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William Faulkner: Novels 1942–1954

william faulkner joseph blotner noel polk

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The years 1942 to 1954 saw William Faulkner’s rise to literary celebrity—sought after by Hollywood, lionized by the critics, awarded a Nobel Prize in 1950 and the Pulitzer and National Book Award for 1954. But, despite his success, he was plagued by depression and alcohol and haunted by a sense that he had more to achieve—and a finite amount of time and energy to achieve it.

This Library of America volume collects the novels written during this crucial period; defying the odds, Faulkner continued to break new ground in American fiction. He delved deeper into themes of race and religion and furthered his experiments with fictional structure and narrative voice. These newly restored texts, based on Faulkner’s manuscripts, typescripts, and proof sheets, are free of the changes introduced by the original editors and are faithful to the author’s intentions.

Go Down, Moses (1942) is a haunting novel made up of seven related stories that explore the intertwined lives of black, white, and Indian inhabitants of Yoknapatawpha County. It includes “The Bear,” one of the most famous works in all American fiction, with its evocation of “the wilderness, the big woods, bigger and older than any recorded document.”

Characters from Go Down, Moses reappear in Intruder in the Dust (1948). Part detective novel, part morality tale, it is a compassionate story of a black man on trial and the growing moral awareness of a southern white boy.

Requiem for a Nun (1951) is a sequel to Sanctuary. With an unusual structure combining novel and play, it tells the fate of the passionate, haunted Temple Drake and the murder case through which she achieves a tortured redemption. Prose interludes condense millennia of local history into a swirling counterpoint.

In A Fable (1954), a recasting of the Christ story set during World War I, Faulkner wanted to “try to tell what I had found in my lifetime of truth in some important way before I had to put the pen down and die.” The novel, which earned a Pulitzer Prize, is both an anguished spiritual parable and a drama of mutiny, betrayal, and violence in the barracks and on the battlefields.

1110 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1,1994

This edition

Format
1110 pages, Hardcover
Published
October 1, 1994 by Library of America
ISBN
9780940450851
ASIN
0940450852
Language
English

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About the author

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william faulkner

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William Cuthbert Faulkner was an American writer. He is best known for his novels and short stories set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, a stand-in for Lafayette County where he spent most of his life. A Nobel laureate, Faulkner is one of the most celebrated writers of American literature and often is considered the greatest writer of Southern literature.
Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi, and raised in Oxford, Mississippi. During World War I, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, but did not serve in combat. Returning to Oxford, he attended the University of Mississippi for three semesters before dropping out. He moved to New Orleans, where he wrote his first novel Soldiers' Pay (1925). He went back to Oxford and wrote Sartoris (1927), his first work set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County. In 1929, he published The Sound and the Fury. The following year, he wrote As I Lay Dying. Later that decade, he wrote Light in August, Absalom, Absalom! and The Wild Palms. He also worked as a screenwriter, contributing to Howard Hawks's To Have and Have Not and The Big Sleep, adapted from Raymond Chandler's novel. The former film, adapted from Ernest Hemingway's novel, is the only film with contributions by two Nobel laureates.
Faulkner's reputation grew following publication of Malcolm Cowley's The Portable Faulkner, and he was awarded the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature for "his powerful and unique contribution to the modern American novel." He is the only Mississippi-born Nobel laureate. Two of his works, A Fable (1954) and The Reivers (1962), won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Faulkner died from a heart attack on July 6, 1962, following a fall from his horse the month before. Ralph Ellison called him "the greatest artist the South has produced".

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 12 votes)
5 stars
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12 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
taptothebeat
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I read (and rated) only Nun because I’d already read Intruder. I simply wasn’t interested in the others.

Recently, I’ve run into this quote a few times: "The past is never dead. It's not even past." This profound statement really struck me.

It makes me think about how our past experiences, memories, and mistakes continue to shape us in the present.

Even though we may try to forget or move on from certain things, they still linger within us and influence our actions and decisions.

In a way, the quote is better than the story because it holds a universal truth that can apply to anyone's life.

It makes us reflect on our own past and how it has affected who we are today.

Maybe we should all take a moment to consider the power of the past and how we can use it to create a better future.

Overall, while the story of Nun may have had its merits, it was this quote that really stayed with me and made me think.

It's amazing how a few simple words can have such a profound impact on our thoughts and perspectives.

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WhitakerAl
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The fourth and penultimate volume of the series published by the Librería de América contains works published during the time when \n   William FAULKNER\n achieved the status of a "rockstar" in American literature. He received the Nobel Prize in 1950 and the Pulitzer and National Book Award in 1954. As often happens, the peak of his fame coincided with periods of depression and alcoholism.


The novels included here are:


Go Down, Moses (1942, 3 stars): Seven interrelated narratives that explore the relationships between whites, blacks, and Native Americans in the mythical Yoknapatawpha County, through the history of the descendants of Lucius Carrothers McCaslin: the McCaslins and the Beauchamps (more extensive review here).


