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debicates's review against another edition
4.0
Faulkner, when he's good is very very very good. When he's brilliant, I can't quite follow. But that's okay; there's enough there for me to be mesmerized by. Several times I caught myself worrying while reading Light in August that Faulkner's brilliance would spoil me, that I wouldn't be able to enjoy another regularly wonderful tale again after being blinded by such illumination.
There is one thing that I didn't like about Light in August -- and it's a biggie. I don't like reading about psychopaths. And in this story, I counted at least 3 (Christmas, Hines, and Grimm). Maybe in Faulkner's day it wasn't common-place to hear about some atrocity committed by a Christmas or a Grimm. But in my day, all I have to do tune into the daily news to read about some astounding way men or women can be evil and twisted. I'm pretty sick of sick bastards. Too bad Faulkner writes frequently about bastards.
I loved Chapter 1. It was absolute perfection. And Chapter 21 ended things on an upbeat. In between, I was content enough to read and pick up the nuggets where they lay along the road of Christmas' bleak and violent journey.
There is one thing that I didn't like about Light in August -- and it's a biggie. I don't like reading about psychopaths. And in this story, I counted at least 3 (Christmas, Hines, and Grimm). Maybe in Faulkner's day it wasn't common-place to hear about some atrocity committed by a Christmas or a Grimm. But in my day, all I have to do tune into the daily news to read about some astounding way men or women can be evil and twisted. I'm pretty sick of sick bastards. Too bad Faulkner writes frequently about bastards.
I loved Chapter 1. It was absolute perfection. And Chapter 21 ended things on an upbeat. In between, I was content enough to read and pick up the nuggets where they lay along the road of Christmas' bleak and violent journey.
gelainmariaelena's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booksandnothingcels's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
areemts1130's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
unavittoria's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
iainkelly_writing's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
One of Faulkners's more accessible books in terms of his writing style - while still dense, the long sentences are here restricted somewhat - and also one of his most challenging and complex stories as it exposes the American South's attitude to race, equality, violence and justice. At the same time the book is a compelling story, multi-layered and smartly plotted with several memorable characters, none of whom are as evil or decent as they first appear. A real tour de force of literature and writing.
chiara_calime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0