The Sound and the Fury

A complex, intense American novel of family from the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature With an introduction by Richard Hughes Ever since the first furore was created on its publication in 1929, The Sound and the Fury has been considered one of the key novels of this century. Depicting the gradual disintegration of the Compson family through four fractured narratives, the novel explores intense, passionate family relationships where there is no love, only self-centredness. At its heart, this is a novel about lovelessness - 'only an idiot has no grief; only a fool would forget it. What else is there in this world sharp enough to stick to your guts?'

A complex, intense American novel of family from the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature With an introduction by Richard Hughes Ever since the first furore was created on its publication in 1929, The Sound and the Fury has been considered one of the key novels of this century. Depicting the gradual disintegration of the Compson family through four fractured narratives, the novel explores intense, passionate family relationships where there is no love, only self-centredness. At its heart, this is a novel about lovelessness - 'only an idiot has no grief; only a fool would forget it. What else is there in this world sharp enough to stick to your guts?'

First published in 1929, William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" was not an immediate commercial or critical success. It was not until the publication of Faulkner's sixth novel, "Sanctuary", that readers broadly discovered his earlier works. Noted for its creative use of various narrative styles, including stream of consciousness, "The Sound and the Fury" follows the lives of the once-prosperous white family, the Compsons. Principally told throughout Easter weekend in 1928, the novel relates the numerous tragedies of the family, including an incestuous pregnancy and suicide. Because of its unconventional narrative style, "The Sound and the Fury" puts off many new readers. Its frequent changes in setting and time, combined with its loose sentence structure, make the work a challenging read. Notwithstanding the narrative complexity of the novel, or possibly because of it, "The Sound and the Fury" has widely come to be considered a masterpiece of modernist literature.

First published in 1929, William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" was not an immediate commercial or critical success. It was not until the publication of Faulkner's sixth novel, "Sanctuary", that readers broadly discovered his earlier works. Noted for its creative use of various narrative styles, including stream of consciousness, "The Sound and the Fury" follows the lives of the once-prosperous white family, the Compsons. Principally told throughout Easter weekend in 1928, the novel relates the numerous tragedies of the family, including an incestuous pregnancy and suicide. Because of its unconventional narrative style, "The Sound and the Fury" puts off many new readers. Its frequent changes in setting and time, combined with its loose sentence structure, make the work a challenging read. Notwithstanding the narrative complexity of the novel, or possibly because of it, "The Sound and the Fury" has widely come to be considered a masterpiece of modernist literature.

Ever since the first furore was created on its publication in 1929, The Sound and the Fury has been considered one of the key novels of this century. Depicting the gradual disintegration of the Compson family through four fractured narratives, the novel explores intense, passionate family relationships where there is no love, only self-centredness. At its heart, this is a novel about lovelessness

Ever since the first furore was created on its publication in 1929, The Sound and the Fury has been considered one of the key novels of this century. Depicting the gradual disintegration of the Compson family through four fractured narratives, the novel explores intense, passionate family relationships where there is no love, only self-centredness. At its heart, this is a novel about lovelessness

The Sound and the Fury is the tragedy of the Compson family, featuring some of the most memorable characters in literature: beautiful, rebellious Caddy; the manchild Benjy; haunted, neurotic Quentin; Jason, the brutal cynic; and Dilsey, their black servant. Their lives fragmented and harrowed by history and legacy, the character's voices and actions mesh to create what is arguably Faulkner's masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. "I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire. . . . I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools." -from The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury is the tragedy of the Compson family, featuring some of the most memorable characters in literature: beautiful, rebellious Caddy; the manchild Benjy; haunted, neurotic Quentin; Jason, the brutal cynic; and Dilsey, their black servant. Their lives fragmented and harrowed by history and legacy, the character's voices and actions mesh to create what is arguably Faulkner's masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. "I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire. . . . I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools." -from The Sound and the Fury

William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury is a masterpiece of modernist literature, renowned for its complexity and emotional depth. Set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, the novel delves into the turbulent world of the Compson family, unraveling their fall from grace and the impact of time on memory, identity, and loss. What makes this work extraordinary is Faulkner's innovative narrative structure, which defies traditional storytelling. The novel is divided into four distinct sections, each told from the perspective of different characters-Benjy, a mentally disabled man; Quentin, a troubled and introspective student; Jason, an embittered and cynical brother; and the omniscient third-person narrator who attempts to tie the story together. Through fragmented time shifts, unreliable perceptions, and streams of consciousness, Faulkner masterfully portrays the internal struggles of each character, presenting a haunting exploration of the human condition. The Sound and the Fury weaves themes of disintegration-of family, tradition, and the Southern way of life-amidst the emotional chaos of love, betrayal, and memory. With its intricate narrative style and profound emotional resonance, it challenges readers to interpret its layers of meaning, ultimately offering a tragic and poignant vision of the past's irreversible influence on the present. It's a novel that demands engagement, reflection, and, ultimately, deep admiration for Faulkner's daring artistry.

