Reading, parsing, and internalizing many of these complex stories was no easy feat for me. It involved a great deal of hard work. The powerful portrayal of southern social and racial hierarchies in several stories such as "Dry September," "Red Leaves," "There Was a Queen," "That Evening Sun," and "Mountain Victory" was truly challenging to face. These stories laid bare the harsh realities and inequalities of that time and place. However, among all of them, "Two Soldiers" and "Race at Morning" stood out as my favorites. They delved into human experiences with an extraordinary level of sensitivity. The characters and their emotions were so vividly depicted that it was as if I could step into their shoes and understand their struggles and joys. These two stories had a profound impact on me, making me reflect on the human condition and the power of literature to touch our hearts and minds.

Favourite Stories

Barn Burning is a captivating tale that delves into the complex relationship between a father and son. It explores themes of loyalty, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.

Two Soldiers tells the story of two brothers and their journey during a time of war. It showcases their courage, determination, and the bond that holds them together.

A Rose for Emily is a mysterious and haunting story. It follows the life of a reclusive woman and the secrets that lie within her decaying mansion.

Dry September is a powerful and thought-provoking narrative. It examines issues of race, gender, and violence in a small southern town.

That Evening Sun is a poignant and bittersweet story. It explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.

These stories are all favourites for different reasons. They each offer unique insights into the human condition and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Whether it's the intense drama of Barn Burning, the emotional depth of Two Soldiers, the mystery of A Rose for Emily, the social commentary of Dry September, or the nostalgia of That Evening Sun, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

A life cannot be complete without Faulkner.

Ever since I read "A Rose for Emily" as a boy, I have been completely hooked on Faulkner. I always kept a worn-out copy of his works on hand. This was especially useful when my teachers accused me of using run-on sentences, as I could show them that some of Faulkner's sentences took up an entire page! He is truly a master of the craft.

When I have been away in some foreign country for too long and start to feel homesick, I turn to a Faulkner story. It helps me remember the South where I grew up. His words have the power to transport me back to that place and time.

"The past is not dead. In fact, it's not even past." This profound statement by Faulkner sums up his unique perspective on life and history.

Ralph Ellison's words, "Faulkner is the greatest artist the South has produced," are a testament to Faulkner's remarkable talent and influence. His works continue to be studied and admired around the world, and his impact on literature will be felt for generations to come.

Some stories were interesting, yet there was nothing truly special about them.

The entire collection could only be described as painfully adequate. It lacked that certain spark or unique quality that would have made it truly stand out.

While the individual stories might have had their moments, they failed to create a lasting impression.

There was a sense of mediocrity that pervaded the entire collection, leaving the reader with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

It was as if the author had played it safe, not taking any risks or pushing the boundaries of creativity.

As a result, the collection fell short of expectations and failed to reach its full potential.

Classic stories have always held a special place in our hearts. They are like precious gems that have been passed down through generations, captivating audiences of all ages.

These stories often feature timeless themes such as love, courage, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil. They transport us to different worlds, introducing us to unforgettable characters and their adventures.

Whether it's the heroic deeds of a knight in a fairy tale, the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, or the epic journey of Odysseus in Greek mythology, classic stories have the power to inspire, educate, and move us.

They teach us valuable lessons about life, human nature, and the importance of following our dreams. Moreover, they allow us to escape from the realities of our daily lives and immerse ourselves in a world of imagination and wonder.

In conclusion, classic stories are an essential part of our cultural heritage. They continue to influence and shape our literature, art, and entertainment. We should cherish and preserve these stories for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

In this book, the word "popcorn" has been translated as "hrökkgrjón" and that is good.

Popcorn is a beloved snack around the world. It is light, crispy, and has a unique flavor that many people enjoy. When it pops, it creates a fun and satisfying sound.

The translation of "popcorn" to "hrökkgrjón" seems to capture the essence of this delicious treat. It gives people in Icelandic-speaking regions a way to refer to popcorn in their own language.

Whether you're watching a movie, attending a sports event, or just relaxing at home, popcorn is a great snack to have. It's easy to make and can be customized with different seasonings and toppings to suit your taste.

Overall, the translation of "popcorn" as "hrökkgrjón" is a welcome addition to the Icelandic language, and it allows more people to enjoy this popular snack.

During the early 20th Century, William Faulkner emerged as a remarkable writer, penning some truly wonderful short stories about the South.

One of his masterpieces is A Rose for Emily, a captivating gothic story. It delves into the life of a recluse in a Southern town that is undergoing significant changes. The story is filled with mystery and intrigue, making it one of Faulkner's best works.

Barn Burning presents a complex moral dilemma. A young boy has to make a difficult choice between following his conscience and remaining loyal to his family, even though he knows that his father is an arsonist. This story explores themes of loyalty, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.

Dry September is an exquisitely written tale that shines a light on the issue of racial prejudice. Faulkner uses the language of that era regarding African-Americans, but his intention is to expose the injustice they faced.

