On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Here is the topic to begin discussion of Flags in the Dust by William Faulkner. Avoid spoilers.

While we have read quite a few works by Faulkner, what is noteworthy about this novel is this is our first glimpse of the world of Yoknapatawpha County. As you read this novel you may recognize characters from other later works you have read. For me, it is clear that Mr. Faulkner had planned out the direction he intended to go years before he wrote many of the works he is known for today. Ironically the version you are about to read was not published until 1976. The work was originally published in a much abbreviated work, Sartoris in 1929. This complete work is the manner in which Faulkner intended the reader to be introduced to the world of Yoknapatawpha County. It is a third longer than what originally was released to public view. What emerges is world much richer, with characters more fully realized. And this is a novel in which Faulkner relies heavily on his own family's history as the cornerstone of the Faulkner Canon. When asked where should I begin to read Faulkner, I answer with Flags in the Dust. When asked what Faulkner should I read next, I ask, "Have you read, Flags in the Dust?" No Faulkner scholar considers this work Faulkner's masterpiece. Yet, this novel leads to Faulkner's masterpieces, whichever the scholars claim them to be. I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I have.

Mike Sullivan
"Lawyer Stevens"

I'm finally starting this one, a little behind everyone else, but looking forward to getting back to Faulkner country again.

I haven't started yet either, hopefully in the next few days.

Mike wrote: "Here is the topic to begin discussion of Flags in the Dust by William Faulkner. Avoid spoilers.

While we have read quite a few works by Faulkner, what is noteworthy ab..."

I love the way Faulkner always brings slow clarity to his novels after about halfway through- all the characters come together.

I finally got to this one, so I'm a little tardy to the discussion. So far, I'm liking it, but having to reread sections (it is Faulkner, after all). I'm going to have to get some more background for this novel. Took me awhile to get through some of the dialect at the beginning. So, am I correct in understanding that The Sound and the Fury is the one after this book, so Flags in the Dust is sort of the entry point.