In 'As I Lay Dying,' William Faulkner weaves a haunting tale of a family's harrowing journey to fulfill a dying wish. The Bundren family sets out to transport their matriarch's corpse to her hometown of Jefferson, facing nature's fury and personal demons along the way. Told through multiple perspectives, each character grapples with their own grief, motivations, and secrets. This Southern Gothic novel confronts themes of death, identity, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Can they overcome their differences and reach their destination, or will their journey unravel them?
By William Faulkner
Published: 1991
"I give you my hand, I give you my heart, I give my love to you; but the cold earth is all that is left of our journey, and the weight of this world is heavy on our souls."
A true 20th-century classic: Faulkner’s famed harrowing account of the Bundren family’s odyssey across the Mississippi countryside to bury Addie, their wife and mother. As I Lay Dying is one of the most influential novels in American fiction in structure, style, and drama. Narrated in turn by each of the family members, including Addie herself as well as others, the novel ranges in mood from dark comedy to the deepest pathos. “I set out deliberately to write a tour-de-force. Before I ever put pen to paper and set down the first word I knew what the last word would be and almost where the last period would fall.” —William Faulkner on As I Lay Dying This edition reproduces the corrected text of As I Lay Dying as established in 1985 by Noel Polk.
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“I give you my hand, I give you my heart, I give my love to you; but the cold earth is all that is left of our journey, and the weight of this world is heavy on our souls.”
As I Lay Dying
By William Faulkner
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William Faulkner (1897-1962) was an American author known for his complex narratives and innovative writing style, which often included stream of consciousness and fragmented timelines. He is celebrated for his deep exploration of Southern culture and the human condition. Faulkner’s notable works include 'The Sound and the Fury,' 'As I Lay Dying,' and 'Light in August,' each reflecting his profound understanding of character and place. His literary contributions earned him two Nobel Prizes in Literature, establishing him as one of the most significant writers of the 20th century.
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