Faulkner's repertoire also includes stories about wars and their aftermath. He wrote about the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II.

Two Soldiers is narrated by a young boy who is eager to follow his brother into the army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This story captures the spirit of patriotism and the bond between siblings.

Mountain Victory is set just after the end of the Civil War. It offers a glimpse into the lives of people during that tumultuous time.

Faulkner's short stories serve as an excellent introduction to this Southern author. Some of the characters in his short stories also make appearances in his Yoknapatawpha County novels. Most of the stories in this collection were previously published in renowned magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post, Scribners, or American Mercury, ensuring a high quality collection that is sure to delight readers.

In my undergraduate days, Faulkner and I did not get along. His writing is often extremely dense, constantly demanding nothing less than full and unwavering attention.

Some of these stories I had read previously, over 20 years ago. Back then, they didn't have the impact that they do now. Are they still as dense and demanding? Yes, they most definitely are. To be honest, I often found myself rereading paragraphs multiple times just to understand them fully.

What Faulkner does so exceptionally well is to paint a vivid and complete picture of the characters that inhabit these stories. He frequently uses different points of view within the same story (or at least delves deep into the past to extract important information), and he accomplishes all of this with remarkable ease. You get the sense that you've had a substantial and satisfying meal, rather than just a tiny morsel.

These stories serve as a gateway to a past that is mostly forgotten by many at this point. They are worth reading from a sociological perspective alone, but it is also crucial to note the craftsmanship used to assemble such complete stories within just a few pages. Do they read like modern short stories? No. But then again, most modern short stories lack the depth that is on display here. If you were to read only one, "That Evening Sun" seems like essential reading for 2020, given the current racial situation in the country.

The Modern Library edition of this work leaves much to be desired.

It's impossible to determine the exact year of its publication. At times, the reading experience can be rather tedious.

Faulkner is indeed a highly skilled storyteller, yet this particular piece feels extremely dated.

The language and style prove to be difficult in certain passages.

I suspect he was writing with a historical perspective on specific eras.

If not, then he must have been a blatant racist!

Truth be told, it was downright boring at times and failed to engage me.

However, one story, "Turnabout," seemed familiar as I recalled having seen a movie based on it.

Sure enough, after conducting some research, I discovered that it had been adapted into a movie titled "Today We Live" in 1933.

Overall, this edition didn't have a significant impact on me.

I enjoyed this less than I should’ve.

Perhaps it was the manner in which I read it, but I so often felt lost in Faulkner’s worlds.

Lost as in purposeless, as opposed to enchanted.

It seemed like I had to parse through a few too many regional dialects and jargon to connect with most of these.

Faulkner's works are renowned for their complexity and depth, but for me, they presented a significant challenge.

The convoluted language and unique narrative structures made it difficult for me to fully engage with the stories.

I found myself spending more time trying to understand the words and phrases than actually enjoying the plot and characters.

Despite this, I recognize the literary merit of Faulkner's writing and I appreciate the effort he put into creating these rich and detailed worlds.

Perhaps with more time and a deeper understanding of his style, I will be able to appreciate his works more fully in the future.

I really enjoyed this book overall.

I would’ve rated it higher if the few boring boy stories weren’t there.

For example, there were about 20 pages dedicated to hunting a buck, which I found a bit tedious.

However, most of the other stories in the book were absolutely fantastic.

The author has a great way of telling tales that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and the plots are interesting and unique.

Despite the few drawbacks, I would still recommend this book to others who enjoy reading short stories.

It’s a great collection that offers something for everyone.

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

William Faulkner first mentioned an imaginary region named "Yoknapatawpha" in his novel "Absalom, Absalom!". This fictional land, located around the Mississippi River, has an area of 2400 square miles and a population of 15611 people, with the city of Jefferson at its center. Faulkner writes that this region is named after the South, and everything in it, including all its honors, belongs to the South. Most of Faulkner's short and long works are about the lives, relationships, and experiences of the characters who live in this region in the central South of the United States. It is a region where the native Indians, the black people, the cruel landowners, and many other ethnic groups and people live, and it is a sample of the contemporary America of Faulkner. Many writers after Faulkner showed interest in this beautiful portrayal and established an imaginary city or region for themselves, where some of their works take place, and they present the characters and the characteristics of their city and land as they imagine in their works. "Macondo" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is one of these imaginary city-lands. Similarly, "Bombay" by Salman Rushdie, and "Reykjavik" by Arnaldur Indriðason.

Though Faulkner writes about Mississippi and Yoknapatawpha, his own imaginary territory of 2400 square miles with 15611 inhabitants, centered by Jefferson city, I always see every single part of the world in his novels. The characters in his works are suffering from the situation imposed by both visible and invisible powers. However, they keep going on with life as they have no other possibilities. Faulkner's works are not only about a specific region in America but also about the universal human condition. They explore themes such as love, hate, family, race, and class, which are relevant to people all over the world. His writing style is complex and challenging, but it also rewards the reader with a deep understanding of the human psyche and the world we live in.