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rgallo's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
megancortez's review against another edition
4.0
I think overall, I would have liked an even level of personality variety for the women in this novel as for the men but I'm not so unhappy with that as to discount the whole thing.
The perspective shifting and the narrative style differences are brilliantly done and really truly believable. After the first like 3 or 4 changes, you really get the hang of the different characters' styles and don't really need to look at the chapter headers anymore.
Each character feels like a well developed and interesting (not always likable but fairly realistic) person, well rounded, with realistic motivations and reactions, rather than caricatures or stereotypes (possibly Anse excluded.. he's kind of a mess).
The cynical, sardonic humor is not so overwhelming as some modernist novels and the touching humanity of Darl, Vardaman, and Dewey Dell, especially, is enough to satisfy my emotional self.
Overall, I absolutely understand why this novel is a modern classic and why Faulkner's writing is so influential (especially to the modern novel). I read this for a class but would absolutely read it again for fun.
The perspective shifting and the narrative style differences are brilliantly done and really truly believable. After the first like 3 or 4 changes, you really get the hang of the different characters' styles and don't really need to look at the chapter headers anymore.
Each character feels like a well developed and interesting (not always likable but fairly realistic) person, well rounded, with realistic motivations and reactions, rather than caricatures or stereotypes (possibly Anse excluded.. he's kind of a mess).
The cynical, sardonic humor is not so overwhelming as some modernist novels and the touching humanity of Darl, Vardaman, and Dewey Dell, especially, is enough to satisfy my emotional self.
Overall, I absolutely understand why this novel is a modern classic and why Faulkner's writing is so influential (especially to the modern novel). I read this for a class but would absolutely read it again for fun.
marszz22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
I wish I understood a single thing I read but I probably still wouldn’t like it
richygoodlad's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
laurasauras's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the different voices in this, they were really clear. There were moments when I was flinching at the description, which I take to be a really good sign. It's a very macabre story, more so than I thought it would be even with the death implicit in the title. And I have never hated a literary character more than Anse in my entire life. Love a book that makes me feel that strongly.
outruncaf's review against another edition
dark
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Only 12% of users found this book funny.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
leggup's review against another edition
2.0
I guess I just don't like Faulkner. I feel blasphemous saying that. I don't like books that are written in the "voice" of the south. I don't like books about the anti-journey. I don't like books you cringe your way through as all of the characters make stupid choices.
There are some beautiful sentences in this book. Also, I legitimately laughed when I read the line, "My mother is a fish." I don't think it's supposed to even be funny, so much as a demonstration of the connections a child blah blah blah. My brain was so depressed that it clung to the only shred of hilarity and ran with it.
I didn't find the text to be confusing, although I did flip back and forth a little to make sure I wasn't mixing up a few of the characters. The dialogue made me want to claw out my eyes.
There are some beautiful sentences in this book. Also, I legitimately laughed when I read the line, "My mother is a fish." I don't think it's supposed to even be funny, so much as a demonstration of the connections a child blah blah blah. My brain was so depressed that it clung to the only shred of hilarity and ran with it.
I didn't find the text to be confusing, although I did flip back and forth a little to make sure I wasn't mixing up a few of the characters. The dialogue made me want to claw out my eyes.
astratton1027's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
kcmck's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the few books from college that I want to re-read (and I received a degree in literature!)
kylederose's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25