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krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-mansion/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-mansion/
geemont235's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
tdblaylock's review against another edition
4.0
The final installment of Faulkner's Snopes trilogy quickly became one of my favorite Faulkner works. This novel deserves much more praise than it gets as a part of his anthology. The Town leaves us at a momentous occasion in Yoknapatawpha County- Eula Snopes is dead and it looks like Linda is leaving town, Mink and Montgomery Ward are prison, and there seems to be nothing left in Flem's way of completely taking over Jefferson.
The majority of this novel is a rehash of the previous two novels, but it is told in a way that gives new insight and a deeper background. Prior to this novel, Mink seemed like nothing more than a crazy man playing the part of a nuisance. However, Faulkner fleshes out this character about as well as he has ever done. While he still may be a bit crazy, you can't help but root for him and for his revenge. It seems like everything is against him- both Flem and the State keeping him in prison. The more the reader gets to know Mink, it becomes evident that he isn't the insane man portrayed earlier. "Not justice; I never asked that; jest fairness, that’s all. That was all; not to have anything for him: just not to have anything against him. That was all he wanted, and sure enough, here it was." He just wants a fair shake in life, something that he has never had. The Mink vs. Flem struggle is full of twists and drama in which Faulkner masterfully delves into the human emotions driving us all.
VK Ratliff and Gavin Stevens do most of the work pushing the plot along. Our favorite Deep South Russian and lawyer extraordinaire reveal the underpinnings of Flem's tactics to protect himself and his continual upward movement in Jefferson. His band of Snopes that were critical in his progress begin to be the thing holding him back from absolute power and endless wealth.
Faulkner also uses VK and Gavin along with Linda Snopes to land his hard hitting punches at the way of life in Mississippi. This novel creeps past World War II when race relations were beginning to taking a turn in the country and really coming to the forefront of American society. Several passages ask the question of how African Americans can begin to fully belong in America or belong at all, depending on which character is speaking. Often put alongside this debate is the ineptitude of politicians. In one of my favorite passages of the entire novel, Gavin lets politicians really have it, essentially saying that they are politicians because they can't do anything else.
The Mansion finishes out the Snopes Trilogy better than I could have imagined and has one of the most satisfying endings Faulkner has ever delivered. The plot and characters are often funny and sharp, but still deliver the critique of the American South that makes Faulkner who he is.
The majority of this novel is a rehash of the previous two novels, but it is told in a way that gives new insight and a deeper background. Prior to this novel, Mink seemed like nothing more than a crazy man playing the part of a nuisance. However, Faulkner fleshes out this character about as well as he has ever done. While he still may be a bit crazy, you can't help but root for him and for his revenge. It seems like everything is against him- both Flem and the State keeping him in prison. The more the reader gets to know Mink, it becomes evident that he isn't the insane man portrayed earlier. "Not justice; I never asked that; jest fairness, that’s all. That was all; not to have anything for him: just not to have anything against him. That was all he wanted, and sure enough, here it was." He just wants a fair shake in life, something that he has never had. The Mink vs. Flem struggle is full of twists and drama in which Faulkner masterfully delves into the human emotions driving us all.
VK Ratliff and Gavin Stevens do most of the work pushing the plot along. Our favorite Deep South Russian and lawyer extraordinaire reveal the underpinnings of Flem's tactics to protect himself and his continual upward movement in Jefferson. His band of Snopes that were critical in his progress begin to be the thing holding him back from absolute power and endless wealth.
Faulkner also uses VK and Gavin along with Linda Snopes to land his hard hitting punches at the way of life in Mississippi. This novel creeps past World War II when race relations were beginning to taking a turn in the country and really coming to the forefront of American society. Several passages ask the question of how African Americans can begin to fully belong in America or belong at all, depending on which character is speaking. Often put alongside this debate is the ineptitude of politicians. In one of my favorite passages of the entire novel, Gavin lets politicians really have it, essentially saying that they are politicians because they can't do anything else.
The Mansion finishes out the Snopes Trilogy better than I could have imagined and has one of the most satisfying endings Faulkner has ever delivered. The plot and characters are often funny and sharp, but still deliver the critique of the American South that makes Faulkner who he is.
zachkuhn's review against another edition
4.0
The Mink Snopes stuff saves this from being Old, Bloated Faulkner's least best work. It doesn't help that half of it is a retelling of The Town.
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