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William Faulkner: Novels 1957–1962

william faulkner noel polk

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William Faulkner's fictional chronicle of Yoknapatawpha County culminates in his three last novels, rich with the accumulated history and lore of the microcosmic domain where he set most of his novels and stories. Faulkner wanted to use the time remaining to him to achieve a summing-up of his fictional world.. "The Town (1957) is the second novel in the Snopes trilogy that began with The Hamlet. Here the rise of the rapacious Flem Snopes and his extravagantly extended family, as they connive their way into power in the county seat of Jefferson is filtered through three separate narrative voices. Faulkner was particularly proud of the two women characters - the doomed Eula and her daughter Linda - who stand at the novel's center.. "Flem's relentless drive toward wealth and control plays itself out in The Mansion (1959), in which a wronged relative, the downtrodden sharecropper Mink Snopes, succeeds in avenging himself and bringing down the corrupt Snopes dynasty.. "His last novel, The Reivers: A Reminiscence (1962), is distinctly mellower and more elegiac than his earlier work. A picaresque adventure set early in the twentieth century and involving a Memphis brothel, a racehorse, and a stolen automobile, it evokes the world of childhood with a final burst of comic energy.

1020 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1999

This edition

Format
1020 pages, Hardcover
Published
January 1, 1999 by Library of America
ISBN
9781883011697
ASIN
1883011698
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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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 10 votes)
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10 reviews All reviews
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NotTrying2BLazy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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7/25/2021: The Town

The town on this particular day of 7/25/2021 was a hive of activity.

People were going about their daily lives, some hurrying to work, while others were strolling along the streets, enjoying the warm weather.

The local shops were open, with their colorful displays attracting customers.

The town square was bustling with people chatting, laughing, and enjoying the company of friends and family.

The children were playing games, their laughter filling the air.

The town had a unique charm, with its old buildings and narrow streets.

It was a place where time seemed to stand still, and people could relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Despite the hustle and bustle, there was a sense of community in the town, and everyone seemed to know each other.

As the day wore on, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the town.

The lights in the shops and homes started to come on, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

7/25/2021 was just another ordinary day in the town, but it was a day that was filled with life, love, and laughter.

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MiloWibs
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The Reviers was easily my favorite.

It was a place that held a special charm for me. The moment I stepped into it, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The architecture was unique, with its old-world charm and modern touches. The rooms were spacious and beautifully decorated, making me feel right at home.

The staff at The Reviers were extremely friendly and helpful. They went out of their way to ensure that my stay was comfortable and enjoyable. Whether it was providing recommendations for local attractions or simply chatting with me over a cup of coffee, they made me feel like a valued guest.

The location of The Reviers was also a major plus. It was situated in a quiet and peaceful area, yet still close enough to all the major attractions. I was able to explore the city easily and come back to the tranquility of The Reviers at the end of a long day.

In conclusion, The Reviers was more than just a place to stay. It was an experience that I will never forget. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and enjoyable stay.
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Dannylo_O17
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The last three novels of Faulkner are combined in one volume.

For the most part, there is no distinct Faulknerian modernism here. Instead, what we have are simply great characters and captivating stories.

However, when chronicling individuals like Flem Snopes, Faulkner indeed has a penchant for layering on the parenthetical statements.

There is also great humor that pervades throughout these works.

The Reivers, in particular, is highly amusing. It is a rollicking adventure filled with crazy characters and wacky situations.

The line "Eleven years old and already knife-cut in a whore house brawl" just about sums up the essence of the hilarity and chaos that ensues.

Overall, this collection offers a different side of Faulkner's writing, one that showcases his ability to create engaging characters and tell entertaining stories without relying solely on his trademark modernist techniques.
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Ketupatoriginal
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Las tres novelas que integran el tomo final de la colección publicada por la Librería de América me resultaron un tanto aburridas.

Evidentemente, el \n  William FAULKNER\n que escribió The Town, The Mansion y The Reivers es un escritor agotado, desgastado.

Por una parte, eso hace que estas novelas sean mucho más accesibles que sus trabajos previos, pero quizá eso es lo que me hizo falta al leerlas: la complejidad, el reto.

