This book is bafflingly beautiful. Set in Faulkner's mythical deep south, it follows the trails and tribulations of the Compson family as they try to retain their family values in an ever changing world.
The narrative is split into four sections each narrated by a different character. You start by being thrown in at the deep end with Benjy, one of the Compson children who obviously has some kind of learning difficulties. Faulkner treats this issue sensitively and you definitely feel that Benjy has a complex personality, even if his family don't seem to think so, but with such a narrow point of view the opening of the novel is very hard to follow.
Once you feel you have the hang of Benjy's erratic narrative style the book changes pace as his brother Quentin takes up the narrative. Quentin tells his
The narrative is split into four sections each narrated by a different character. You start by being thrown in at the deep end with Benjy, one of the Compson children who obviously has some kind of learning difficulties. Faulkner treats this issue sensitively and you definitely feel that Benjy has a complex personality, even if his family don't seem to think so, but with such a narrow point of view the opening of the novel is very hard to follow.
Once you feel you have the hang of Benjy's erratic narrative style the book changes pace as his brother Quentin takes up the narrative. Quentin tells his
story after having left the family home to attend Harvard University, even though his narrative pre-dates Benjy's. But his narrative is no more straightforward than Benjy's. While the thoughts seem more coherent they jump across years as he tries to come to terms with his past while living in the present. I found Quentin's narrative really sad and poignant and was sad when it ended without any conclusions being reached.
It was only when the next sibling, Jason, took up the narrative that I was able to cobble together what had happened to Quentin. Jason's narrative again jumps about a bit but is generally a bit more grounded in the present, although he spends most of the time thinking about himself. Jason has been left to get a low level job to support the family that has now lost Jason Sr (the father), Caddy (the sister) and Quentin but has gained a new member in the form of Quentin (female), Caddy's daughter and Jason's niece.
Finally, the last section of the novel is written from an outside perspective but one that focuses on a character who has permeated the novel throughout without stealing focus. Dilsey is matriarch of the team of slaves turned servants that service the house and that see everything but are not seen. Her family run in parallel to the Compsons and have shared in all the drama and outrage the family have suffered but with the added difficulty of being subject to the still present prejudices held by some, most noticeable their now employer Jason Jr.
This book is, like I said, baffling and beautiful in equal parts. Faulkner's writing is poetic and well-crafted, even if you aren't always 100% sure what is going on. But this ambiguity adds to the book in a way as you are left to sift through what you have read to try and reveal the family's secrets. They aren't just laid out for you, you have to work for them and this adds a real sense of attachment and achievement when you finish. This isn't a light read by any means but it is well worth the effort and I would recommend it to any who enjoy a good, complex family drama.
It was only when the next sibling, Jason, took up the narrative that I was able to cobble together what had happened to Quentin. Jason's narrative again jumps about a bit but is generally a bit more grounded in the present, although he spends most of the time thinking about himself. Jason has been left to get a low level job to support the family that has now lost Jason Sr (the father), Caddy (the sister) and Quentin but has gained a new member in the form of Quentin (female), Caddy's daughter and Jason's niece.
Finally, the last section of the novel is written from an outside perspective but one that focuses on a character who has permeated the novel throughout without stealing focus. Dilsey is matriarch of the team of slaves turned servants that service the house and that see everything but are not seen. Her family run in parallel to the Compsons and have shared in all the drama and outrage the family have suffered but with the added difficulty of being subject to the still present prejudices held by some, most noticeable their now employer Jason Jr.
This book is, like I said, baffling and beautiful in equal parts. Faulkner's writing is poetic and well-crafted, even if you aren't always 100% sure what is going on. But this ambiguity adds to the book in a way as you are left to sift through what you have read to try and reveal the family's secrets. They aren't just laid out for you, you have to work for them and this adds a real sense of attachment and achievement when you finish. This isn't a light read by any means but it is well worth the effort and I would recommend it to any who enjoy a good, complex family drama.
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