As I Lay Dying

by William Faulkner
As I Lay Dying cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Literary Fiction
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Format • £9.49
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Paperback • £9.99–£15.99 Hardback • £22.00
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Technical
  • ID: 4668
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780679732259
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 1990-01-01
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 3

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a profound exploration of family, grief, and the human condition, told through the unique perspectives of each Bundren family member. The novel follows their arduous journey to fulfill Addie's last wish, revealing the complexities and contradictions of their relationships. /n/nFaulkner's innovative narrative style and rich, poetic language immerse readers in the Bundrens' world, making this a seminal work of American literature. The novel's themes of mortality, duty, and the passage of time resonate deeply, offering a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.

Reviews
Chris Gregory Books · Chris Gregory · 2020-11-28
excellent 4.20

The book is a blackly comic, bleak, and tragic work about a family coming apart at the seams due to their inability to communicate. The reviewer highlights the dark humor and tragic elements that make the book a unique and compelling read.

Chris Gregory describes 'As I Lay Dying' as a blackly comic and tragic work that delves into the disintegration of a family due to their inability to communicate. They appreciate the dark humor and tragic elements that Faulkner weaves into the narrative. The book's exploration of family dynamics and the struggles of communication is particularly compelling. Gregory highlights how the book's unique blend of humor and tragedy makes it a standout read. The reviewer found the book to be a profound and thought-provoking exploration of human relationships and the complexities of family life.

Quick quotes

    As I Lay Dying is a blackly comic, bleak and tragic work about a family coming apart at the seams because they can't communicate.

    Faulkner's exploration of family dynamics and communication struggles is particularly compelling.

    The book's unique blend of dark humor and tragedy makes it a standout read.

Reader's High Tea · Reader's High Tea · 2018-04-14
great 4.00

The nine-day journey is filled with dark humor, tragedy, and weird happenings that address a wide range of emotions. The book's exploration of family dynamics and communication struggles is particularly compelling.

The reviewer highlights the dark humor and tragic elements that intertwine throughout the Bundren family's journey. They found the book to be a profound exploration of family dynamics and the struggles of communication. The nine-day journey is filled with unexpected events and emotional depth, making it a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates how Faulkner weaves together these elements to create a rich and thought-provoking narrative. The book's ability to address a wide range of emotions and themes resonated strongly with them.

Quick quotes

    The nine-day travel is not as smooth as they thought, sprinkled with dark humour, tragedy, and weird happenings that address a wide range of emotions.

    Faulkner's exploration of family dynamics and communication struggles is particularly compelling.

    The book's ability to weave together dark humor and tragedy makes it a standout read.

Nut Free Nerd · Nut Free Nerd · 2016-10-27
brilliant 4.50

The writing style is challenging but rewarding, and it has converted the reviewer into a devoted Faulkner fan. The unique narrative structure and deep character insights are particularly praised.

This reviewer found 'As I Lay Dying' to be a transformative reading experience. They appreciated the challenging yet rewarding writing style, which offers deep insights into the characters' minds. The unique narrative structure, with multiple perspectives, was particularly engaging. Despite the initial difficulty, the book's richness and depth made it a worthwhile read, turning the reviewer into a devoted fan of Faulkner's work. The exploration of themes like family, death, and communication resonated strongly with them.

Quick quotes

    As I Lay Dying has officially converted me into a devoted Faulkner fan.

    His writing style is challenging but rewarding, and I'm already looking forward to reading more of his work.

    The unique narrative structure and deep character insights make this book a standout.

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