Chicks On Lit discussion

Please join us for a read of this Faulkner novel. Don't forget to add Spoilers when necessary.

I think I'm about as far as you are Marialyce - the end of Chapter 2. The writing is beyond beautiful. It is as if the author is writing for the ear rather than the eye.

Are you guys finding it tough going?

Nice to know the writing is beautiful! Not sure if I'm gonna have time for this, will be going away soon and need to get lots done before leaving.

I believe that man will not merely endure. He will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.
William Faulkner

Found the following in Wikipedia
Light in August is a 1932 novel by the American author William Faulkner.
Light in August is an exploration of racial conflict in the society of the Southern United States. Originally Faulkner planned to call the novel Dark House, which also became the working title for Absalom, Absalom! Supposedly, one summer evening while sitting on a porch, his wife remarked on the strange quality that light in the south has during the month of August. Faulkner rushed out of his chair to his manuscript, scratched out the original title, and penciled in Light in August. (But this is probably apocryphal given the huge symbolic role that both light and the month of August play in the novel.)
Time magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.

I started this book in audio a couple of weeks ago and I up to chapter 20. I am enjoying it but sometimes I get lost on the plot. It may be the fact that I am listening to it instead of reading it, and get distracted.

The book description says this is the story of Joe Christmas and the study of the divided self. I don't agree with this. Joe Christmas is one of the main characters in the story but the I don't think the book is about him. I find it evolves more around Lina and Brown story, and the woman (I don't remember her name) who Christmas ends up with. Any thought on this?

I don't think it is tough, Laura, just that as Elizabeth says the writing is so beautiful you do not want to miss a word, a phrase or a nuance. I do think it lends itself to a slower pace though.

Elena, I am only up to Chapter 2 so I will have to get back to you.

Sure, I am ahead on this one.

I am also wondering about the title of this book. I don't see how it relates to the story. Maybe I'll find out more towards the end.

I am finding Faulkner's use of language fascinating. Words like swolbellied, inwardlistening, mansmelling etc. are mesmerizing. Why did he choses to use these words? Is it to again show a sense of the "unbelongingness" of his characters?

****Spoilers ***** Chapters 1 -6
What is it about Joe Christmas that makes him so appealing/unappealing? We know a number of things about him. He is a product of an interracial couple, he is an orphan (perhaps), he is a murderer, he is the janitor's relative of some kind (not sure if he is a son or nephew, grandson). Is he a compilation of all that was wrong with the South?

Reverend Hightower resembles Joe in a way as they both are living as outcasts, living a life that is one of their own making.

Lena Grove while searching for the father of her child (Lucas Burch/Joe Brown) is a character of inner strength and definite fortitude. She is single minded in her quest and will let nothing stand in the way of finding her lover. She is purposefully driven.

Bryan Bunch leads the most normal of lives until Lena captures his heart. She gives him direction and a sense of obligation.

Oh Marialyce, You know I love Faulkner, :) How did I miss you were doing this one?

Marialyce wrote: "I am finding Faulkner's use of language fascinating. Words like swolbellied, inwardlistening, mansmelling etc. are mesmerizing. Why did he choses to use these words? Is it to again show a sense of ..."

***spoiler***

I like how you have summarized the characters. As I said, I am up to chapter 20 and I don't know what is that Highpower did that made him the way he is. It seems there was something dark in his past but I think I missed it.

I picked this book only because the first chapter was free on Audible.com but I was hooked since the beginning. What a nice surprise that others are reading it too.

***Spoilers***

I am not sure either, Elena. I know his wife was unstable and so far it seems to allude to the fact that Hightower was not a "fit" husband and that fact possibly led her (or at least allowed it to happen) to her suicide. Perhaps he cared more about fire and brimstone, and of course his "famous" grandfather than he did about her. It is all very murky right now.(at least it seems that way to me)

Rebecca wrote: "Oh Marialyce, You know I love Faulkner, :) How did I miss you were doing this one?"


Sorry, Rebecca. I think we had talked about it a while ago, but I guess I should have posted it earlier. Please join us if you can. :)

You probably did. Thank you Marialyce. I will start reaidng tonight. :)

And Rebecca, we (or at least I) just started yesterday. You're not far behind. Glad to see you!

You too Elizabeth. Thank you. I am glad I can read with a great group of ladies.

This is a book of isolation. All the characters are in many ways separated from society. They show their many complexities and I think Faulkner was keenly aware of the many dimensions people can and do have. The character I find most confusing/compelling is Gail Hightower. I realize that Faulkner used names for his characters that had meaning and substance. Hightower's name just jumps out at you I think.

How does everyone feel about the atmospheric quality of the novel? It is a true "Southern" piece?

I'm now awake enough to have real thoughts. (It's 8am here.) Chapter 3, for me, is the introduction of the Light part of the title. Rev. Hightower is in his study looking out. The house is practically hidden and people from the street cannot see him. I think of Genesis: "Let there be light". In this case, light not just in the sense of day versus night, but more particularly in the sense of knowledge versus ignorance.

I have read through Chapter 6 only, so those of you who have read further will have a better sense of whether my impression is correct. But yes, I do see this as the story of Joe Christmas. He is accepted neither as white nor as black. He has no place in this world. Surely this is ignorance. I look forward to Light.

I have finished Chapter 7 and have discovered why Joe Christmas is the way he is. Very sad! I think the Genesis connection is a great analogy, Elizabeth, especially since there seems to be a heavy Christian theme.

