A Reader's Guide to William Faulkner: The Novels

by Edmond L. Volpe

A standard reference work in American literature, this volume is the most complete and detailed guide to the novels of William Faulkner. Edmond L. Volpe's aim is to reveal the greatness of Faulkner's art and the scope and profundity of his personal vision of life. He describes the dominant patterns in the fiction by isolating Faulkner's major themes and by analyzing his narrative techniques and style. He then offers extensive, individual interpretations of the nineteen novels, tracing the development of Faulkner's ideas, and includes a set of genealogical tables for each major family in the novels. Both scholarly and this treatment of Faulkner's novels—from Soldiers' Pay to The Reivers —helps the reader come to a thorough understanding of a great American writer.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1964

About the author

Full name: Edmond Loris Volpe.

Reviews

[Jerry Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit dated given its 1964 publication and the volume of Faulkner scholarship which has appeared since its publication, Volpe's book is still an important work for anyone who wishes to explore Faulkner's novels. Each novel is analyzed in some detail with emphasis given to narrative structure and style, themes and character development. Volpe has a nice narrative style and his critiques are clear and thought provoking. An additional highlight is Volpe's appendix in which he offers chronologies of events as well as scene shifts for The Sound and the Fury; Absalom, Absalom!;
the Snopes Trilogy and other works. He also presents genealogical tables for each of the Yoknapatawpha County families. Now out of print, it is still worth picking up if you come across a copy in a used book store.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid book that gives general (!) detail about all of Faulkner's novels. Summaries, general interpretations, chronologies, and genealogies are given in very good detail. This should be the first go-to book for anyone studying Faulkner. It doesn't have the masturbatory feel that taints elements of Irwin's book, but it does read a bit dated, which is unsurprising with the publication being in the 60's. Fantastic, though, for general information. The chronologies and such would be of great use to those first delving into Faulkner, as well as to continuing readers. Well worth having.

[Daniel Schulof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must-have reference for anyone serious about milking everything possible out of Faulkner. That said, I don't always find his analyses persuasive. But they are always thoughtful and reasonable enough.

[Therese Brink · Rating 3 out of 5]

helpful.