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The Sound and the Fury

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1929

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Book Brief

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William Faulkner

The Sound and the Fury

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1929
Book Details
Pages

326

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Mississippi • 1920s

Publication Year

1929

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

800L

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Super Short Summary

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner depicts the decline of the once-prominent Southern Compson family through the perspectives of three brothers—Benjy, Quentin, and Jason—and an omniscient narrator focusing on the housekeeper, Dilsey. The non-linear narrative reveals their struggles with change in the Old South, centering around their sister Caddy's defiance of traditional values. The novel includes racially-offensive and sexist language, as well as depictions of death by suicide, alcohol use disorder, incest, and mental disability.

Mysterious

Melancholic

Dark

Challenging

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.0

188,340 ratings

67%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury is lauded for its innovative narrative structure and profound psychological depth. Many praise its rich, complex storytelling, though some find its fragmented, nonlinear approach challenging. The novel’s exploration of a Southern family’s downfall offers both poignancy and intense character study, making it a standout yet demanding read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sound and the Fury?

A reader who enjoys complex narratives, stream-of-consciousness style, and exploring themes of family, time, and the human condition would find The Sound and the Fury captivating. Fans of James Joyce's Ulysses or Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse will appreciate Faulkner's intricate prose and deep psychological insight.

4.0

188,340 ratings

67%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

326

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Mississippi • 1920s

Publication Year

1929

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

800L

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