheric, journey into the dark side of America with nine of its most uncanny classics. A landmark in American fiction, Light in August explores Faulkner's central theme: the nature of evil. Joe Christmas - a man doomed, deracinated and alone - wanders the Deep South in search of an identity, and a place in society. After killing his perverted God-fearing lover, it becomes inevitable that he is pursued by a lynch-hungry mob. Yet after the sacrifice, there is new life, a determined ray of light in Faulkner's complex and tragic world.

The masterpiece of Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner, and perhaps the greatest novel about the decline of the Southern aristocracy, now in Penguin Classics for the first time, with a new introduction by Ayana Mathis, the New York Times bestselling author of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie One of The Atlantic's Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years A Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, with flaps and deckle-edged paper The Sound and the Fury traces the downfall of the aristocratic Compson family in their fictional home of Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. Here the landed gentry of the Reconstruction-era South still cling to their obsolete constructs of race, class, and sex for salvation from financial and personal ruin. In kaleidoscopic prose, Faulkner relates the Compson siblings' tales of their own demise: Benjy, the brother whose mental disability blends the past with the present; Quentin, who is consumed by his obsession with his family's honor; Jason, whose blind rage inflicts itself upon the rest of the household; and the elusive sister, Caddy, whose tragic exile from the family sets in motion their fall from grace. The Sound and the Fury brings to life Faulkner's South as a land of poverty and decadence, of gallantry and greed, that reveals the rich cultural and historical context in which it was written. What Faulkner once considered his "most splendid failure" was also his favorite of his novels and is now one of the cornerstones of American literature.

A collectible hardcover edition of Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner's masterpiece, and perhaps the greatest novel about the decline of the Southern aristocracy, with a new introduction by Ayana Mathis, the New York Times bestselling author of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie One of The Atlantic's Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years A Penguin Vitae Edition The Sound and the Fury traces the downfall of the aristocratic Compson family in their fictional home of Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. Here the landed gentry of the Reconstruction-era South still cling to their obsolete constructs of race, class, and sex for salvation from financial and personal ruin. In kaleidoscopic prose, Faulkner relates the Compson siblings' tales of their own demise: Benjy, the brother whose mental disability blends the past with the present; Quentin, who is consumed by his obsession with his family's honor; Jason, whose blind rage inflicts itself upon the rest of the household; and the elusive sister, Caddy, whose tragic exile from the family sets in motion their fall from grace. The Sound and the Fury brings to life Faulkner's South as a land of poverty and decadence, of gallantry and greed, that reveals the rich cultural and historical context in which it was written. What Faulkner once considered his "most splendid failure" was also his favorite of his novels and is now one of the cornerstones of American literature. Penguin Vitae--loosely translated as "Penguin of one's life"--is a deluxe hardcover series from Penguin Classics celebrating a dynamic and diverse landscape of classic fiction and nonfiction from seventy-five years of classics publishing. Penguin Vitae provides readers with beautifully designed classics that have shaped the course of their lives, and welcomes new readers to discover these literary gifts of personal inspiration, intellectual engagement, and creative originality.

Faulkner's harrowing account of the Bundren family's trek across the Mississippi countryside, freshly repackaged for the Union Square & Co. Signature Editions line. Faulkner's fifth novel follows a grim yet darkly humorous pilgrimage, as Addie Bundren's family sets out to fulfill her final wish: to be buried in her native Jefferson, Mississippi, far from the miserable backwater surroundings of her married life. Told through the perspective of multiple family members, including Addie herself, As I Lay Dying vividly brings to life Faulkner's recurring Yoknapatawpha County, one of literature's great invented landscapes, and is replete with the poignant, impoverished, violent, and hypnotically fascinating characters that were his trademark. An influential novel of the Modernism literary movement in narrative structure, style, and characterization, Faulkner employs 15 different points of view and a stream-of-consciousness technique that depicts each characters' psychological hardships. Ranging in tone from dark comedy, to deepest pathos, As I Lay Dying is a tour de force that captures the heart of the American South during the Great Depression and encompasses the work of a master at the height of his craft.

