Rating: 
Summary: The Sound and the Fury is genius.
Review: For those of you who think that Faulkner is unreadable or unimportant or undeserving of the canon, I offer this: sometimes genius is not easily communicated. I ask you to trust me that Faulkner's work is genius, in the same way that physicists ask you to trust that Einstein's theories are genius, even if you yourself cannot understand those theories. Benji's language in The Sound and the Fury has been hailed by special educators as indicative of the way that mentally retarded people actually communicate and think. Is it not important to write about this element of the population? Is it not important to examine the perspectives of those who find it difficult to communicate, instead of always sharing the point of view in a story with some one like Nick Caraway, a bondsman with the voice of F. Scott Fitzgerald? This novel might be difficult to undertake, but the real quality experiences in life always are. As examples: Ulysses by Joyce or Moby Dick by Herman. Faulkner crafted this story for himself, deciding before he ever wrote a word that it was not for publication. Instead, the words were scribbled to appease something in his heart that he thought important--where true art always comes from--and not the desire to appease the lowest common denominator. His editor finally convinced him that it was too important to stay hidden in a drawer somewhere. You cannot consider yourself an expert on or an aficionado of, literature, unless you can understand the importance of Faulkner. Faulkner used the quote from Macbeth to sum up the status of Southern aristocratic families in the New South: their stories may seem heroic, but in the end, they are all doomed. Consider this novel in relation to the 'Out Out Brief Candle' soliloquy and I think you will see its relevance. Faulkner often conceived his titles in such a way. Consider: Absalom! Absalom! (the best novel ever written by an American) and If I Forget The Jerusalem.
Rating: 
Summary: not a fan of stream-of-consciousness writing
Review: I have the misfortune of being forced to read this book for one of my university classes. I honestly don't see why this is considered to be such a classic in literature. The only thing worthy of note about this book is that Faulkner attempted an experiment with storytelling no one had never done before. As a writer and a student of English literature (by the way, for those who think only the "uneducated" don't like this book, I am proof to the contrary) I believe a writer must give us, as readers, at least some clear indication of what we are supposed to take away from his or her piece of writing, even if he or she asks us to come to our own conclusions about the message or messages. The problem with stream-of-consciousness storytelling is that it does not convey its significant points clearly. Does Faulkner honestly want us to take away that "it is a tale/ Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/Signifying nothing"? (The preceding is a quote from Macbeth where Faulkner gets his title.) This is the message I take away from the novel. The story signifies absolutely nothing; the end of the book and the fates of the characters fizzle into nothing. The story is mediocre at best. It is only memorable for the bizarre way in which it is told.
Rating:
Summary: Un-bear-able
Review: I am an aficionado of classic literature, but the talents of Faulkner remain a complete mystery to me. I found the Sound and the Fury to be totally unreadable.
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: Okay. I have had a bitter love/hate relationship with Faulkner since the first work I read of his, "The Bear." Well, after reading this novel, struggling, cussing, and questioning, I think it is safe to say that Faulkner is the greatest American author of the 20th century. (Deep breath) So what do we have in "The Sound and the Fury"? Too much to type, and I don't know most of it anyway. What I do know is that reading this book turns the experience into an obsession. It is tremendously difficult to read and it takes over your life. I believe that the reason Faulkner wrote it this way is because he is arguing that language can unite people. No, you can't use language to make good mothers, fathers, brothers, or sisters - just take a look at the Compson family. But maybe language can serve as a unifying factor between this and other books in Modernism? Whatever. Here, this might be at least slightly helpful. Caddy: Central character of the book. She is the object of fixation by her brothers, yet there isn't anything exceptional about her - the obsession is arbitrary. Faulkner doesn't give her a voice, but she speaks through her actions (Example: Squatting on the branch with muddy underwear looking through the window at her grandmother's funeral -- a feat her brother's looked upon with awe). Benjy: His narration is the first one of the book and it contains the truth of the Compson family situation objectively because he is retarded. The only thing he notices is that things happen, no emotions or thoughts attached. No desire. He does have an amazing ability in being able to predict Caddy's sexual decline (Young Caddy smells like trees, purity) - (Teenage Caddy smells like rain, she is wearing perfume). Benjy loss is Caddy as he wonders up and down the old pasture, now a golf course as he hears the golfers yelling "Caddie!" Quentin: He cannot see himself. He wants to restore Caddy into a body that is real, but his obsession with her is so he won't have to look at himself (Man this is hard to explain without giving away plot). Jason: The embodiment of evil. The weird thing is that his obsession with material things is what makes him the sanest character in the book! For isn't this obsession a nationwide phenomenon? Mr. Compson: A failure of a father on all levels, despite his effort. His once aristocratic family is now borderline poor. Mrs. Compson: The mother who is so helpless that she cannot take care of herself, let alone her family. Dilsey: The housekeeper who is the sole source of responsibility in the family. ----------------------------------------------------------------- For me this book absorbed me but, in many ways, it was a nightmare. I have never experienced characters as vivid as the Compson family. I would argue that Caddy might be the most developed portrait of a female ever written. This book also has great rereading value. I estimate that after my detailed reading, I picked up on about twenty-percent of all the symbolism and implications. No, this is not a beach book. It is a book you read at your upstairs desk with your pencil in hand to make notes in the margin and a cup of coffee at your side. I urge you to become obsessed. You'll fit right in with the Compson's.