Supposedly, one summer evening while sitting on a porch, Faulkner's wife remarked on the strange quality that light in the south has during the month of August. Faulkner rushed out of his chair to his manuscript, scratched out the original title and changed it to the one we now know.

Supposedly this is how the title came about.
BTW Have you noticed how much of the story is told through flashbacks?

I read through Chapter 9 last night - how is everyone doing? I feel these 3 chapters, 7-9, are more plot than characterization. But that plot gives us so much information about how the character of Joe Christmas developed.

Some of these passages just blow me away. I love that about Faulkner, his works are not easily read and make us dig deep for meanings.
If you are not familiar with Faulkner use of "stream of consciousness would be good useful for you to look it up as Faulker use of it is profound and effective throughout his works. If anyone has read As I Lay Dying his use of it in that novel is highly recognized.
Oprah has some great info for how to read Faulker as it was a book club selection a few years ago. I gleaned much from the site.

I am starting chapter 2. Look forward to arriving where others are shortly.

Chapter 9 SPOILERS****

I found the relationship between the waitress and Joe very strange and foreboding. I can't help but think that he might eventually kill her as well as his adoptive father.

Is the father so religiously bound that he becomes what he is? Could it be that he is an abuser and just corers his tracks with his religious fervor? Does he abuse his wife as well? She seems so beaten down and complacent. I do believe she loves Joe, but is incapable of protecting him.

Chapter 10 has some excellent examples of the stream of consciousness writing - and I mean excellent!

I am in the middle of Chapter 14 - tension filled.

I am up to Chapter 10 and I think that that stream of consciousness writing is probably what makes Faulkner's writing difficult at times to understand. I find myself having to reread or take a moment to think about what I have just read. Are you enjoying the book, Elizabeth?

I know you are Rebecca, since I know how you feel about Faulkner! :)

Yes, it's fabulous. Thank you for mentioning that you would be reading it, else I might not have picked it up.

I am willing to revise my thinking about the title, but only somewhat. I forget which chapter I'm on, and I'm not willing to go into the other room to check. But the words light and dark both have a sufficient variety of meanings that Faulkner may have wanted his novel to include many of them.

I am finished. I thought, Elizabeth, that the word light might also have the meaning to of being without a burden. Each character carries a heavy burden as they go through their life. Perhaps that has a play in the title as well.

I think I will finish tonight. That's one of the many meanings we could take with us. I see also that things happen when it's dark that are different than the things which happen when it's light. The differences in opportunities and experiences between light- and dark-skinned people is obvious. We also have sin, or dark souls, while there are good and light souls. There is so much to this.

Well, I must say that this was a pretty heady book. (at least for me) It left me with many feelings and touched upon emotions that are still with me days after I have finished. I hope everyone who read it felt as moved and enriched as I did. I must read his As I Lay Dying. Thanks Elizabeth and Rebecca for reading with me!

Thanks for pushing me, Marialyce. This wasn't on my current radar, but I'm ever so glad to have pushed it forward. I do hope to get to more of him.

I will keep on with it as usual Elizabeth. Dracula has me at the moment. I can't wait to hear both your thoughts on As I Lay Dying. Truly it's construction is fascinating. Don't forget The Sound and Fury as well. :) Enjoy

I am curious to see what you think., Elizabeth and Rebecca. Do you believe that Joe Christmas is a sociopath or is he a product of nature vs. nurture?

This bok is truly making me think about it much more than others I have read.

I don't think there is a such a thing as either nature or nurture, but that our characters are formed by both nature and nurture.

I'm going to start this book for another club, and after reading the comments, have started to look forward to it. Faulkner scares me! LOL

It does take some time to let it get into your head (the stream of consciousness stuff) but it is powerful and superbly written even though the subject matter is a tad (well maybe a lot!) depressing. I also found that there are many references to this novel (as well as all of his others) on the web that can help you to understand in great detail. Just google the title and you'll see what I mean. So enjoy the talented Mr Faulkner, Lisa, and let me know what you think.

Thank you, I look forward to it.

Marialyce,
Did you seem to get into a trance while reading this book? I seem to suddenly look up and I have read 20 pages and it goes by in an insant!

You know, I did, Lisa. I think it is maybe because you pay so much attention to his words that you forget about all else. He is able to create such an atmosphere that you feel like you are part and parcel of it. We discussed this book in my face to face book club and all who read it felt enriched by having read a Faulkner book. I was reading Steinbeck at the same time and found that while Steinbeck pointed to the good of man, Faulkner pointed out the inherent flaws we have. A very interesting man who wrote powerfully was Mr. Faulkner. (Steinbeck too!)

I did go out and read his As I Lay Dying, and it too was mesmerizing in its brutality. (Some people thought it was funny though, not me!!)

I just finished this book and I must say that I liked it. Thought that the book could have ended about 100 pages sooner, but enjoyed it just the same. It did make me think about certain aspects of an individual's life. Nature vs nurture and how a person is shaped in their life. My perception of Christmas kept changing during the book, maybe that is a mark of a great book, how it changes your perception.

I am glad that you liked it, Lisa. I really felt good about reading an author who many think might have been one of America's finest. Thanks for joining us

Marialyce

Thanks for letting me catch up! I was rather slow out of the gate!

We al like to take our time with our buddy reads. So, no problem, whenever you finish or whatever is fine.

We are doing War and Peace next so if you feel like you want a very long read, we would love to have you with us, Lisa. We are only going to do about 30 or so pages a day, but it is a biggie!

Wow, yes that is a biggie! Never read that since I was always intimidated by Russian authors. Might try to pick it up at the library! Thanks for the heads up!