I must admit that I didn't read section 4 of The Bear. However, I did manage to go through everything else.

The experience was quite interesting. The other sections provided a wealth of information and engaging stories.

I found myself immersed in the world created by the author.

Although I skipped section 4, I still feel that I gained a good understanding of the overall narrative.

Maybe one day I will go back and read that particular section to see if it adds anything new to my perception of the book.

For now, I am content with what I have read and look forward to exploring more works by the same author.

Overall, it was a worthwhile reading experience, even without that one section.

I would rate it 2.75 out of 5.

My god,

what an interminable prolix this is! Even for the North American (high) standards of literary MELODRAMA, it is unbearably, frightfully, monstrously over the top. It seems to go on and on without end, leaving the reader feeling exhausted and perhaps a bit exasperated. Goodness, William!

Why don't you go for a walk? Take a break from this never-ending stream of words. Maybe go trout fishing. Do anything that will get you away from that goddam typewriter! ; )

Sometimes, it's important to step back and look at what we're creating. Are we going overboard? Are we losing the essence of what we're trying to say in a sea of excessive verbiage? It's a question that William should probably ask himself before he continues pounding away on that typewriter.

I don't know that any of these novels are famous, at least not anymore. However, Faulkner certainly is, and there are good reasons for it.

He is difficult to read, indeed. His works are all about stream-of-consciousness and post-modernism, with sentences interrupting each other. A novel by him can be like two novels (or short stories?) such as "The Bear" and a lot of other craziness. But it is always worth it, and you will always miss it when you are done.

Here, Faulkner ties in several of his long-connected characters and families like the Sartorises, Beauchamps, and more. He takes them on the usual Southern gothic, messy, racist, paterfamilial romps, often without the usual accepted grammar and narrative flow (repeat much?).

Faulkner has some great quotes and thoughts about the South. He shows how the white people of the region (northern Mississippi in particular) doomed themselves with slavery and other stupidities. Though nothing quite measures up to slavery in that regard, except the racism that came with it, after it, and still today, it seems.

You know, rather than write them all out here, just go to pages 247, 250, 267, 277, and 282. It's worth it.

He's one of those writers who just had to write. Maybe he loved it, maybe he hated it, but he had to do it. And the more words and sentences, the better. Maybe you could tell what was going on in the actual "story" such as it is/was, but that's not really what he cares about. It's the words, the words, the words - an avalanche of words and the South and fathers and racism too, but mostly all those words. (This is kinda sorta how he writes.)

Anyway, this should not be the first Faulkner you read; that should be "As I Lay Dying."

**"My Experience with William Faulkner's Novellas"**

Disastrous!

I came across a collection of stories by the renowned William Faulkner, which included three of his most iconic novellas, or so I read somewhere. It was just another one of those little books gathering dust in the family's bookcase.

Oh boy, did I hate this with all my heart! Faulkner may be one of the most acclaimed and accomplished classical authors of all time, but man, he's insufferable as hell! His writing style is one of the hardest I've ever encountered. It's absurdly florid, impossibly contrived, and most of it seems highly inconsequential at best. There's also an astounding number of indiscernible characters. He apparently has a thing against using full stops, as his sentences can sometimes stretch over a full page, filled with dozens of commas, semicolons, parentheses, and every other punctuation imaginable except a freaking dot! I really tried to concentrate at the beginning of each story, but after a few pages, I just couldn't take it anymore and started skimming like a bandit. What's more, he uses the N word way too often. While it may be relevant to the era in which the stories were written, it's still more than enough to be considerably grating after a while, and easily noticeable even when skimming like crazy.

Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh.

\\n  The Meh\\n:
★★☆☆☆ “The Bear.” Lion <\\\\3
★★☆☆☆ “Old Man.” [1.5]
★☆☆☆☆ “Spotted Horses.”

If you already know and enjoy Faulkner, I guess “The Bear” and “Old Man” might be good. The general plot of these stories was decent enough, but I just couldn't stomach the guy. There's even a movie for “Old Man” (1997) that I might watch someday, once I can forget this god-awful aftertaste.

After this outstandingly horrible experience, I'd normally say I'd never EVER read Faulkner again in my life, but I'd be lying. I already have his “As I Lay Dying” book, which I also “borrowed” from my parents' bookcase. And of course, it would be far simpler to just surreptitiously return the book unread, but darn it, I can't help it. I'm too curious. I'm too dedicated. I'm too STUPID.

-----------------------------------------------
\\n  PERSONAL NOTE\\n:
[1958] [320p] [Collection] [1.5] [HIGHLY Not Recommendable]
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★★★☆☆ A Rose for Emily [2.5]
★☆☆☆☆ Three Famous Short Novels: Spotted Horses / Old Man / The Bear [1.5]

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I truly relished "Spotted Horses" and "Old Man". In fact, if this book consisted solely of these two stories, I would unhesitatingly award it five stars.

During my senior year in high school, Stew Snow assigned "The Bear" to his students due to its coming-of-age theme. However, I failed to understand it at that time. I preserved the book, with the thought that one day I would revisit and reread it. But thirty-five years later, it has once again bested me.

"The Bear" gives me the impression that Faulkner was flaunting his skills, penning it for fellow intellectuals rather than for the average, casual reader.

Owing to the great difficulty of "The Bear", I rate this collection two stars. "The Bear" is readable until the slave register is opened. From that moment on, comprehending the history - which I do admit is significant - demands either sketching character relationships on a whiteboard or having a Faulkner scholar in close proximity.