Rating:
Summary: one of the most brilliant pieces of literature ever written.
Review: The Sound and The Fury is unlike anything that you've ever read. There is no amount of preperation that can be done to "get ready" for this novel. If you let it, it will suck you in an never let you go. The story is the tragic demise of the Compson family, once a staple of the Jefferson Mississippi community. The story is told in four parts. The first is told by Benjy Compson, a thirty-three year old mentally handicapped man. His mind works as if he were three years old and the section is written in a stream of consciousness style (written as if the author were in the characters mind). therefore he has no real concept of time or place. This section freely changes time periods without much warning. While reading one thinks "i don't get this." that is okay. neither does Benjy, hence the almost incoherent first section. but it is decipherable. and if the reader stick with i, things will reveal themselves later in the novel. The second section is also stream of consciousness told be the emotionally distraut Quentin Compson. A lot of this section is void of puncuation, making it also pretty hard. Jason Compson's section is the third section and pretty straight forward. the fourth section is told by Faulkner as the narrator. I suggest that one put aside four days and read the book a section a day. Also i recommend reading things about the novel. There is a good book called Faulkner in the University that has Faulkner explaining parts of the book in his own words. it helps. So good luck and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: HARD BUT WORTH IT
Review: I was required to read this novel for a class, but I ended up loving every page. It's a very sick mystery, that Faulkner created, and you are the detective. It took me two readings of the book to understand everything that was going on. William Faulkner is an absolut genius, and if you can understand this novel without cliff notes, congratulations. This book is surely a test to your smarts, good luck...
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Summary: Faulkner Won't suffer from bad customer reviews but...
Review: What does it say about literacy, culture and USA citizen's reading acuity that "The Sound and The Fury" is garnering one and two star reviews? I find that shocking, dismaying, alarming, you name the emotion, as long as it is negative, and I have it. A sinking sensation about us, our education. This is a work of genius. I've read this book maybe 10 times and it always elevates my writing. Reviewers who denigrate Faulkner seem honest. That is what is terrifying, clarifying, sad, scary, you name the emotion-- as long it isn't a good one--and you get my gist.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Much!
Review: This book, although beautifully written, is attempting to capture a myriad of topics into one digestible story. Racism, incest, thievery, ...you name it, this book tries to embrace it! If it were a simple story, the subject matter may have kept my interest. However, Faulkner's writing style of character based sections made the reading experience harder to enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: A legend type thing...
Review: I guess I cheated a little with this one. My edition, you see, had a foreword, a passage from a book called "Portable Faulkner" or something like that, which pretty much explained the whole plotline with all the background. In fact, it contained information about the Compson family which is never mentioned in the actual novel. I read that foreword first, and after that it was pretty easy to follow the story. Good enough, since the novel was an obligatory read for me and I didn't have much time to spend on it. So perhaps I don't have the right to make any criticism... either way, here's a few remarks. Faulkner had a brilliant story to tell, but he must have been a brave man to tell it this way. The Sound And The Fury could well have been an excellent family saga, told in the traditional way. Many readers would have fallen in love with it, the pure emotion and strength of the tale would have ensured that. As a friend of "straight" literature, I might have enjoyed it more as such. But then again, without the stylistic reformism, perhaps the book wouldn't be a classic today - perhaps I wouldn't ever have heard of it. As it is, this novel is impressive, but not exactly enjoyable. Still the feeling is strong enough. This book has an atmosphere. And the last part, at least, is clear and easy writing, suitable for anyone... if that's any comfort after 200+ pages of inner monologue. I liked it. But compromise isn't always a bad thing, you know.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of southern writing
Review: I first read The Sound and the Fury in sixth grade. I've read this book again and again over the years and each time I gain insight into the story of the Compton Family. The Comptons survived the Civil War only to fall victim to their own personal tragedies. This is the story of Caddy as told by her three brothers. Each brother tells his story of his sister in his own words and style. Faulkner's writing is rich in the unique cadance of Southern stories. Faulkner allows his characters to speak in their own voices even when the voice is one of despair or desperation. This isn't an easy novel to read. It takes time to read and absorb, but you won't be disappointed. In my opinion Faulkner is one of the world's greatest writers. When you've finished this novel read the rest of Faulkner's works.
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