The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

I am told that Faulkner is one of the great writers of the modernist period. I am a Hemingway fan and he is as far from modernism as one can get. Still this book is challenging and if one sticks with it a novel to behold.

The first chapter is told through the eyes of Benny a 33 year old man who is autistic, although in those days is defined more as a dummy. The chapter from Benny's point of view is very hard to read. Told in Faulkner's often used stream of consciousness writing style we learn about Benny in three different ages. We are told that we can define what age Benny is speaking by his caretaker at the time. The second chapter focuses on Quentin the older brother who...struggling with his relationship with his sister and her troubles...commits suicide.

The first chapter is difficult, the second chapter is in parts lose to impossible. Later we follow the last brother, Jason, as he deals with life is manipulative, mean spirited, vengeful and petty. This book is hard and very easy to give up on. Eventually it all comes in focus, the lives of Jason, Quentin, Caddy, Benjy and the mother Caroline. Caroline and Jason are two very unlikable characters but Caddy is exceptional. Her love for Benjy is later compromised by her issues with men. This becomes the nexus of all the brothers troubles. Benjy needs her as his only truly caring person, Quentin struggles with her impurities, and Jason hates her for a loss he felt her responsible for to his future.

Also in the book is the long history of the Compson family attendants, namely a negro family led by Dilsey and three generations of her family.

I have read so many great books it is hard to say this is the best, thiis is the top ten. Faulkner is never easy. He is always worth the effort.