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A review by anomandrewrake
Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
No star rating, because I don't really feel qualified. About five pages into this book I was saying to myself, "I'm not quite sure I'm smart enough to understand this." I know now I'm smart enough to, but I feel I need to defer any judgement until a second read when I can really dig into it.
The thing I will say about Faulkner (other than that he's bonkers) is that there's something about his (bonkers) prose that's utterly hypnotic. There's a rhythm to it, like a beat. This book is the best example of someone breaking grammar rules not because they can't be bothered, but because they know exactly what effect they hope to achieve and simply can't do it without breaking them.
On the other hand, this book is depressing depressing depressing. Similar to The Sound and the Fury, I guess. I'm not sure I have a good handle on what Faulkner was trying to say with this story, so for now the sadness and the darkness just feel oppressive to me. Can't deny he built an atmosphere though.
I've learned that apparently the two Faulkner novels I've read are universally considered his most unapproachable, so I still want to give him a shot further. Not sure about As I Lay Dying, but I might try a short story or maybe The Hamlet. I do want to read something lighter first though.
The thing I will say about Faulkner (other than that he's bonkers) is that there's something about his (bonkers) prose that's utterly hypnotic. There's a rhythm to it, like a beat. This book is the best example of someone breaking grammar rules not because they can't be bothered, but because they know exactly what effect they hope to achieve and simply can't do it without breaking them.
On the other hand, this book is depressing depressing depressing. Similar to The Sound and the Fury, I guess. I'm not sure I have a good handle on what Faulkner was trying to say with this story, so for now the sadness and the darkness just feel oppressive to me. Can't deny he built an atmosphere though.
I've learned that apparently the two Faulkner novels I've read are universally considered his most unapproachable, so I still want to give him a shot further. Not sure about As I Lay Dying, but I might try a short story or maybe The Hamlet. I do want to read something lighter first though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Incest