83 pages 2 hours read

William Faulkner

The Sound and the Fury

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1929

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner depicts the decline of the once-prominent Southern Compson family through the perspectives of three brothers—Benjy, Quentin, and Jason—and an omniscient narrator focusing on the housekeeper, Dilsey. The non-linear narrative reveals their struggles with change in the Old South, centering around their sister Caddy's defiance of traditional values. The novel includes racially-offensive and sexist language, as well as depictions of death by suicide, alcohol use disorder, incest, and mental disability.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury is lauded for its innovative narrative structure and profound psychological depth. Many praise its rich, complex storytelling, though some find its fragmented, nonlinear approach challenging. The novel’s exploration of a Southern family’s downfall offers both poignancy and intense character study, making it a standout yet demanding read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sound and the Fury?

A reader who enjoys complex narratives, stream-of-consciousness style, and exploring themes of family, time, and the human condition would find The Sound and the Fury captivating. Fans of James Joyce's Ulysses or Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse will appreciate Faulkner's intricate prose and deep psychological insight.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

800L

Book Details

Period

Southern Gothic

Modernism

Genre

Classic Fiction

Education

Southern Literature

Themes

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Values/Ideas: Fate

Society: Economics

Topics

Education

History: World