Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 22 votes)
5 stars
9(41%)
4 stars
5(23%)
3 stars
8(36%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
22 reviews
July 14,2025
... Show More
Maybe Faulkner should have stuck to short stories.

His novels, while often lauded for their complexity and depth, can be a bit of a slog to get through. The convoluted plots and the dense prose can make it difficult for the average reader to follow.

Short stories, on the other hand, allow Faulkner to showcase his talent for vivid characterizations and powerful storytelling in a more concise and accessible format.

With a short story, he can get to the heart of the matter quickly and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Perhaps if he had focused more on short stories, Faulkner would have reached an even wider audience and been even more highly regarded as a writer.

Of course, this is just speculation, but it's an interesting thought to consider.
July 14,2025
... Show More
At halfway. Faulkner is just too much, especially at this time of the year!

The scorching sun beats down mercilessly, making the journey seem even longer and more arduous. The road ahead stretches on, seemingly endless, and Faulkner's presence looms large. His works, with their complex characters and convoluted plots, are like a heavy burden on the mind. As I walk along this path, I can't help but think about how his writing has influenced and challenged me. It's both fascinating and overwhelming. But perhaps that's the beauty of it. Despite the difficulties, I'm determined to continue this journey, to explore the depths of Faulkner's world and see where it takes me. Maybe by the end, I'll have a better understanding of his genius and a newfound appreciation for his art.
July 14,2025
... Show More

Half of the texts were published through magazines but not collected in a volume, and the other half were not published at all. The anthology is recommended especially for those who admire/appreciate Faulkner. For me, the most interesting ones were the notes at the end, which provide details about the history of the unpublished stories and sometimes even the reasons for the refusals used by editors. By the way, the unpublished texts sometimes reach the same qualitative level (and even exceed it in some cases) as those accepted by editors.



Faulkner's works are a treasure trove of literary excellence. This anthology offers a unique opportunity to explore not only the published gems but also the lesser-known or unpublished pieces. The notes at the end add an extra layer of depth and context, allowing readers to gain a better understanding of the创作过程 and the challenges faced by Faulkner in getting his works published.



Whether you are a die-hard Faulkner fan or a newcomer to his literature, this anthology is sure to captivate and inspire. It showcases the breadth and depth of his talent and reminds us of the importance of preserving and sharing literary works, regardless of their initial publication status.

July 14,2025
... Show More
The first reference I remember having of Faulkner is, obviously, the devotion felt for him in "A Rose for Emily". As a result of this, curiosity led me to buy this book more than twenty years ago. I started reading it but got bored and abandoned it until last year when I recommenced it and finally finished it now.


I can't say that I liked it. I recognize that some of the stories are frankly good but, in general, the style seems heavy and boring to me; Faulkner takes too many words to say nothing.


On the other hand, although his literature very well reflects what the South of the United States must have been like, the mentality of its inhabitants and their pride in their secessionist past, it is very disconcerting and uncomfortable to read it in the words of someone who, without a doubt, was on the good side of the situation.


Faulkner narrates with pride and nostalgia the experiences and memories of those who enjoyed wealth as a result of the work of the slaves they owned. Even when the characters are "white trash", they are seen from the prism of an upper-class white person. At no time is depth given to a black character, at no time is it considered what it means to be a slave, to belong to another person, to be able to be sold and separated from loved ones, what it means to be a property... Nor does any of the white characters ever consider the morality of that possession, rather the opposite: owning humans is seen as an obligation, a responsibility.


The reading of these points of view is all the more uncomfortable because the tone of the author gives the impression that that was also his point of view, what he considered correct (I recognize that I haven't investigated the life of the author to know if I'm wrong).


In summary: a long and heavy book that tells little more than longing for and justifying a past of classism and slavery that one guesses was something to remember with pride for the author.
July 14,2025
... Show More

Another outstanding collection of Faulkner's short work has emerged. The short versions of his work that were ultimately reused in his novels are truly remarkable and alone are worth the price of admission. These snippets offer a unique glimpse into the evolution of his ideas and the development of his fictional universes.

Moreover, the sections of uncollected and unpublished stories are like the icing on the cake. They add an extra layer of richness and depth to the collection, providing readers with new and exciting material to explore.

Faulkner's short stories are known for their complex characters, intricate plots, and masterful use of language. This collection is no exception, and it is sure to delight both longtime fans and new readers alike. Whether you are interested in his early works or his later masterpieces, this collection has something for everyone.

Overall, this is a must-have collection for anyone who loves great literature. It showcases Faulkner's talent as a short story writer and provides a fascinating look into his creative process. Highly recommended!

July 14,2025
... Show More
Even in this collection of stories - many of which were never published, or were left out of collections (hence the strange title) or were massively revised and appeared as long sections of novels - even here, Faulkner's genius shines brightly.

