Saddest Words: William Faulkner's Civil War

In this documentary, Michael Gorra explores whether William Faulkner's works should still be read in the modern century and what they tell us about the legacy of slavery and the American Civil War. It also examines the central cultural issues facing American literature today.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 448 pages
\n Publication date: 22 September 2020
\n Publisher: WW Norton & Co
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In this captivating historical portrait, Michael Gorra delves into the life and world of renowned author William Faulkner. He poses thought-provoking questions about the enduring relevance of Faulkner's works in the modern era, exploring the profound insights his writings offer into the legacy of slavery and the American Civil War, the central conflict in American history.

Born in 1897 in Mississippi, Faulkner emerged as a literary giant, penning iconic novels such as Absalom, Absalom! and The Sound and the Fury. Through his vivid portrayal of Yoknapatawpha County and its diverse cast of characters, Faulkner created a rich tapestry of American fiction that culminated in his receipt of the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949. However, given the romanticized portrayal of the Lost Cause, the nuanced depiction of black characters and their language, and the portrayal of race relations in a largely unreconstructed South, Faulkner warrants a critical reevaluation.

The Saddest Words weaves together a captivating blend of biography, insightful literary criticism, and immersive travelogue to recontextualize Faulkner and unveil a profound civil war within him. At the same time, it delves into the most pressing cultural issues confronting American literature today. This comprehensive exploration offers readers a fresh perspective on the enduring brilliance of Faulkner's work and its profound impact on the literary landscape.

\n Weight: 782g\n
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 40 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781631491702\n \n