Addie Bundren, a gravely ill mother of five--Cash, Darl, Jewel, Dewey Dell, and Vardaman--voices her wish to be laid to rest with her birth family in Jefferson, the capital of Yoknapatawpha County. William Faulkner examines the complexities of grief and ingeniously portrays the emotional turmoil of multiple narrators through the monologues of her children and neighbors after her passing. From the building of the coffin to the transport of the body, Faulkner's profound exploration of mortality offers a unique and compelling perspective on loss and existence in a richly woven tale highlighting the absurdities and hardships of life in rural Mississippi. This classic read encourages us to reflect on the intricate dynamics between personal desires and shared goals and raises the fundamental question of what it truly means to live.

William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury is a masterpiece of modernist literature, renowned for its complexity and emotional depth. Set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, the novel delves into the turbulent world of the Compson family, unraveling their fall from grace and the impact of time on memory, identity, and loss. What makes this work extraordinary is Faulkner's innovative narrative structure, which defies traditional storytelling. The novel is divided into four distinct sections, each told from the perspective of different characters-Benjy, a mentally disabled man; Quentin, a troubled and introspective student; Jason, an embittered and cynical brother; and the omniscient third-person narrator who attempts to tie the story together. Through fragmented time shifts, unreliable perceptions, and streams of consciousness, Faulkner masterfully portrays the internal struggles of each character, presenting a haunting exploration of the human condition. The Sound and the Fury weaves themes of disintegration-of family, tradition, and the Southern way of life-amidst the emotional chaos of love, betrayal, and memory. With its intricate narrative style and profound emotional resonance, it challenges readers to interpret its layers of meaning, ultimately offering a tragic and poignant vision of the past's irreversible influence on the present. It's a novel that demands engagement, reflection, and, ultimately, deep admiration for Faulkner's daring artistry.

""Explore the intricate tapestry of early 20th-century Europe through the eyes of Ford Madox Ford in 'Some Do Not...', the first volume of his acclaimed 'Parade's End' series. This masterfully written novel delves into the complexities of love, duty, and the inevitable change brought by the First World War. Set against a backdrop of tumultuous societal shifts, the story follows Christopher Tietjens, a man of principles caught in the crossfire of personal and political turmoil. Witness Tietjens' journey as he navigates the challenges of a changing world, torn between his traditional values and the new realities of th e modern era. Ford's exquisite prose and deep understanding of human nature make 'Some Do Not...' a timeless classic, offering a poignant reflection on the clash between old and new. A must- read for lovers of historical fiction and those intrigued by the subtleties of human relationships amidst great historical upheavals.""

"As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner is a haunting and profoundly introspective masterpiece that delves into the complex depths of the human psyche. Set in the impoverished and rural American South during the early 20th century, this novel follows the Bundren family as they embark on a harrowing journey to fulfill their deceased mother's final wish: to be buried in her hometown. As the family members navigate a treacherous landscape filled with obstacles, both physical and emotional, Faulkner weaves a rich tapestry of voices and perspectives, each revealing the inner turmoil and secrets that haunt them. Through a narrative style that is as innovative as it is evocative, Faulkner employs stream-of-consciousness monologues and shifting perspectives to provide an intimate glimpse into the minds of his characters. As the Bundrens grapple with death, love, and despair, the reader is drawn into their tumultuous world, where the boundaries between sanity and madness blur, and where the weight of the past looms large. "As I Lay Dying" is a timeless exploration of the human condition, a haunting meditation on the nature of grief and endurance, and a testament to Faulkner's unmatched storytelling prowess. This classic work continues to captivate readers, inviting them to journey alongside the Bundrens as they confront their own inner demons amidst the unforgiving landscape of the American South.

Considered one of the most influential novels in American fiction in structure, style, and drama, 'As I Lay Dying' is a true 20th-century classic. The story revolves around a grim yet darkly humorous pilgrimage, as Addie Bundren's family sets out to fulfill her last wish-to be buried in her native Jefferson, Mississippi, far from the miserable backwater surroundings of her married life. Narrated in turn by each of the family members-including Addie herself-as well as others the novel ranges in mood, from dark comedy to the deepest pathos.

A complex, intense American novel of family from the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. It employs several narrative styles, including stream of consciousness. The Sound and the Fury is the tragedy of the Compson family, featuring some of the most memorable characters in literature: beautiful, rebellious Caddy; the manchild Benjy; haunted, neurotic Quentin; Jason, the brutal cynic; and Dilsey, their black servant. Their lives fragmented and harrowed by history and legacy, the character's voices and actions mesh to create what is arguably Faulkner's masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. Divided into four sections, the history is narrated by three Compson brothers-Benjamin, Quentin, and Jason-followed by a section by an omniscient narrator.