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feefeeberry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My rating is kind of low for me, but I promise that I really enjoyed this book. The bad is mainly a me problem, and not from the writing itself. I had a time trying to finish it, it put me in a reading slump, and I struggled severely to follow the story. This book is not a book that will be enjoyed most on the first read. It is so interesting, so clever, but good lord is it difficult. The first section puts you in the mind of Benjy, a man with a severe intellectual disability. He has no concept of time whatsoever which makes for a very challenging read, but a very interesting analysis. Benjy serves a similar function to Lockwood in Wurthering Heights in my opinion, he gives us these objective snippets of the Compson family, and the reader is left to fill in the blanks with the subjective perspective of Quentin and Jason. That is genius. I also believe that Quentin’s section and character is one of the most interesting things I’ve ever read. Did I understand most of it? Likely not. However, his section would be amazing to re-read and analyze, despite how long it took me to read. Jason’s section was probably my least favorite, but I understand his function. He gives us a subjective present, whereas Quentin gives us a subjective past. Jason’s initial characterization was very well done, with his sectioning opening with “Once a bitch, always a bitch.” That immediately tells the reader that he is a crude misogynistic man that is less educated than Quentin. I did find that Jason’s character got old to me about 30 pages too soon, and only got interesting again in the last 20 pages of the novel. Overall, I’m very glad I read it, but it is HARD and not for the impatient.
james2529's review against another edition
3.0
I had no idea what was going on. When I read a plot summary I realised I had missed at least three major plot points.
Supposedly it needs rereading. Undecided if I will or not.
Supposedly it needs rereading. Undecided if I will or not.
lbalevre522's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dellaposta's review against another edition
5.0
When I read this book in high school, I remember thinking it was both the best and the most challenging thing I had ever read. Re-reading it now, Faulkner’s epic story of the obsessions that drive people to self destruction remains just as impactful (unsurprisingly) and still just as difficult (surprisingly) as that first time I read it. In my mind, he is the greatest American novelist. Faulkner’s grasp of human psychology and his ability to convey the rhythms of thought continue to amaze me. He is one of the very few writers I still look forward to re-reading.
ashction's review against another edition
5.0
I never thought that I could be a Faulkner fan, but here I am giving The Sound and The Fury a perferct rating. (we will disregard my hatred for his other popular novel, As I Lay Dying, because that is extreme stream of consciousness and I hated it, as well as the end.)
Faulkner was known to proudest of this novel, and with good reason. There may not be consistent punctuation, there may not be years and dates, and it may not make a lot of sense the first time you read it, but it is a great novel for both enjoyment and literary analysis.
Faulkner was known to proudest of this novel, and with good reason. There may not be consistent punctuation, there may not be years and dates, and it may not make a lot of sense the first time you read it, but it is a great novel for both enjoyment and literary analysis.
anya2612's review against another edition
3.0
It took all of my brain cells to comprehend the first half of this book. Definitely will need to reread to appreciate it fully-- Quentin's pages of no punctuation almost killed me.
maggiekinton's review against another edition
4.5
proud I read this. reviews were daunting but of course a classic isn’t an easy read. Some beautiful writing in here. Oh, Quentin!
crustywhitedog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Suicide and Ableism
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Violence
giglio_sfigato's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75