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jramm 's review for:
Absalom, Absalom!
by William Faulkner
What a strange and beautiful novel! This is Faulkner’s most revealing work about the South, his best illustration of stream of consciousness. Although I have read plenty of Faulkner works, nothing prepared me for Absalom, Absalom! (got to love that title, as if Faulkner is telling us something about the South before we even embark) Everything about this book is difficult: the narrative structure, character development, story line, thematic content and grammar (page-long sentences, paragraphs that never end). It’s like trying to read Shakespeare as a high school student – you need a few hundred pages before you start to comprehend ye olde English. The same is true about this novel, except you never reach a comfort level. I think Faulkner is saying that if you are having trouble following the story or understanding the characters, well, then, welcome to life, especially because he is using various perspectives to reconstruct a story about the past, without ever providing a definitive version.
Sometimes, while perusing Good Reads reviews, I want to track down some of you insolent fools that give my favorite books one-star ratings. I want to interrupt you while on a date, maybe out at a nice restaurant and throw wine in your face. I want to find you in a shopping mall and attempt to embarrass you in public. I want to tie you to a chair and refuse release until you see the beauty of the work that you’re probably just too stupid to appreciate. But this book is different. I understand the one-star ratings. I understand why few finish the novel. It’s the same reason we have heated discussions about Infinite Jest or Finnegan’s Wake. These books are enigmatic puzzles that hold revelations for those who are patient enough to put up with them.
There is a conversion tactic used by missionaries of all stripes; they promise that if you put in the investment, you’ll become a believer (just keep praying, attending, donating, reading). Psychology shows that the more involved we become in something, the more we believe. So with the same zeal as a missionary, I’ll tell you that with a sufficient time investment this book can change your life. How do I back that up? I don’t need to, because once your in, you’ll have your own reasons to stay.
Sometimes, while perusing Good Reads reviews, I want to track down some of you insolent fools that give my favorite books one-star ratings. I want to interrupt you while on a date, maybe out at a nice restaurant and throw wine in your face. I want to find you in a shopping mall and attempt to embarrass you in public. I want to tie you to a chair and refuse release until you see the beauty of the work that you’re probably just too stupid to appreciate. But this book is different. I understand the one-star ratings. I understand why few finish the novel. It’s the same reason we have heated discussions about Infinite Jest or Finnegan’s Wake. These books are enigmatic puzzles that hold revelations for those who are patient enough to put up with them.
There is a conversion tactic used by missionaries of all stripes; they promise that if you put in the investment, you’ll become a believer (just keep praying, attending, donating, reading). Psychology shows that the more involved we become in something, the more we believe. So with the same zeal as a missionary, I’ll tell you that with a sufficient time investment this book can change your life. How do I back that up? I don’t need to, because once your in, you’ll have your own reasons to stay.