The Bear is an outstanding work that serves as a remarkable introduction to Faulkner's southern characters and his unique writing style.

In this story, Faulkner vividly portrays the complex and diverse personalities of the southern people. The characters are richly developed, with their own flaws, desires, and struggles. Through their actions and dialogues, we gain a deep understanding of the southern culture and its values.

Faulkner's writing style is also on full display in The Bear. His prose is dense, poetic, and filled with vivid imagery. He uses long, winding sentences and a rich vocabulary to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The story unfolds slowly, building tension and suspense as we follow the characters on their journey.

Overall, The Bear is a must-read for anyone interested in Faulkner's work or in southern literature in general. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of the southern characters and the unique writing style that made Faulkner one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.

This was, without a doubt, not an easy read. Faulkner demands your full and undivided attention. However, I was either unable or unwilling to give that this month. The first two stories had their merits and were worth the read, but at times, they felt like a slog.

"The Bear" is widely recognized as a work of genius. The extended middle section was a challenge to get through, yet the thematic material it contains is incredibly rich. It makes you think deeply about various aspects of life, nature, and human nature.

I truly hope that in a few years' time, when I have more focus and wisdom, I will be able to revisit "The Bear" and capture all of its profound insights. Maybe then, I will be able to fully appreciate the genius of Faulkner's work and understand the deeper meanings hidden within the story.

For now, I will have to content myself with the partial understanding I have gained and look forward to the day when I can return to this masterpiece with a more open and receptive mind.

I will attempt to be kind in this review. However, this might potentially be the worst book I have ever read, whether considered as a whole or each story individually. I obtained this from the library because "The Bear" was on a recommended reading list that I came across online. In fact, that was the worst of the three stories for me. Let me put it this way: if my life hinged upon my ability to clearly articulate a simple plot summary about The Bear, I would surely perish. With each turn of a page, my comprehension steadily dropped. I frequently had no clue as to what was happening throughout the stories. I had never read William Faulkner before. Are all of his works like this? I thought Shakespeare was difficult to understand in terms of language, style, etc. But this....this...

My greatest regret is the hours of my life that I spent reading this book and will never be able to retrieve. It's truly a pity that such a significant amount of time was wasted on a reading experience that provided so little comprehension and enjoyment.

First, the description on Goodreads is truly misleading and holds no real value. What's worse, it is an exact copy of the Amazon description.

Second, I highly suggest that you obtain a print copy, turn to the Editor's Note at the back, read it carefully, and then decide whether you want to take on this book.

"Spotted Horses" is rather good. It is excerpted from "The Hamlet", and certain sections bear a resemblance to "As I Lay Dying". Faulkner is outstanding in vividly and thrillingly describing horses and humans struggling in water, as well as portraying the irony of unintended consequences and the injustices inflicted by one group of humans on another.

"Old Man" is a combination of two stories, and it shows. Its beginning and end, when put together, form a good story. However, the vast middle is far too long. The main character's odyssey could have been told in significantly fewer words and without the page-long sentences that are impossible to diagram. After a while, I simply gave up and skimmed through.

"The Bear" is also composed of two stories. One is about a boy coming of age and learning life's truths while participating in a hunt for a monstrous killer bear. The other is an "Old Man"-like ramble into the complicated history of the boy's slave-owning plantation family, the sacredness of the land with references to the Bible, Native Americans, and the Civil War.

My rating is 5 stars for "Spotted Horses" and 2 stars for the other two stories, resulting in a net rating of 3 stars.