I just finished Faulkner's Pulitzer-winning "A Fable."

[DemoTex]

I have read much, if not most, of Faulkner's works. I have never had a problem "understanding" Faulkner, although "The Sound and the Fury" did not completely make sense until I read it a second time (I first read it at age 18).

Faulkner's story about a regimental mutiny on the Western Front near the end of World War 1 is intriguing. But the "wooden bullets" and fake "Archie" (anti-aircraft artillery) were a bit too much for me, having flown in combat myself some four decades ago. But that is just the cover story.

I get all the New Testament imagery of "A Fable", but I don't get the ending. Apparently the body of the corporal (Christ) was recovered for burial in Paris in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (WW-1) at the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile. Right so far? The general (God), father of the corporal (Christ), died and his funeral cortege made its way through Paris, n'est pas?

But who are the maimed Englishman and tall man with the feather in his hat at the end? "Doubting" Thomas and Judas Iscariot? The man with the feather threw down thirty pieces of silver for his meal at the farm house near Verdun (Mary Magdalene's?). Maybe I should have read "A Fable" with a Bible out for reference.

And how does the flash-back to the three-legged race horse in the Old South work? Is the Englishman at the end of the book the horse groom?

Would I recommend this book? Yes, for the anti-war sentiment if nothing else. It is a tough read and one must have a dictionary at hand.

[pscot]

1. I'm rereading Absalom,Absalom

after many years. I've always admired Faulkner, but Í'd forgotten how good he really is. Melville, Twain and Faulkner; the Trinity.

[DemoTex]

2. "Absalom, Absalom!" is probably my favorite Faulkner work.

On Hope v. Hate:
"When you have plenty of good strong hating you don't need hope because the hating will be enough to nourish you."

William Faulkner - Absalom, Absalom!