Book Review

Title: The Sound and the Fury
Author: William Faulkner
Publication: 1929
Genre: Southern Gothic, Modernist

As a fan of literature and a writer, I have intended to read this classic for a long time. After recently coming across the trailer for James Franco's upcoming film adaptation of the work, I finally found the impetus to check it out of the library and give it a whirl. It's widely considered one of the greatest English-language novels of the 20th century, and I might agree with that consensus had I read it prior to the emergence of the information age. Like many classics, I found it doesn't stand the test of time. Granted, the writing is excellent and I understand why it's held in high esteem. The stream-of-consciousness technique Faulkner employs so adeptly is worth the read, but the plot, characters, and conflicts are lackluster. It would probably benefit from a second read given the nonlinear timeline, frequent changes in setting, and disorienting dialogue, and perhaps I will reread it in the future and give it a fair trial. Whether that happens or not, I can confidently say this one's exclusively for literature dorks. But by all means, whoever you are, go see the Franco film. It should be an interesting experience.