logo

52 pages 1 hour read

Light in August

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1932

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
William Faulkner

Light in August

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1932
Book Details
Pages

507

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Jefferson, Mississippi • 1930s

Publication Year

1932

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

930L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Published in 1932, Light in August by William Faulkner is set in the American South during prohibition and follows an ensemble cast of characters, including Lena Grove, a young pregnant woman seeking her lover, and Joe Christmas, a biracial man navigating alienation and a tumultuous relationship, culminating in a tragic series of events. The novel features racism, violence, and systemic inequality.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Dark

Melancholic

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

4.0

64,610 ratings

71%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

William Faulkner's Light in August is celebrated for its intricate narrative and deep psychological insight, offering a profound look at racial and social themes in the American South. Critics praise its richly drawn characters and linguistic brilliance, though some note its dense prose and nonlinear structure can be challenging.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Light in August?

A reader who enjoys Southern Gothic literature, complex character studies, and themes of identity, race, and isolation would appreciate William Faulkner's Light in August. Fans of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Sound and the Fury by Faulkner himself may find this novel particularly engaging.

4.0

64,610 ratings

71%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Joe Christmas

A biracial drifter whose uncertain identity and racial ambiguity create conflict and tension in the Southern communities he encounters. His journey highlights the struggles with identity and societal acceptance.

A former minister who lives a life of seclusion and introspection, haunted by his family’s past. He is known for his kindness despite being shunned by his community.

A young and determined pregnant woman traveling to find the father of her unborn child. Her journey showcases her resourcefulness and warmth, which elicit the kindness of strangers.

A diligent and noble worker at a mill who consistently demonstrates Southern hospitality. Although well-meaning, his acts of kindness sometimes lead to personal sacrifice.

A lifelong resident of Jefferson known for her philanthropic work with Black communities. She lives in isolation and faces tensions related to her Northern heritage.

A cunning vagabond and opportunist who flees his responsibilities and becomes involved in illegal activities. His actions indirectly propel significant events in the narrative.

Book Details
Pages

507

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Jefferson, Mississippi • 1930s

Publication Year

1932

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

930L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.