Meet New Books

Books Like...

"Light in August" by William Faulkner is a complex novel exploring themes of race, identity, and morality in the American South. The story follows characters like Joe Christmas, Lena Grove, and Reverend Hightower, whose lives are intertwined and shaped by societal biases and personal struggles. Faulkner's writing style is described as faultless, poetic, and elegantly portraying happiness, despair, and darkness. The book delves deep into the inner lives of its characters, highlighting their obsessions and the impact of racial bias on their past, present, and future.

The novel is praised for its powerful storytelling, nuanced exploration of race, and tragic characters with dark secrets and delusional beliefs. Faulkner's writing is commended for its stylistic innovation, moral statements conveyed through character actions, and its scathing honesty in depicting the effects of racism on both whites and blacks in the postbellum South. Despite some challenges in readability and complexity, "Light in August" is recognized as a significant work that offers a compelling narrative and profound insights into the human condition.

If you liked Light in August, here are the top 100 books to read next:

Page 1
Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
    Save:

    'As I Lay Dying' by William Faulkner tells the story of the Bundren family as they embark on a journey to honor their matriarch, Addie's, dying wish to be buried in Jefferson. The narrative unfolds through multiple viewpoints, showcasing the family's dysfunctional dynamics and the challenges they face along the way. The novel is known for its dark humor, stream of consciousness narrative style, and the unique voices of each character that provide a fragmented yet compelling portrayal of the Bundrens' journey.

    Jewel and I come up from the field, following the path in single file. Although I am fifteen feet ahead of him, anyone watching us from the cottonhouse can see Jewel's frayed and broken straw hat a fu...

  2. #2

    Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
    Save:

    'Absalom, Absalom!' by William Faulkner is a complex and dense novel that delves into the intertwined histories of the Sutpen and Compson families in the American South. The story is narrated through multiple perspectives, exploring themes of race, class, family legacies, and the impact of the past on the present. Faulkner's writing style is characterized by long, intricate sentences, stream-of-consciousness narration, and a nonlinear structure that challenges readers to piece together the fragmented narrative.

    The novel unfolds as a mystery, slowly revealing the tragic and haunting secrets buried within the families' histories. Faulkner's intricate storytelling weaves together themes of Southern gothic literature, exploring the repercussions of slavery, racism, and personal vendettas across generations. Through his rich and evocative prose, Faulkner creates a vivid portrait of the Deep South, capturing the complexities of human relationships and the enduring legacy of the past on the characters' lives.

    From a little after two o’clock until almost sundown of the long still hot weary dead September afternoon they sat in what Miss Coldfield still called the office because her father had called it that—...

  3. #3

    The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
    Save:

    'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner is a challenging yet rewarding novel that chronicles the decline of an aristocratic Southern family, delving into themes of family dynamics, mental illness, and the burden of Southern history. The book is divided into four sections, each narrated from a different character's perspective, including Benjamin, a severely mentally handicapped son, Quintin, a suicidal Harvard student, and Jason, a resentful younger son, along with an omniscient narrator.

    The writing style of 'The Sound and the Fury' is described as stream of consciousness, with the narrative structure playing with time and structure to create a sense of disorientation and dread. Faulkner's intricate prose weaves together the internal thoughts and experiences of the characters, offering a deep exploration of their lives, relationships, and the slow implosion of their family.

    Through the fence, between the curling flower spaces, I could see them hitting. They were coming toward where the flag was and I went along the fence. Luster was hunting in the grass by the flower tre...

  4. #4

    A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner
    Save:

    'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner is a short story that delves into the mysterious and eerie life of Emily Grierson in the town of Jefferson. The narrative style of the story has been praised for its haunting and captivating nature, drawing readers into the dark and unsettling atmosphere surrounding Emily and her family. The plot unfolds in a non-linear fashion, adding to the suspense and intrigue of the story, with some readers finding it to be a quick and enjoyable read despite its depth.

    Faulkner's writing style in 'A Rose for Emily' has been commended for its unique voice and storytelling approach. The author's ability to create a chilling and creepy ambiance without relying on explicit horror elements has left a lasting impression on readers, making it a standout piece in the genre of Southern Gothic literature. The character development, particularly that of Emily Grierson, has been noted as a highlight, with Faulkner skillfully portraying her as a complex and enigmatic figure that lingers in the minds of readers long after the story ends.

