Absolutely stunning and one of my favorite of Faulkner's works.

Though it is the middle of a trilogy, this book expands and complicates and darkens the story originated in The Hamlet as the best middle chapters of any trilogies do. It is also one of the more accessible reads of Faulkner's.

It contains only three narrators: Chick Mallison, a boy who contains the bulk of the narrative and whose internal monologue complicates itself over time in the book until it reaches maturity by the end. Gavin Stevens, one of Faulkner's most profoundly moving and deep creations, a mind as sharp and touching as Quentin Compson in The Sound and The Fury. And V. K. Ratliff, the quintessential Southern man it appears to Faulkner, not book wise but street wise in a way that Gavin never will be.

Gavin is the heart of the book and I won't spoil why here. Ultimately, he is the essence of Southern courtly gentility, a perfect foil for the avarice, selfishness, guile, and corruption of Flem Snopes, Faulkner's best antagonistic creation. The meat of the book is clearly Faulkner's examination of the corruption of Southern ideals by the modernization of the business model, oligarchy, favoritism, corruption, and exclusion. Gavin, Ratliff, and even Chick by the end oppose it gallantly.

Exceptionally strong novel by an exceptionally strong writer, and that is saying something. This novel truly showcases Faulkner's remarkable talent for creating complex characters and exploring profound themes. It is a must-read for any fan of literature.

Probably Faulkner's most underappreciated novel, it is highly experimental. However, it has not been acknowledged as such. Faulkner was a master of innovation in literature, constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling. This particular novel showcases his boldness and creativity. It employs unique narrative techniques, such as nonlinear timelines and multiple perspectives. These experimental elements add depth and complexity to the story, making it a truly engaging read. Despite its merits, the novel has unfortunately not received the recognition it deserves. Perhaps it was ahead of its time, or maybe it was overshadowed by Faulkner's more famous works. Nevertheless, it remains a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by discerning readers.

I truly have a deep and abiding love for the Snopes trilogy. In this middle "chapter," Faulkner's greatest characters come to life with such vividness that it's truly remarkable.

We have Wallstreet Panic, a character who adds an element of mystery and intrigue. Montgomery Ward, another figure who brings his own unique charm to the story. And then there's Eula Varner and her daughter, Linda, their relationship adding a layer of complexity and emotion.

Of course, we can't forget Flem, the very reason there is a Snopes trilogy. His actions and motives drive the narrative forward in the most fascinating way.

It's Faulkner's story-telling at its absolute finest. He manages to explain the virtues of baseball relative to football in just a single page, a feat that showcases his literary genius.

This is a wonderful book to read to start 2021, as it will transport you into a world of rich characters and engaging storylines that will leave you captivated from beginning to end.

Faulkner's trilogy takes an interesting turn in the second installment, The Town.

It expands the scope from the small town of Frenchman's Bend to the larger Jefferson. The historical backdrop shifts from the post-Civil War era of The Hamlet to World War I.

Despite this change in time and place, many of the themes from the first book persist.

The core conflict in the novel is between the old southern aristocracy represented by Will Varner and the new, acquisitive, and amoral Snopes family. The Jefferson townspeople find themselves caught in the middle of this power struggle.

What makes The Town unique is its narrative style. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character. This can be initially confusing for the reader, especially in the first few chapters when trying to establish family relationships.

The shift between rural, intellectual, and juvenile personas can also be rather jarring.

However, on the other hand, these changing perspectives offer different insights into the characters and events of the story.

This allows the reader to see the story from multiple angles and adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, The Town is an enjoyable, intriguing, and ultimately tragic read that showcases Faulkner's masterful storytelling.

I reaaaaaally had a hard time sloughing through this family saga.

It is the second book that focuses on the Snopes family in rural Mississippi.

This is not necessarily a reflection of Faulkner's writing abilities. Although the book was both dry and tedious, it was rather my inability to connect with the story or maintain a lasting interest in the copious number of characters.

The Snopes family's tale seems to unfold in a rather slow and uneventful manner. The characters, with their numerous and complex relationships, are difficult to keep track of.

I found myself constantly losing focus and having to reread passages to understand what was going on.

Perhaps if I had a better understanding of the rural Mississippi setting or the cultural context in which the story takes place, I would have been more engaged.

However, as it stands, this family saga has been a bit of a struggle for me to get through.

The town is the second book in a trilogy written by Faulkner on the Snopes family. The first and second books were written almost 25 years apart. It is highly recommended that you read the first in the series, The Hamlet, first.

In this book, Faulkner brings the infamous Flem Snopes from Frenchmen's Bend to the city of Jefferson and traces his ascent up the social ladder from superintendent to president of the local bank. The story is told through the eyes of three characters, ranging in age from a child to an older adult. The story centers around the thwarted lover of Eula Snopes, Gavin Stevens, who attempts to free Eula's daughter from the shadow of the Snopes name.

As always, Faulkner finds ways to make the storytelling engaging. He does this by having the tale told by two "observers" and one participant. The youngest, Charles Mallison, relates what he sees and what he hears happened before he was born, as told to him by his cousin Gowan. He is tasked with speaking for the town, and his perspective is objective and untainted by personal feelings. Gavin Stevens and V.K. Ratliff, on the other hand, speak only from their personal perspectives. Faulkner takes the opportunity to use their different points of view to leave open a debate about what motivates Flem. As always, we never get inside Flem's head and can only speculate, like Stevens and Ratliff, on why he does what he does.