No obstante, esto no disminuye que FAULKNER es un narrador brillante. Y particularmente en las primeras dos novelas incluso hay una vena cómica que no tenía antes.

The Town y The Mansion concluyen la trilogía de la extravagante familia SNOPES. Mientras que The Reivers narra una aventura de enredos que me recordó mucho a las películas del Hollywood de mediados del siglo pasado.

En general, aunque no sean sus obras más destacadas, estas novelas todavía tienen algo de interés y muestran una faceta diferente del gran escritor que es William Faulkner.
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NMP_Chan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The Town and The Mansion are truly outstanding works that offer an incredibly rich and engaging literary experience, especially when read in conjunction with The Hamlet. These novels are masterpieces that showcase Faulkner's unique writing style and profound understanding of human nature.

However, The Reivers stands in stark contrast as a rather disappointing conclusion to Faulkner's otherwise remarkable career. It lacks the depth and complexity that we have come to expect from this great author.

Perhaps it was a result of various factors, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to the high standards set by his previous works. Despite this, Faulkner's overall body of work remains highly regarded and continues to be studied and admired by readers and scholars alike.

We can only hope that future generations will continue to discover and appreciate the genius of William Faulkner, even if some of his later works may not have achieved the same level of excellence.
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AlmasHD
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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See my reviews of the individual novels contained in this volume.

Each novel within this collection offers a unique and captivating reading experience.

The stories are diverse in their themes, settings, and characters, yet they all share a common thread of engaging the reader's imagination.

Some of the novels explore deep emotional themes, while others are filled with action and adventure.

The authors have skillfully crafted their narratives, creating vivid worlds and characters that come to life on the page.

Whether you are a fan of mystery, romance, or science fiction, there is sure to be a novel in this volume that will appeal to you.

So, take the time to read my reviews and discover the wonderful world of literature contained within this volume.
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LtBarf
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This is a review specifically of the LoA edition, not of the novels themselves.

As is the case with all LoA Faulkner volumes, the Notes are disappointingly sparse, somewhat arbitrary, and generally not very helpful. Consider just two of the countless examples: "Four F" - the military (un)fitness classification - is annotated, while "Murat" is not. It's rather puzzling.

We are also given a transcription of the typescript for the first published edition of *The Mansion*, rather than Faulkner's own corrected edition, which was published posthumously in 1964. This corrected edition was meant to reconcile contradictions and discrepancies with regard to the earlier Snopes novels. So, is the first thought the best thought, triumphing over the final version? It's astonishing that literary textual criticism as it is currently practiced has not caught up with the musicological editorial practices of several generations ago.

One would expect more from a respected publisher like the Library of America. The lack of comprehensive and useful notes, as well as the choice of the wrong edition to transcribe, seem like missed opportunities to provide a more in-depth and accurate understanding of Faulkner's works.

Perhaps future editions will address these issues and offer a more satisfying reading experience for Faulkner enthusiasts and scholars alike.
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El-Random
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Much more accessible than his most famous works, this particular piece means it's almost like ordinary reading. The notorious difficulty that was once associated with it is now gone. However, along with the ease of access, the thrilling Faulknerian magic has also disappeared. These are indeed great narratives and very good books in general. Any lesser writer would do almost anything to be able to write them. But they simply do not reach the same level of greatness as The Sound and the Fury or Absalom, Absalom!.


The absence of the characteristic complexity and the unique charm that made Faulkner's other masterpieces so renowned is a notable aspect. While these works may still have their own merits and qualities, they lack that certain something that elevates them to the same stratospheric heights. It's as if a crucial ingredient has been removed from the recipe, leaving behind a dish that is still palatable but not quite as extraordinary as it could have been.


Nevertheless, they are still worthy of recognition and appreciation for the skill and talent that went into their creation. They offer a different perspective on Faulkner's writing, one that is more approachable for a wider audience. But for those who have experienced the true genius of The Sound and the Fury and Absalom, Absalom!, these other works will always be in a slightly different category.

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