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Light in August

By William Faulkner
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Light in August by William Faulkner delves into the intertwined lives of several characters in the American South. At its core is the journey of Lena Grove, a pregnant woman in search of her child's father. The novel explores themes of race, identity, and isolation, set against a backdrop of societal tensions and personal quests for meaning.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy richly woven narratives that explore complex themes such as identity, race, and community in the American South. You might like it for Faulkner's intricate storytelling and the way he delves into the human soul with a blend of poignancy and depth. The compelling character studies and evocative atmosphere make it a rewarding read for those who appreciate literary fiction that tackles profound social issues.

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A landmark in American fiction, Light in August explores Faulkner's central theme: the nature of evil. Joe Christmas - a man doomed, deracinated and alone - wanders the Deep South in search of an identity, and a place in society. Yet after the sacrifice, there is new life, a determined ray of light in Faulkner's complex and tragic world.

Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

A landmark in American fiction, Light in August explores Faulkner's central theme—the nature of evil. Joe Christmas— a man doomed, deracinated and alone—wanders the Deep South in search of an identity, and a place in society. After killing his perverted, God-fearing lover, it becomes inevitable that he is pursued by a lynch-hungry mob. Yet after the sacrifice, there is new life, a determined ray of light in Faulkner's complex and tragic world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Light in August by William Faulkner is praised for its fierce indignation against cruelty, stupidity, and prejudice, marking it as a significant work. Critics admire Faulkner's inexhaustible invention and powerful imagination, suggesting he writes exceptionally well. He is recognised as one of the strongest American novelists of the century, often being compared to literary greats such as Hawthorne and Melville.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099283157

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 October 2000

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 272g

Pages: 384

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About the Author

Born in 1897 in New Albany, Mississippi, William Faulkner was the son of a family proud of their prominent role in the history of the south. He grew up in Oxford, Mississippi, and left high school at fifteen to work in his grandfather's bank. Rejected by the US military in 1915, he joined the Canadian flyers with the RAF, but was still in training when the war ended. Returning home, he studied at the University of Mississippi and visited Europe briefly in 1925. His first poem was published in The New Republic in 1919. His first book of verse and early novels followed, but his major work began with the publication of The Sound and the Fury in 1929. As I Lay Dying (1930), Sanctuary (1931), Light in August (1932), Absalom, Absalom! (1936) and The Wild Palms (1939) are the key works of his great creative period leading up to Intruder in the Dust (1948). During the 1930s, he worked in Hollywood on film scripts, notably The Blue Lamp, co-written with Raymond Chandler. William Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949 and the Pulitzer Prize for The Reivers just before his death in July 1962.

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