Subject
Mississippi -- Fiction Books
Best books
William Faulkner
The sound and the fury
"The sound and the fury" by William Faulkner is a novel published in 1929. The story follows the declining Compson family of Jefferson, Mississippi, told through multiple perspectives including stream of consciousness narration. The family consists of three brothers—Quentin, Benjamin, and Jason—and their sister Caddy, along with their black servant Dilsey. Through fragmented narratives spanning childhood trauma to adult consequences, the novel explores family decay, disability, honor, and loss across different time periods in the early twentieth century.
Charles Egbert Craddock
The fair Mississippian
"The fair Mississippian" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set on an isolated Mississippi River plantation, it follows Edward Desmond, a brilliant but newly impoverished scholar who becomes tutor to the wealthy widow Honoria Faurie’s three sons. The story promises class friction, wounded pride, and a possible attraction between tutor and mistress, threaded through with a local “haunting” and the social theatrics of neighboring planters. The opening of the novel shows Desmond’s fall from promise after his father’s death and his reluctant arrival at Great Oaks, where Mr. Stanlett’s tactless chatter about Honoria’s fortune (tied to widowhood) and a parrot’s mocking song sharpen Desmond’s sense of humiliation. He meets the unexpectedly young and commanding Honoria, then lies awake to hear furtive footsteps on the stairs; Reginald explains the household’s ghostly legend. At breakfast Honoria’s birthday and Chub’s earnest “trading‑boat” gift reveal the family’s dynamics. Desmond asserts discipline, vetoing a holiday, choosing the library as a schoolroom, and quelling globe‑spinning and sulks; he spars with Reginald over the value of Greek and begins to win a measure of order while spending his nights reading and writing in solitude. As winter wears on, neighbors Colonel and Mrs. Kentopp arrive; Desmond even resists being summoned mid‑lessons, signaling the boundaries he intends to keep.
Opie Percival Read
Bolanyo
"Bolanyo" by Opie Percival Read is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows the journey of Maurice Belford, a struggling actor from the National Dramatic Company, who finds himself amidst personal and professional turmoil following a disastrous performance and a tragic steamboat explosion. The narrative delves into themes of ambition, camaraderie, and the complexities of artistic expression, all rooted in the rich tapestry of Southern life. The opening of "Bolanyo" introduces us to Maurice Belford as he reflects on his acting career after closing a show in New Orleans. Faced with the harsh criticism of his performance and feeling the strain of competition within his acting troupe, he grapples with issues of self-worth and artistic integrity. After the explosion thrusts him into the river, the story transitions to his recovery, where he meets key figures including Senator Talcom and Mrs. Estell, hinting at deeper personal entanglements and ambitions yet to unfold. This setup establishes not only the protagonist's struggles but also the vibrant world of Bolanyo, setting the stage for explorations of both personal growth and the dynamics of the theatre.
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