As I Lay Dying: A Norton Critical Edition

This Norton Critical Edition is based on the 1985 corrected text and includes updated explanatory annotations, an introduction by Michael Gorra, and critical essays by Olga W. Vickery, Cleanth Brooks, Eric Sundquist, Doreen Fowler, Dorothy J. Hale, Patrick ODonnell, John T. Matthews, John Limon, Richard Godden, Susan Scott Parrish, and Erin E. Edwards. It also includes a chronology and selected bibliography.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 442 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Based on the 1985 corrected text, this Norton Critical Edition is accompanied by newly updated and expanded explanatory annotations and an introduction by Michael Gorra. The book is divided into three sections: "Backgrounds and Contexts," "Contemporary Reception," and "The Writer and His Work."

"Backgrounds and Contexts" includes a concise introduction by Michael Gorra that carefully frames the issues presented, with particular attention to As I Lay Dying's place in Faulkner's literary life. The section is further divided into three subsections: "Faulkner's Life and Career," "The Southern Tradition," and "The Novel as Art."

"Contemporary Reception" includes a selection of seven reviews, including those by Julia K. W. Baker, Henry Nash Smith, and Valery Larbaud. The reviews provide insights into the novel's reception at the time of its publication and its impact on contemporary literature.

"The Writer and His Work" examines Faulkner's own claims regarding the composition of the novel and his changing opinions over time. The section includes sample pages from the manuscript, his Nobel Prize address, and additional writings by Faulkner on Yoknapatawpha County.

"Cultural Context" reprints seven essays and advertisements—three selections new to the Second Edition—along with other materials that address questions of Southern motherhood, Agrarianism, and the Southern grotesque. The essays and advertisements provide a broader cultural context for the novel and its themes.

"Criticism" begins with the editors introduction to As I Lay Dying's critical history and scholarly reception. Eleven critical essays are included, five of which are new to the Second Edition. The essays cover various aspects of the novel, including its narrative structure, symbolism, and themes.

A chronology and a selected bibliography are also included to provide further information and resources for readers.

In conclusion, this Norton Critical Edition of As I Lay Dying is an essential resource for scholars and readers interested in Faulkner's novel. The expanded annotations, introduction, and critical essays provide valuable insights into the novel's historical context, literary significance, and critical reception. The book is a valuable addition to Faulkner studies and will be of interest to anyone seeking to understand this important work of American literature.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 130 x 212 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780393614534
Edition number: Second Edition