William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury is a masterpiece of modernist literature, renowned for its complexity and emotional depth . Set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, the novel delves into the turbulent world of the Compson family, unraveling their fall from grace and the impact of time on memory, identity, and loss. What makes this work extraordinary is Faulkner's innovative narrative structure, which defies traditional storytelling. The novel is divided into four distinct sections, each told from the perspective of different characters-Benjy, a mentally disabled man; Quentin, a troubled and introspective student; Jason, an embittered and cynical brother; and the omniscient third-person narrator who attempts to tie the story together. Through fragmented time shifts, unreliable perceptions, and streams of consciousness, Faulkner masterfully portrays the internal struggles of each character, presenting a haunting exploration of the human condition. The Sound and the Fury weaves themes of disintegration-of family, tradition, and the Southern way of life-amidst the emotional chaos of love, betrayal, and memory. With its intricate narrative style and profound emotional resonance, it challenges readers to interpret its layers of meaning, ultimately offering a tragic and poignant vision of the past's irreversible influence on the present. It's a novel that demands engagement, reflection, and, ultimately, deep admiration for Faulkner's daring artistry.

This Norton Critical Edition includes: The 1929 text of The Sound and the Fury, corrected by textual scholar Noel Polk to correspond to Faulkner’s original complete manuscript. A reimagined preface, revised headnotes, and expanded footnotes by Michael Gorra to contextualize, among other aspects, racial epithets and biblical allusions. Additional writings by Faulkner, ranging from selected letters to his address upon receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature. Contextual materials illuminating contemporary responses to the novel and the cultural and historical environment of Faulkner’s Mississippi, featuring new photographs of Oxford by George G. Stewart. Over 15 critical essays. A selected bibliography and a chronology.

This Norton Critical Edition includes: The 1929 text of The Sound and the Fury, corrected by textual scholar Noel Polk to correspond to Faulkner’s original complete manuscript. A reimagined preface, revised headnotes, and expanded footnotes by Michael Gorra to contextualize, among other aspects, racial epithets and biblical allusions. Additional writings by Faulkner, ranging from selected letters to his address upon receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature. Contextual materials illuminating contemporary responses to the novel and the cultural and historical environment of Faulkner’s Mississippi, featuring new photographs of Oxford by George G. Stewart. Over 15 critical essays. A selected bibliography and a chronology.

A stunningly designed and produced new collectible hardcover edition of Faulkner's masterpiece, with full-color illustrations of scenes from the novel A classic of American literature from a Nobel Prize winning author, The Sound and the Fury is widely considered to be one of the best novels of the twentieth century. William Faulkner expertly illustrates the epic and tragic story of the Compson family, three generations of Southern aristocrats on the brink of ruin. Unprecedented for its time, Faulkner weaves a tale spanning nearly two decades, told from multiple points of view in a style all its own. Featuring some of the most memorable characters in literature--the beautiful and rebellious Caddy; the haunted and neurotic Quentin; the brutal and cynical Jason; and Dilsey, the matriarchal servant who observes them all--this novel is a heart-rending investigation of family, legacy, social change, and the decline of a once powerful aristocratic dynasty.

A stunningly designed and produced new collectible hardcover edition of Faulkner's masterpiece, with full-color illustrations of scenes from the novel A classic of American literature from a Nobel Prize winning author, The Sound and the Fury is widely considered to be one of the best novels of the twentieth century. William Faulkner expertly illustrates the epic and tragic story of the Compson family, three generations of Southern aristocrats on the brink of ruin. Unprecedented for its time, Faulkner weaves a tale spanning nearly two decades, told from multiple points of view in a style all its own. Featuring some of the most memorable characters in literature--the beautiful and rebellious Caddy; the haunted and neurotic Quentin; the brutal and cynical Jason; and Dilsey, the matriarchal servant who observes them all--this novel is a heart-rending investigation of family, legacy, social change, and the decline of a once powerful aristocratic dynasty.