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laudida t1_j2assgw wrote

I took a class over Faulkner and we read A Rose for Emily, Absalom, Absalom, The Sound and the Fury, and As I Lay Dying. Honestly, I hated reading all of his works, but I loved having someone guide me through the themes and to help analyze his works. I can definitely see why people would hold them up in high esteem even though I would never say they are "fun" or even easy to read. I'd recommend looking up different analyses of his works that might help you have a better appreciation of them. But even if you don't appreciate or like them, oh well, everyone had different tastes.

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shejesa OP t1_j2at7r3 wrote

I don't disagree that there are important themes, but he wasn't a good writer. Following the logic that a piece of media is good because an analysis of its motives says it's good, we should appreciate all the modern movies/tv series/comics/books which are dreadful to watch but check all the boxes when it comes to themes. And yet we don't do that.

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twilightsagawebcomic t1_j2dju1n wrote

I wholeheartedly disagree with you. In my opinion, he may not be everyone (or even most people)’s cup of tea but he is irrefutably a “good writer” by virtue of creating such an intricate and complete piece of writing as TSATF. The book was written to be read 1.5 times and is in many ways a puzzle.

But if by good writer you mean “enjoyable and easy to read” then I guess you’re right. But I find most Faulkner fans find their enjoyment in the analysis and many easter eggs as opposed to the raw narrative.

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laudida t1_j2atnz2 wrote

Yeah I think that's fair. I think that for something to be considered good, it not only has to have important themes or concepts, but the creator has to he able to convey it in a way that's understood. Maybe my reading level is just lower than most people, but I thought his works were just an obtuse slog.

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