August Heat was undoubtedly the most symbolic book I have ever read. The literary fabric created was truly wrapped in a poetic structure. It was one of the best books I have read by Faulkner, with whom I became acquainted for the first time. His wisdom, language, originality, the differences among the systems he established, the high-level metaphysical concepts in the characters, and his ability to take the possibilities of his own language to the highest level, especially in the last part, teaching all the dualities he knew to the reader.

Firstly, when I read Faulkner in English and had difficulties in some meaningful expressions, there were many times when I felt the need to compare the relevant part with Belge's translation. However, I think Murat Belge has very successfully brought out all kinds of word games that Faulkner made in August Heat in line with the possibilities of the language. For example, in August Heat, Faulkner uses the word "heat" in the title not only as the opposite of the heavy word left on a universal basis by the Second World War period, which was a difficult and ambiguous period in terms of gender and race concepts but also had a truly satanic atmosphere. There is also a great symbolic reference to the child of a woman who is going to give birth. The title, full of puzzles for the reader, and the layering of this double meaning within his own characters deliberately drags the reader towards a more tiring atmosphere. Similarly, the main characters, especially in Joe Christmas or Byron Bunch, are constructed in a way that they will complement each other symbolically, and the fact that they make flashbacks in an incredibly detailed way to the stories of each character makes the book even more interesting.

I admit that the book has an extremely tiring and boring structure. I was especially more tired in the last parts, but I think the reason for this tiredness is that Faulkner starts the book with the theme of a journey and also ends it with a journey.

10/8,5

Increasingly, I find myself confident in my unwavering belief that Faulkner is, without a doubt, the best American writer to have ever graced the literary scene. The man simply does not miss a beat. Light in August, although perhaps more conventional than some of his other notable works, serves only to accentuate his remarkable skill in the so-called “traditional” elements of novel writing.

Particularly, there is an abundance of truly brilliant character work here. All of the major players in the novel feel fully realized, in that captivating “I’m only catching a glimpse of a living, breathing person” kind of way. Their narratives are not only legitimate but also truly fascinating. The plot, too, is not sacrificed in the pursuit of attaining that lofty capital “L” Literary status.

Thematically, Faulkner is hitting all the right notes. He clearly has a profound interest in the concepts of time, recurrence, and predestination, all of which are explored through the content of the novel, the prose employed, and the very structure of the book itself. He also delves into the idea of how we, as individuals, either participate in or are ostracized by “the community”. There is a very clear focus on sex/gender, religion, and class as well.

But above all else, this book is about race. And it's not just about racism; it's about the concept of “Racialization”. Because of this, the novel feels incredibly relevant in the 21st century. Faulkner is not simply discussing chattel slavery as some evil historical period; rather, he presents it as a core part, an original, omnipresent sin that defines the way the South - and indeed, America - is today (both in 1932 and in the present day). The world of Light in August revolves around race and forces us, as readers, to confront the reality that perhaps our world isn't all that different, albeit a bit more subtle. Overall, it's just really, really good.

Faulkner is Faulkner. Well, it's really like God is writing. I'm not going to reveal something now that is not known. And "Light in August" has all the elements that characterize it, but well divided, so that anyone can read it. We already know that Faulkner sometimes becomes demanding. Namely: fragmentation of the story, temporal jumps, southern decadence, religious fanaticism, miserable and/or twisted characters, interior monologues, and changes in the point of view in the narration. And why don't I give it a 5? Because it's precisely Faulkner, and we already know what that means when we read with the intention of entertaining ourselves.

Faulkner's works are often complex and require careful reading and analysis. "Light in August" is no exception. The fragmented nature of the story can make it a bit challenging to follow at times, but it also adds to the overall depth and richness of the narrative. The temporal jumps keep the reader on their toes and add an element of mystery and suspense. The theme of southern decadence is explored in great detail, showing the decline of the South after the Civil War and the resulting social and moral decay.

The religious fanaticism of some of the characters is another interesting aspect of the novel. It shows how religion can be used to justify all kinds of actions, both good and bad. The miserable and twisted characters are also well-developed, making the reader feel a range of emotions from sympathy to disgust. The interior monologues give the reader an insight into the characters' minds and add to the psychological depth of the novel. Finally, the changes in the point of view in the narration add another layer of complexity to the story, making it a truly unique and engaging read.

Lena Grove undertakes a journey, traversing the South on foot and with the help of kind strangers. Her mission is to find the father of her unborn child. This journey serves as a window through which the reader is introduced to a diverse cast of characters. There's the child's father, a man who unexpectedly falls in love with Lena, and a biracial man named Christmas. Each of these characters has a story that demands to be told, and Faulkner masterfully weaves a tapestry of back stories and histories within the pages of this book.

Light in August is one of his more accessible texts. It's easy to get into initially, with a relatively straightforward narrative. However, as the story progresses, it gradually builds up to its complexities and somewhat confusing narrative traits. The result is a text that is both readable and manages to capture the depth of character and the nuanced study of human nature that Faulkner is renowned for.

For the first couple of chapters, this book doesn't seem like a typical Faulkner work. The text is surprisingly approachable and linear. But by the last few chapters, Faulkner is intertwining disparate narratives and times, and making use of more streams of consciousness. The book definitely becomes more complex as it unfolds. This gradual build-up in style and complexity allows the reader to adapt to Faulkner's writing style and techniques, making the end of the book more rewarding as the reader has a better understanding of how to interpret it.

I highly recommend this text for readers new to Faulkner. I think high schools could benefit from using it instead of As I Lay Dying. That being said, I personally enjoyed As I Lay Dying and The Sound and the Fury more. In those books, Faulkner immediately delves into the complex end of his writing style, reaching their full potential from the start rather than building up to it. The characters in those books have more stories, more thoughts, and more key events. The information is tightly packed, emotional, and raw, less filtered through the writer's lens. In Light in August, I didn't feel like I found as much depth or character interest, with the possible exception of Christmas, whose life story gets the most attention and time.

Nonetheless, I have no doubt that this is a good book. The characters are real and the descriptions are detailed, almost tangible. Faulkner tackles the greater issues of humanity, personal history, and fault and action from multiple angles, both narratively and character-based. The book is compelling, a mix of depressing and uplifting moments, and certainly enlightening. I do recommend this book, as well as any other work by Faulkner. He is an extraordinary author who conveys a deep fascination with and profound insights on humanity. This book is a good starting point for those new to Faulkner, and while it may be disappointing in terms of style and depth to those who have already read his other works, Light in August still contains one of Faulkner's most complex and compelling characters and is a rewarding read.