A note regarding "Old Man": This piece has been surgically extracted from Faulkner's novel "The Wild Palms". In that novel, it is intertwined with another story. Faulkner had artistic justifications for doing so. Reading "The Wild Palms" in its entirety is essential for interpreting the tall convict's closing remark.

The Bear is a work that definitely requires re-reading for a more proper and fuller understanding, especially with the onset of Part 4.

The first section contained some truly beautiful writing in that classic drawn out Faulkner style. After reading Sanctuary, I really missed this style. However, the way the plot unfolded seemed rather disorganized and clunky to me.

I think a more simplified story that ended with the events of part 3 would have made a more cohesive story. But perhaps I may have to read the Go Down Moses version to get a fuller grasp of the overall narrative.

All in all, The Bear is very beautifully written. The language and descriptions used by Faulkner are truly captivating, even if the plot structure has its flaws. It makes me eager to explore more of his works and see how he develops his ideas and stories in different ways.

Three Famous Short Novels by William Faulkner did not disappoint me at all. "Old Man" had such a profound impact that it brought tears to my eyes. The story was so moving and filled with emotions that it truly touched my heart.

And then there was "The Bear". It was like turning on a faucet of emotions (if that makes any sense). The power and intensity of the narrative just overwhelmed me. Faulkner's writing is so masterful that he is able to draw the reader in and make them experience a whole range of feelings.

Overall, I have to say that Faulkner has not let me down yet. His short novels are a testament to his genius as a writer. Each one is a unique and unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression. I can't wait to explore more of his works and see what other literary treasures he has in store for me.

He cursed in a harsh, steady, and unrepetitive stream. His ire was not directed at the living men who had placed him in his current situation. Instead, it was aimed at what he didn't even know were pen names. He didn't even realize that they were not actual men but merely the designations of shades who had written about shades.

The first story, "Spotted Horses," should be skipped. It was neither bad nor good, completely unremarkable.

"Old Man" was my favorite of the three. In this tale of an escaped prisoner's trek across a flooded Mississippi, Faulkner employs his gift for description without getting too carried away.

"The Bear," one of Faulkner's more famous short works, deals with the fading wilderness, masculinity, and the sins of the South. It has some fantastic parts, and it's worth a read. However, swaths of it struck me as overlong, grandiose, and unclear to no apparent purpose. In these musings, he uses the word'myriad' several hundred times too many, and also 'immemorial'.

Faulkner's writing is often complex and rich, but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. Despite this, his works continue to be studied and admired for their depth and beauty.

Another lovely look into Faulkner's fictional Mississippi county.

These stories offer us a small glimpse into the characters mentioned in As I Lay Dying and the Snopes Trilogy.

Faulkner's vivid and detailed descriptions bring these characters to life, allowing us to explore their complex personalities and the unique world they inhabit.

The fictional Mississippi county serves as a backdrop for these tales, filled with rich history, traditions, and the struggles of its inhabitants.

We get to see how the characters interact with each other, face challenges, and make choices that shape their lives.

It is truly a captivating exploration of Faulkner's literary universe, one that leaves us eager to discover more about these fascinating characters and their stories.

In my personal view, Faulkner's short stories or novels don't always fully showcase his greatest talents. However, works like "Spotted Horses" offer a fascinating peek into the lives of the Snopes family. This story delves deep into their complex relationships, desires, and the various circumstances that shape their lives. Similarly, "The Bear" provides a detailed exploration of the McCaslins. It reveals their family history, values, and the challenges they face. These works not only add to our understanding of the specific families but also contribute to a broader understanding of Faulkner's overall design. They show his ability to create rich and vivid characters, develop intricate plots, and explore profound themes. Through these stories, we can gain a better appreciation of Faulkner's literary genius and the depth of his works.

The first 40% of The Bear is truly outstanding. It grabs your attention and keeps you hooked. However, unless you're a die-hard Faulkner completist, the rest of the book might not be all that essential.

Spotted Horses - I had the impression that this horse auction was supposed to be comical, but unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I can only give it 2 stars.

Old Man - This is a very uneven tale about a prison escapee and a pregnant woman. Some parts were interesting and engaging, while others just seemed to ramble on without going anywhere. Overall, I'd rate it 3 stars.

The Bear - I've read approximately 3500 pages of Faulkner, and I can't say that much of it struck me as particularly suspenseful. However, the first 55 pages or so of The Bear were just that. We are introduced to a boy and a nearly unkillable bear, and we get to witness several years' worth of hunts in the Mississippi woods. It was really good stuff! But after that, the rambling returns. Just imagine Absalom, Absalom misfiring, and you'll get the idea. I'd give this one 3.5 stars.

I truly loved "As I Lay Dying." However, alas, these short stories did not have the same captivating effect on me. It was extremely difficult to get through this book, almost as if I was trudging through the same waters as the "Old Man." I do appreciate Faulkner's remarkable skill. I firmly believe that one day, with more life experience under my belt, I will be able to appreciate the stories in this volume to a greater extent.

I attempted to read this book for pleasure, but these stories demand a mind that is ready to internally react to the action and characters. In short, one needs to be prepared to actively participate in the reading process. That unique ability of Faulkner's writing is something that I both love and deeply admire. In his other novels, one reaches profound conclusions and experiences the characters in a way that is unlike any other author I have ever read. If I had given this literary device the proper attention during my read-through, I am certain that I would have had a similar experience here as well.

As I stated earlier, I simply was not up for that kind of intense mental exercise at the time. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly encourage any young writer to read through these stories. My rating is merely my personal opinion regarding reading enjoyment. Just because it wasn't fun for me doesn't mean that these stories don't have a wealth of knowledge and lessons to teach.