The Sound and the Fury
William Faulkner · 1897–1962 · USA
Why it matters
The Compson family's fall told four times, first through the mind of Benjy, to whom time does not exist. American modernism's boldest leap; Faulkner called it his 'most splendid failure,' and wrote it for love.
At a glance
modernistfamily sagatragedy
Difficulty 10/10slow pace326 pagesFour fractured, nonlinear narrators, including a nonverbal mind, defy conventional reading.
Deep dive
Why the same short span of days gets narrated four times before the story is finally allowed to leave the Compsons' heads.
Where to go next
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William Faulkner · 1936Absalom, Absalom!Lvl 10Slow burn
William Faulkner · 1950Collected Stories of William FaulknerLvl 7Slow burn
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William Faulkner · 1962The ReiversLvl 4Medium pace
Cormac McCarthy · 1992All the Pretty HorsesLvl 6Medium pace