What we do see is Flem ridding the town of the baser elements of his own family while attempting to raise his own moral and social standing. He uses and destroys everyone around him to get what he wants. In the end, he is all alone.

Critical consensus seems to hold that The Hamlet is the best of the three Snopes novels.

However, this second book is equally good, and I personally enjoyed it even more than The Hamlet on my first read. The illusory and suspicious motives of the characters, some new and some previously introduced, were compelling. Obviously and most notably, Flem Snopes stood out. The tragedy of Eula Varner Snopes was heartbreaking, and the examination and critique of the town's Christian hypocrisy relating to her and other sinful characters were cutting and astute. This is one of those stories where you can understand why Faulkner made a few enemies in his hometown on which Jefferson is based.

Ratliff remains one of my favorite Faulkner characters, and his continued role as one of several narrators in this novel is a joy. Faulkner's forte of using child narrators, here in Chick Mallison, is always noteworthy as well for how accurately he captures the point of view. The narration throughout is really strong, and I enjoy the style.

There is a passage in chapter 20, wherein Gavin Stevens describes mounting a ridge outside of town, from which one can overlook the entire county. It is among the most beautiful pieces of prose I've read in all of Faulkner's work. I had to reread it three times and was just utterly blown away by it. This is an amazing novel through and through.

The story of Flem's remarkable rise is truly captivating. He goes from living in a tent to inhabiting a house, and from being a restaurant owner to a bank vice president. Meanwhile, the background plots, such as Eula's (now married to Flem) 18-year affair with Manfred de Spain, quietly simmer beneath the surface until Flem "cashes in his 20-dollar gold piece."

The narrative voices of Ratliff, Gavin Stevens (referred to as Lawyer), and Charles or Chick, the kid, all play important roles. They help the various parts of the plot overlap and clarify as they retell the story. The extended metaphor of the nail in the oak tree that remains hidden for years until a saw discovers it, as seen in the conversation between Ratliff and Stevens over the 18-year span of the book, is simply brilliant. I could reread these passages weekly with admiration.

Ratliff's effort to speak "correctly" for Chick, who is just as adept as his elders at switching registers when talking about country versus city, is truly touching. However, the tripling of phrases and verbs can sometimes become a bit annoying. Nevertheless, I absolutely love this book. It is a bit more readable and followable than "The Hamlet." Flem manages to get rid of I.O. Snopes, Byron, and Eck, but Mink still lingers at Parchman Farm Prison, adding an element of mystery and uncertainty to the story.

Faulkner allows the insidious Snopes roots to firmly take hold within an actual town.

Here, we witness America experiencing rapid growth with the arrival of the car, the expansion of banking, and a somewhat more overbearing law enforcement and judiciary system, among other things.

This book appears to be less adventurous in terms of style and structure when compared to The Hamlet. However, it holds together in a more cohesive manner and truly immerses the reader in the specific time and place.

The intricate machinations of Flem Snopes are absolutely fascinating. It seems that no one is safe from his ambition or compulsion, nor are they clever enough to match it.

The story unfolds with a sense of inevitability as Flem's actions have far-reaching consequences for the entire town and its inhabitants.

Faulkner's vivid descriptions and masterful storytelling bring this world to life, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

The Town is nearly perfect when judged as a section of Snopes. However, when considered as a stand-alone novel, it is merely great.

Faulkner's employment of three disparate narrators presents numerous opportunities for clever and inventive prose. This technique enriches the story and offers different perspectives, adding depth and complexity.

Nevertheless, to fully appreciate the grandeur of the author's vision, Snopes must be read in its entirety. That is, The Hamlet, The Town, and The Mansion, in that specific order. Reading the entire trilogy allows the reader to grasp the full scope of Faulkner's masterful storytelling and the intricate web of characters and relationships he has created.

Each installment builds upon the others, revealing new layers and details that enhance the overall reading experience. It is only through this comprehensive reading that one can truly understand and admire the genius of Faulkner's Snopes trilogy.

I read this rather slowly. However, I believe it was more of a matter of timing rather than a judgment on the book. Even though it initially meant that I had difficulties getting absorbed. Anyway, I'm a die-hard fan, so I'm biased here. I simply adore Faulkner for his remarkable ability to fully immerse me in a world that seems both far-flung and surreal while still being completely American. That sense of immersion, along with the core themes of hypocrisy, social tension, and decay, is what continuously draws me back to his body of work. I'm also particularly fond of the Snopes/Sartoris universe and the intersection between Southern Gothic and small town soap opera. I give it a 4/5 because, as another reviewer mentioned - if I were to give this a 5, where would that leave novels like S&F and AILD?

This review reflects my personal experience and appreciation for Faulkner's writing. Despite the initial struggle to engage, the overall impact and depth of his work are undeniable. The unique combination of elements in his stories keeps me captivated and eager to explore more of his literary creations.

I would have given it 2 stars.

However, I know that it is supposed to be good and brilliant, so I gave it three.

I must admit that I found it crappy and hard to read.

The text seemed disjointed and lacked a clear flow.

The language was not engaging, and it failed to capture my interest.

Perhaps with some improvements in organization and writing style, it could have been a more enjoyable read.

Nevertheless, based on my initial impression, I can't say that I was overly impressed.

It had potential, but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Maybe others will have a different experience, but for me, it was just an average piece of work.

I hope that the author takes these comments into consideration and makes the necessary changes to enhance the quality of the text.