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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 8:35pm | IP Logged
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Dd13 put a couple of Faulkner books on hold at the library, The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, and Absalom, Absalom. She got the idea from some classic literature list.
I haven't read Faulkner at all. Before I spend the next three months pre-reading these, can someone tell me if they are appropriate or worth our time? Thanks!
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Mary G
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I still cringe when I hear his name! I didn't like him when I had to read him in high school and I like him less now ... but that's just my opinion 
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MaryG
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teachingmyown
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Now there's a glowing a recommendation!  I think I have heard that somewhere else.
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 10:27pm | IP Logged
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I loved Faulkner in college...and haven't read any of his works since.
Honestly, I can't remember anything about appropriateness (I was on a Russian novels and depressing British novels kick then, so I remember those instead. Thomas Hardy = bummer) Sorry I'm no help.
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Carole N.
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Molly, I read Faulkner in college. He is one of my favorite writers, but I must warn you that he is very hard to read. Most of his works are very thought-provoking and he requires a lot from the reader. The works are set in Mississippi modeled after the area where he grew up. He maked use of stream of consciousness in his writing and wrote emotional and complex stories about a very wide range of characters.
He is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century having won the Nobel Prize as well as the Pulitzer Prize on two occasions. He was featured on a postage stamp in 1987.
Having said all of this (which is not much), I do not know what sort of reader your dd is. She might end up loving Faulkner and purchasing all of his novels. But then again, it could be a very tough reading experience and she might never want to pick up anything written by him. I believe that when I was a junior in high school, I read "The Bear" one of his short stories which is published in Go Down, Moses. Reading a short story might be a better start than plunging into one of his novels. It will give her a taste of his writing. If she loves him, then she can move into her selection of novels.
But remember, he is a writer who requires a lot from the reader. So you may want to wait a few years before handing her any Faulkner at all. 
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 Carole ... in Wales
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Mary G
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teachingmyown wrote:
| Now there's a glowing a recommendation! I think I have heard that somewhere else. |
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Sorry about that ... I think high school was too soon to give us Faulkner but the Dominican sister who taught us LOVED him! I can still remember thinking The Bear was a stupid story....
But then I didn't like Fitzgerald or Hemingway either -- too macho maybe?
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MaryG
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missionfamily
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Molly--I am a Faulkner fan, but I think 13 is too young for his writing. If there were a chance she were going to enjoy Faulkner, I think she would blow it by trying this soon. How about Dickens?
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teachingmyown
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She's read lots of Dickens, and Austen, and Hugo, and Dumas, and on and on! It's a challenge to keep up.
So, it's not an issue of inappropriateness as much as maturity level?
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Molly
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Natalia
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I love Faulkner but I read him as an adult. I haven't heard of him until I moved to the States. I didn't know he has been a great influence in the writings of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. HIs books are not an easy read. They were hard to follow at times. I think the topics and the characters are too mature for a 13 yo.
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LeeAnn
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As I Lay Dying was required in my junior English class. Hated it, both style and subject. I would generally say Faulkner would be too much for a 13yo but on the other hand, she's already read Hugo, Dumas and Dickens. She might like it. I think it's an acquired taste. I didn't like Flannery O'Connor either, although I like plenty of other meaty and philosophical books.
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MichelleW
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Faulkner's subjects are very mature. I would say most of his work is inappropriate for a teenager. Some of his work is extremely graphic in it's descriptions of violence against women.
"The Sound and the Fury" is interesting in that it leans heavily on Christian imagery. However, I would not start with that one as it is pretty raw.
Of the 3 you mentioned "As I Lay Dying" is probably the least inappropriate. Definitely pre-read. It has been a long time since I read that one, but I believe it is a good example of a southern classic. It switches pov every chapter, and that might be interesting to you dd. Again, pre-read.
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teachingmyown
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Thanks, everyone! I will start with As I Lay Dying to get a feel for his writing. Dd is very reasonable about my pre-reading books and telling her no to some. The problem is my lack of time to read. 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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hylabrook1
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I never really understand Faulkner. I've tried (and in theory have read) a number of his works, but I don't get it at all. One caution - avoid Light in August; I would say that one is inappropriate, if I remember it correctly.
Peace,
Nancy
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4Real Forums : Book Club
Topic: William Faulkner- yes or no?
