Rating: 
Summary: where's the spark?
Review: This is one of the more difficult novels I've read. The first chapter severely tried my patience and the second didn't help much either. But the story did pretty much come together in the latter parts of the novel.
One of the interesting effects the novel has is that the reader is left to discern the reasons behind the characters' actions. It really wasn't shown why Quentin had that level of desire for his sister or why Candace resorted to her actions. Or maybe I just didn't absorb enough of the novel after the first reading.
The reason why I'm giving this book a low rating is that it doesn't stir up any passion from me. I recognize that this book might require a second reading to be fully appreciated but it doesn't ignite that interest in me to do that. Faulkner's style of writing in this book did not make the characters real to me (except, ironically perhaps, for Jason, the evil brother). And after reading the book, the characters and the story swiftly flew out of my head.
I bought this book primarily because I've heard so much about William Faulkner and how this is supposed to be his best book. Well I ended up a bit disappointed but I think I'll go read another one of his novels just to prove myself wrong.
The novel may teach a lot about family relationships. But really, the spark just isn't there to keep me interested.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely stunning
Review: I read this work a few years ago, and seemed to get most of what Faulkner was trying to convey. However, it wasn't until I took a 20th-century American literature class in college that I realized the massive intellectual force that this book represents. As trite as it may sound, it was one of those rare moments in a person's life that you look up, stare off into space for a few seconds, and say to yourself, "I didn't know you could do that!" I became aware of a greater potential in the world around me (yes, it sounds metaphysical as hell, but it's the truth). Those of you who do read this book, and are not touched in some way by its brilliance, all I can say is that you have my sympathy and my pity. Those of you who are touched, I need say no more. It is the best book I have ever read. Period.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning achievement
Review: Most of this novel takes place over Easter weekend. The decline of this southern family when viewed on a larger scale is the fall of mankind. Themes of baptism and the resurrection of Jesus resonate in this novel. The first section called by readers and critics the Benjy section is told through the eyes of a 33 year old [mentally handicapped] man. This section is brilliant and new in literature as it follows Benjy Compson, his mental associations triggering trips back and forth in time, sometimes several times on one page. The Quentin section is about the day that Quentin Compson commits suicide while away at Harvard. The Jason section is told in a more straight forward style as we follow the evil and occasionaly funny doings of Jason Compson. Much of these sections center, in one way or the other, around their sister Caddy. There is so much more to it, however this is a review and not cliff notes. This novel is dark, yet there is hope found in the last section usually called the Dilsey section after the Compsons black cook and housekeeper. At Dilsey's church a preacher says that he has seen the darkness and death everlasting on the generations and he also sees the resurrection and the light. The congregation forgets their individual selves and each heart speaks to each other. Dilsey crying after church is over says she has seen the first and the last , an allusion to Christ, when asked what she meant she says she has seen the beginning and the ending, now referencing the Compson family. Faulkner has said that Dilsey was his favorite character maybe because there is where he painted in the hope.
Rating:
Summary: Faulkner's first great work
Review: This novelis the first great novelby William Faulkner and is noted not only for its virtousity in formal experimentation but in its themes of family dissolution racial and regional conflict and the compelling characters spread over the book.Both harrowing and poignant, THE SOUND AND THE FURY is a high pint in American literary history
Rating:
Summary: A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT--NOT QUITE
Review: As a novelist with my first book in its initial release, I have read William Faulkner's THE SOUND AND THE FURY so many times I've lost count. I never realized its impact on me until a reader recently commented to me about how my debut book also centered on a disintegrating dysfunctional family, mentioning THE SOUND AND THE FURY by name. Telling the tale, at least on the surface, of the Compson family from the various perspectives of the final generation of what was a once-great Mississippi family, Faulkner's masterpiece addresses all types of ultra-serious questions and themes. Whether the portion of the novel focuses on the character of Benjy, Quentin, Caddy or Jason, Faulkner continues making his points. It is unbelievably powerful. THE SOUND AND THE FURY is legendary, as it deserves to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Hmm
Review: Though this book was very difficult to read, I have to admit the difficulty and atmosphere kept me interested. In hindsight, if it weren't written in this stream of conscious style, I don't think I would have been interested in a story about a wacky family from the south. In fact it would have bored the heck out of me if it were written in a simple/Hemingway type style. But it is obviously a story that needed to be told and told in a proper prespective. From the inside out. And that, I think is the greatness of Faulkner's genius.
Rating:
Summary: Lack of Love
Review: I never fely more confused in my life than when I first sat down to read The Sound and the Fury. At first, I couldn't figure out who was talking or why there were italics placed sporadically throughout the page, which seemed to have nothing to do with the rest of the story, but after suffering through for a while, the book makes sense. The first narrative is the hardest to understand, coming from Benjy, the retarded son in the Compson family. Although very confusing, this narrative gives the reader the most realistic view on the characters. Because of his mental incapabilities, Benjy's narrative is the most objective and he gives the reader the true view of Caddy as a compassionate person. She is not shown this was in the views of all of her brother's, but the opinion from Benjy is the only one which can be completely trusted, partially because the reader never actually gets to hear Caddy on his own. Although the center character, she does not have her own narrative so the reader never understands her completely. Eventually, the Compson family crumbles, probably because of the lack of love which was, unfortunately, passed down through the generations. I enjoyed reading this book, but unless you are prepared for some really hard thinking, I don't suggest you open the cover. However, when you are seriously ready to think, this book should go to the top of your list.
Rating:
Summary: Faulkner is a genius
Review: This story is tough to get through, painful to read, and at the end, you can only sit back and take a deep breath and wonder what the heck just happened. And of course, I loved every minute of it. Faulkner's genius in this book is in the way he tells the story of Caddy Compson, but he only tells it through everybody else's eyes. Caddy herself never appears as the narrator of her own tale. There is a lot to say on this book. A lot has been written and debated, but one can only truly experience this book by being patient, and sitting down and spending time with it. This is not a quick read, but it's a great one. Note: there are many websites that do help with the narrative, but I would not recommend reading any of those until you have completed the book itself.
Rating: 
Summary: Guess I'm Just Not a Literary Afficionado
Review: I enjoy good books, and usually even the great works of the masters. This novel was one of the most difficult reads I've ever undertaken. I am not accustomed to waiting through 3/4 of the book to get the most basic clue about what is going on. This is literature but it is certainly not entertainment. Perhaps if I had read Cliff's Notes on this book before hand I might have been better prepared. Faulkner is praised for his experimentation with perspective in this book, and that is fine, but for me it was hard work to slog through it. The first section, told from the perspective of Benjy, a severely retarded man, was the most difficult. A second read would, I am sure, bring it all together for me but I'm not willing to invest any more into this work.
Rating:
Summary: Another Reason to Hate Californians
Review: A moment's reprise from spoon-feeding makes their heads hurt (of course all you other Californians know I'm kidding... see a few reviews below). I don't have much to say about this novel except four things: 1) with Faulkner, how the story is told IS the story, without fail 2) Contrary to popular belief, good writing never, EVER tells you what to believe, just asks why you believe it 3) It's okay to not understand. You will. 4) If you ever find a book that nobody hates, it's not worth reading.The four stars are on the Faulkner scale, with "Absalom, Absalom" setting the pace at five. It's more infuriating than this one. p.s. going too fast in Faulkner's time got a lot of people killed...
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