Sound & Fury-Correct

by William Faulkner

Book Overview

The text of this Norton Critical Edition is that of the corrected edition scrupulously prepared by Noel Polk, whose textual note precedes the text. David Minter's annotations are designed to assist the reader with obscure words and allusions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394747747
• ISBN13: 9780394747743
• Release Date: February 1987
• Publisher: Vintage Books USA
• Length: 378 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.

Customer Reviews

I remain enthusiastic

I read this book in college -- about 40 years ago -- and have read it twice since then, as new editions emerged. This corrected text is probably the closest to what Faulkner actually wrote. It is a story of the human heart in conflict with itself, told from several points of view, beginning with the tale "told by an idiot." A grand simplicity governs the page-by-page complexity of this novel, which is often true of tragic tales. It's counterpart is the heart-breaking comedy of AS I LAY DYING, which followed this novel. I would also recommend LIGHT IN AUGUST, SANCTUARY, and ABSOLAM! ABSOLAM! -- all among Faulkner's finest work. This Norton is an excellent edition of what was Faulkner's personal favorite among his books. -- and you can still enjoy the work of Hemingway, Steinbeck and Poe, too.

Excellent edition

I will not discuss the story because I assume anyone looking for this edition of the book knows something of the novel. I will say that I think this edition is the best I have ever read and I enjoyed it immensely. I read the commentary and reviews with as much interest as I did the novel itself. The editor did a good job assembling an all star cast to review the book and provide background information. Anyone interested in this novel, first time readers or fans of the book, should own this copy. It was fabulous from beginning to end. Make sure to read all the articles and reviews, you will not be disappointed.

His best work. Perhaps the best novel of the century.

I'm searching for words to describe this novel, because it is so very complex and unusual that it defies traditional explanation.This novel is so COMPLETE, so WHOLE, that I have not found another that comes close to its ability to convey a story.Faulkner makes use of MANY techniques to describe what can only be called the tragedy of the Compson family, a once-wealthy Southern aristocratic dynasty. These techniques include: 1. Recurring imagery 2. Intensive use of symbolism 3. First-person narration from 4 different viewpoints 4. Occasional stream-of-consciousness passages which let you literally see into a character's thought process (in Quentin's section) 5. Ingenious sequencing of narratives (in Benjy's section, in particular)AND MANY MORE!The central role of imagery to this novel cannot be understated. Each section has its own recurring motifs that (whenever they appear) conjure up an entire armada of connotations. Faulkner was a master of envisioning images and then writing at breakneck pace to describe them. He once stated that The Sound and the Fury began when he got the image of Caddy up in a tree with soiled britches in his head. That was the basis for the novel. Everything else came from his attempt to explain its significance.I was forced to read this as part of an AP English class in high school. It was painful because of its difficulty. But I can't overemphasize the incredible rewards you will reap once you begin to piece the puzzle together. Faulkner's writing is incredibly deliberate; his sentences convey more than the sum of their words because each word's connotation is an entire image. Faulkner relates images, then conjures them up again at will, to iron into our minds what the characters must be thinking and feeling.Many have vilified this novel because some English professors have dubbed it a classic example of "stream-of-consciousness" technique. Such a label is a blatant stereotype, and this great novel should not be trivialized by such a categorization. Stream-of-consciousness is used sparingly and only where it has its most poingant effect. This technique is so perfect in this novel that seeing it in any other setting makes it seem artificial and awkward.My only criticism: I would like to see an edition that colorizes Benjy's section as Faulkner originally intended. You see, Faulkner REALIZED that Benjy's section would be difficult to follow, and wanted to print each period of time (there are approximately 11, if I remember correctly) in a different ink color to help the readers follow the narrative. But being limited by contemporary printing technology, his editor fell back on a rather poor use of italics, which falls fall short and only seems to add to the confusion.Once you've thoroughly read this novel, you can't help but appreciate the masterful way that Faulkner has told the story. After seeing the same story told from four points of view, you reach a higher level of understanding the plight of th

If I like this book, anyone will love it!

First of all, I'm one of those kids who mentally cusses out the teacher every time a novel is assigned, reads two pages of it, then scrapes through each chapter quiz by flicking through my trusty Cliff's notes five minutes before class. But this time, something was different. I found myself actually staying awake whilst reading, and even (gasp!) ENJOYING the book! I was being lured through each section, entranced by the vivid depiction of the tragic downward spiral of the once-noble Compson family. Reading Faulkner's harrowing, in-depth studies into the minds of three very different yet equally fascinating siblings is like piecing a puzzle together. The so-called idiot (Benjy), the virginity-obsessed suicidal (Quentin), the spiteful demon (Jason) and their kindhearted servant (Dilsey) all focus on the beautiful, rebellious Caddie. In doing so, they reveal fascinating ideas about the human mind and society. Trust me, this book is truly thought provoking. My English grade of an 'A' now stands out like a sore thumb on my report card, just as this masterpiece does in a world full of books that will always be second best.

Seminal work in the English language

The first time I had to read this book, I didn't so much read it as scowl and condemnt it. How dare a novel be so dense, so distant from the reader! What's the point of classic literature if it can not be read by the comman man? However, in order to pass my Literature class, I had to stick with it, forego the Cliffs Notes... trudge in with a knife in my teeth, ready to kill that white elephant.To say I respect this book is an understatement. The Sound and the Fury was my Rosetta Stone. When I finally understood the degradation of the post-slave south, the swiftly eroding morality, the hypocrisy, and the questioning of the meaning of religion and human value... all books became easier to read. I have become a literary snob, reading only those books that attack my values and intellect, and I blame that torrid dypsomaniac William Faulkner. From the Macbeth Act V, Scene V quote that sets the stage to the reccurent symbols to the overwhelming pain of every carefully chosen word, I have never been so challenged since. Don't buy the one-star reviews. Great works of literature and art aren't great because they are pablum for the masses, they are great because they demand the reader to grow and question everything held dear. Emily Dickensen said the only poetry worth reading is that which lops your head off. This novel is the guillotine for anyone who believes intelligence is a matter of cleverness. Caveat Lector and enjoy.