drelyk 's review for:

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

4.0

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One of the most unique books I have ever read. The language used starts almost incomprehensibly, and becomes progressively more clear, just as the plot points do. The first half of the book is full of deliberate run-on sentences, incomplete thoughts, and entire pages void of any punctuation. It is clear that Faulkner has a complete mastery of the English language and used it to portray the world in very particular ways.

Spoiler

It was very difficult to get through Benjy's section, particularly since so many characters had the same name and I could hardly tell when the time periods changed. Quentin's section was maybe my favorite, and provided some more clarity but was almost just as confusing at times. He was a very tragic and tortured character who could never rise above his own faults. His obsession with Caddy was disturbing and his views on femininity incredibly outdated. Jason was a bitter and spiteful man, and I hated almost everyone of his actions. He deserved every bad thing that Miss Quentin eventually did to him. And finally, Dilsey is maybe the only member of the Compson household left that has any good left in her. She was the mother and figurehead that the family needed, if only they could get past their own prejudice. I think the story ended rather abruptly, but I appreciate the completeness of it nonetheless. It was a joy to read.