Light in August

by William Faulkner
Light in August cover
Good Books rating 3.92
Gothic
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99–£10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4667
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Published: 1968-01-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

Set in the fictional town of Jefferson, Mississippi, Light in August is a profound and unsettling novel that examines the complexities of human nature. The story weaves together the lives of several characters, including Joe Christmas, a man of ambiguous racial heritage, and Lena Grove, a determined young woman searching for the father of her unborn child. The novel is renowned for its rich, poetic prose and its unflinching portrayal of societal prejudices and personal struggles. /n/n Faulkner's masterful storytelling and deep psychological insight make this a compelling read that challenges readers to confront the darker aspects of humanity. The novel's themes of alienation, violence, and redemption resonate powerfully, making it a timeless classic of Southern Gothic literature.

Reviews
The New York Times · 2025-10-21
powerful 4.50

The novel is powerful and secures Faulkner's place among the top American writers. The story is compelling and the characters are deeply explored.

This reviewer praises Light in August as a powerful novel that solidifies Faulkner's status as a leading American writer. They find the story compelling and the characters deeply explored, making it a significant work of literature. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the narrative, which they believe sets it apart.

Quick quotes

    Light in August is a powerful novel, a book which secures Mr. Faulkner's place in the very front rank of American writers of fiction.

    The story is compelling and the characters are deeply explored.

    Faulkner's use of language and his exploration of themes make this a significant work of literature.

Thespiai · 2024-09-01
thought-provoking 3.75

The book is challenging and uncomfortable, raising thought-provoking questions about art, identity, and literature. The narrative is both poetic and unsettling, making it a hard but rewarding read.

This reviewer found Light in August to be a tough but rewarding read. They appreciate the way Faulkner uses both poetic and banal language to tell a deeply unsettling story. The book raises important questions about art, identity, and literature itself, making it a thought-provoking experience. The reviewer acknowledges the discomfort the book brings but sees it as a necessary part of its exploration of complex themes.

Quick quotes

    Light in August is a hard book.

    It's also an uncomfortable book that raises some interesting questions about art, identity, and literature itself.

    The book is a challenging read, but it's one that stays with you long after you've finished it.

The Nature of Things Blog · 2021-02-25
impactful 3.50

The book delves into the pervasive role of racist attitudes in the lives of white characters. The narrative is explicit and thought-provoking, highlighting the societal issues of the time.

This reviewer highlights how Light in August explicitly explores the dominant role of racist attitudes in the everyday lives of white characters. They find the narrative thought-provoking and believe it effectively highlights the societal issues of the time. The reviewer appreciates the book's boldness in addressing these themes, making it a significant and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    In this book, he dives explicitly headfirst into the dominant role that racist attitudes play in the everyday life and conversation of the White characters in the South.

    The narrative is explicit and thought-provoking, highlighting the societal issues of the time.

    The book's boldness in addressing these themes makes it a significant and impactful read.

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