Intruder in the Dust (1948, 4 stars): Part mystery novel, part moral tale, it tells how a white boy saves a mulatto (Lucas Beauchamp, who also appears in the previous book) from an unjust accusation (more extensive review here).


Requiem for a Nun (1951, 2 stars): The continuation of "Sanctuary" has a very strange structure, half play, half narrative, which didn't engage me at all, hence the few stars.


A Fable (1954, 2 stars): Published after winning the Nobel Prize, it is the story of the Messiah acting in World War I. I thought it was weak, although at the time it was highly praised and earned Faulkner the Pulitzer Prize!
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rmn226
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Requiem for a Nun was the novel that had a profound impact on my life. It was this very book that led to me being targeted and ultimately thrown out of St. John's College. However, looking back, I consider it one of my proudest moments.


This novel, with its complex themes and thought-provoking ideas, challenged the status quo and the traditional ways of thinking at the college. It made me question everything I had been taught and pushed me to explore new perspectives.


Although being thrown out was initially a difficult experience, it also opened up new opportunities for me. It forced me to think independently and pursue my own interests.


In conclusion, Requiem for a Nun may have caused me trouble at St. John's College, but it also set me on a path of self-discovery and growth. I will always be proud of the fact that I had the courage to stand up for what I believed in, even if it meant going against the grain.
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Kofuku-dono
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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On July 3, 2021, the work "Go Down, Moses" was presented. This piece likely holds deep significance and perhaps tells a story that engages the readers on multiple levels.


Then, on July 17, 2021, "Intruder In The Dust" made its appearance. The title itself intrigues, making one wonder about the nature of the intruder and the circumstances surrounding this event.


Finally, on July 25, 2021, "Requiem For A Nun" was introduced. A requiem is often a solemn and mournful piece, and one can only imagine the emotions and themes that this work explores related to the nun.


Together, these three works create a collection that spans different dates and likely different literary landscapes, each offering its own unique perspective and narrative.

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Glitchy_Mai
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Another four masterpieces.

These novels are truly remarkable. Each one showcases Faulkner's extraordinary talent and creativity.

Among them, "A Fable" stands out especially. It demonstrates Faulkner in his absolute peak form.

The story is filled with profound themes and complex characters. Faulkner's writing style is rich and vivid, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

His ability to explore the human psyche and the depths of emotions is truly astonishing.

These four masterpieces are a testament to Faulkner's status as one of the greatest American writers. They continue to be studied and admired by readers and scholars alike.

Faulkner's works have had a profound impact on the literary world and will continue to do so for generations to come.
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MilkyFluids
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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From this collection,

"Go Down, Moses" stands out as a remarkable piece. It holds a special place within the body of work.

This title likely evokes a sense of significance and perhaps a connection to a deeper theme or story.

One can't help but wonder about the inspiration behind it and the ideas that the author intended to convey.

Is it a reference to a particular event or a symbol of something more profound?

As we explore this collection further, we may discover the true essence of "Go Down, Moses" and how it fits into the larger context.

It could be a key piece that unlocks the mysteries and meanings hidden within the other works.

Whether it's a powerful poem, a captivating short story, or a thought-provoking essay, "Go Down, Moses" has the potential to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

We look forward to delving into its pages and uncovering the treasures that lie within.

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Sekaiou
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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See my reviews of individual works in this collection.

Each work within this collection has its own unique charm and characteristics. Through my reviews, I aim to provide a detailed analysis and evaluation of each piece.

I will explore the themes, techniques, and overall impact of each work, highlighting both its strengths and any areas that may need improvement.

By reading my reviews, you will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the individual works within this collection, and be able to make more informed judgments about their quality and significance.

So, take a look at my reviews and discover the hidden gems and interesting perspectives within this collection of works.
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lariescat
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Faulkner's periodic prose

truly encapsulates a reining in of the South's bloody past. It lurches, inexorably, toward the present in a disorienting manner. The reader has to concentrate hard to follow the story through the dense prose. But it's okay, as it is truly rewarding.

"Go Down, Moses" is a multi-generational saga where both the people and the Mississippi county change, facing uncertain progress. "The Bear" is a classic novella about a hunter, from his teenage years to an older age, confronting the title animal. The bear is symbolic of unbridled freedom and America's longevity.

"Intruder in the Dust" shows a black man, accused of murder, seeking help from a young, white boy - the moral conscience of the events. "Requiem for a Nun" has a white woman atoning for the immoral injustice of a black housekeeper and "A Fable" sees mercy in the chaotic World War I. Faulkner's fictions serve as a powerful reminder of how far we still have to go in race relations.

His works are not just stories but a mirror reflecting the complex and often troubled history of the South and the nation as a whole.
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