The way he constructs a story is truly remarkable. The rhythms of his lines flow like a river, carrying the reader along. The structure of his paragraphs is complex yet seamless, adding depth and dimension to the narrative. His characters are vivid and alive, their stories engaging and thought-provoking. His pacing is masterful, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Now, to be sure, a lot of people don't like Faulkner. They find his stories plodding, his style infuriating, and his structure unintelligible. And for them, I have some advice: you do not read Faulkner like you read other writers. Reading his work is like watching an action that is taking place through the trees, in your neighbor's yard. The trees sway a little in the breeze, and you see more of the story. They sway back, and something new is revealed. But you never see the whole story right out in front of you. Some people find this annoying, and that's fine. For me, though, it creates works that I don't feel I've read; it creates works that I feel I've lived.
July 14,2025
... Show More
Slow, boring, and incoherent.

These are the words that come to mind when I think about my initial encounter with Faulkner's works. Based on this sampling, I'm not sure what the big deal is about him.

His writing seems to plod along at a snail's pace, lacking the energy and excitement that I look for in a good story. The plots are often convoluted and hard to follow, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated.

Moreover, the characters seem to be little more than caricatures, their actions and motivations unclear.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but for now, I remain unimpressed by Faulkner's reputation as a great writer.

I'll have to give his works another chance, but for now, I'm left wondering what all the fuss is about.
July 14,2025
... Show More

Faulkner, in my eyes, is the unrivaled monarch of American fiction. He demonstrates remarkable proficiency in various aspects such as narration, characterization, dialogue, psychology, mise-en-scene, and the use of appropriate phrasing. Even those stories that were included at the end of the book and not published during his lifetime possess great merit. Moreover, the majority of the previously published stories are truly outstanding. Needless to say, Faulkner holds a special place as my favorite American fiction writer. However, I also have other literary favorites, including Melville, James, Hemingway, Steinbeck, Welty, and Bellow. The Uncollected Stories, along with The Collected Stories, stands as two pinnacles of prose fiction, representing the heights of Faulkner's literary achievement and leaving a profound impact on the world of American literature.

July 14,2025
... Show More
The Bear, by William Faulkner, is an enthralling short story that forms part of the novel “The Uncollected Stories of William Faulkner.”

It centers around a teenage boy, Isaac McCaslin, and his arduous battle against nature. Symbolically, Old Ben, the bear, represents nature itself, while the hunters can be seen as the force attempting to control it.

Old Ben is a powerful and legendary figure in the town. His immortality is evident in his ability to withstand great damage, his invulnerability, and his capacity to overpower anything. The story vividly describes his exploits, such as rifling through corncribs, carrying off livestock, and defeating traps and dogs.

One aspect I appreciate about this short story is its remarkable detail considering its length. The author skillfully immerses the reader in the book, making it a truly engaging experience. Additionally, I enjoy the setting, which is post-civil war and in a small town in the wilderness.

A particular detail from the text that stands out is when Isaac McCaslin encounters the bear and recognizes his fear. He realizes that the only way to defeat the bear is to face it head-on. This detail caught my attention because it teaches us the importance of confronting our fears.

As humans, we often shy away from facing our fears due to the unknown consequences. However, if we don't have the courage to face them, we won't be able to grow and overcome our inner demons.

I would highly recommend this book to those who have a passion for nature. It offers valuable insights into the age-old conflict between nature and humanity and can also help us learn important values.
July 14,2025
... Show More
A book with too many stories to read all at once. Forty-five stories gathered in three parts: 1. Those used in later works; 2. Those already collected; 3. The unpublished stories.

It is a boldness to read them all in a row. This is rather a compilation for scholars or for die-hard fans of Faulkner (in a recent edition of Compactos Anagrama with more than 650 pages and with very small print that is difficult to read). I made the mistake of trying to read them all in a row and had to leave them for later at the end of the second part, stuffed with so many southern stories.

A few days ago, I continued with the last part, that of the unpublished stories, and I came across the best of all (this is just an opinion). I already loved the first one, Adolescents, that beautiful story of innocent tenderness between two adolescents mired in poverty, innocence soiled by adults; I also loved A Fat Fish and A Prosaic Story which are actually the same story from different points of view and which give a good description of the South after the Civil War, the decline of the great mansions, the great aristocracy and the rise of the new people, the "entrepreneurs". And what can be said of the magnificent A Return and Evangeline (the mystery of Colonel Sutpen's family, Judith, Henry and his friend Charles Bon) told with mastery and giving it a touch of suspense.

Of the first two parts, I have a good memory of some but not as enthusiastic as of the last part. All of them configure an overall vision of the American South from the Civil War (the War of Secession), 1861, until the first third of the 20th century, when William Faulkner sent his stories to be published in newspapers and did not always succeed.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.