    So THE NEXT day we all said, "She will kill herself"; and we said it would be the best thing. When she had first begun to be seen with Homer Barron, we had said, "She will marry him." Then we said, "S...

  5. #5

    Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor
    Save:

    'Wise Blood' by Flannery O'Connor is a novel that delves into the existential crisis of the characters, particularly Hazel Motes, who returns from the war to create a new religion, The Church of God Without Christ. The story follows Motes as he navigates through a world filled with bizarre and unlikable characters, all set in a Southern gothic backdrop. The writing style is described as direct, disturbing, and darkly comic, drawing parallels to authors like Cormac McCarthy and Nathanael West.

    Hazel Motes sat at a forward angle on the green plush train seat, looking one minute at the window as if he might want to jump out of it, and the next down the aisle at the other end of the car. The t...

  6. #6

    The King of Lies by John Hart
    Save:

    The King of Lies by John Hart is a mystery novel that follows Jackson Workman Pickens, a lawyer in a small Southern town, as he navigates the aftermath of his father's murder. Work believes his troubled sister may be the culprit and goes to great lengths to protect her. The story delves into the dysfunctional dynamics of the Pickens family, with twists and turns revealing unexpected secrets and motives. The narrative is described as a mix of a legal thriller and a family saga, with complex characters and a suspenseful plot that keeps readers engaged until the end.

    I’ve heard it said that jail stinks of despair. What a load. If jail stinks of any emotion, it’s fear: fear of the guards, fear of being beaten or gang-raped, fear of being forgotten by those who once...

  7. #7

    The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor
    Save:

    The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor is a dark Southern Gothic novel that delves into the themes of religious fanaticism, mental health, and the struggle between faith and reason. The story follows 14-year-old Francis Tarwater, who is kidnapped as a baby by his fanatically evangelist uncle and raised to fulfill a prophetic destiny. As Tarwater navigates his indoctrination and grapples with his anti-Christian beliefs, he faces inner turmoil and severe mental health complications. The novel explores the deep-rooted conflict between extreme religion and humanism through its grotesque characters and relentless narrative.

    O'Connor's writing style in The Violent Bear It Away is characterized by powerful prose, vivid imagery, and complex character motivations. The author skillfully weaves together themes of suffering, tragedy, and perseverance, creating a narrative that challenges both secularism and fundamentalism. The book presents a stark and dark portrayal of humanity, filled with insecurities, contradictions, and a lack of redemption, ultimately leaving readers questioning the nature of good and evil, faith and reason.

    FRANCIS MARION TARWATER’S uncle had been dead for only half a day when the boy got too drunk to finish digging his grave and a Negro named Buford Munson, who had come to get a jug filled, had to finis...

  8. #8

    Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
    Save:

    Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward is a heartbreaking and emotional novel that follows the story of a young boy named Jojo, who is responsible for caring for his little sister Kayla while living with their drug-addicted mother and incarcerated father in rural Mississippi. The book delves into themes of family, race, justice, and the impact of historical traumas, as the characters embark on a road trip to pick up their father from prison, encountering ghosts and facing their own struggles along the way. The writing style is described as lyrical, poetic, and haunting, painting a vivid picture of despair and resilience that lingers with the reader long after finishing the book.

    I like to think I know what death is. I like to think that it’s something I could look at straight. When Pop tell me he need my help and I see that black knife slid into the belt of his pants, I follo...

  9. #9

    Twilight by William Gay
    Save:

    In a rural Tennessee town in the 1950s, 'Twilight' by William Gay tells the story of a teen brother and sister seeking revenge on an undertaker who desecrates the dead. The siblings discover the undertaker's dark secret and attempt to blackmail him, leading to a twisted chain of events involving hired killers and a chase through the Harrikin, a heavily wooded area. The prose in the book is described as having a Southern Gothic style, with a lack of punctuation for dialogue adding to the stark and dark atmosphere of the narrative.

    They came up through the stand of cypress that shrouded the graveyard, the pickup hidden off the road in a chertpit clottedwith inkblot bowers of honeysuckle. There were two of them, a young woman and...

  10. #10

    A Death in the Family by James Agee
    Save:

    "A Death in the Family" by James Agee is a poignant exploration of the impact of a father's sudden death on his family, particularly seen through the eyes of his young son, Rufus. The narrative weaves back and forth in time, delving into the thoughts and emotions of each family member as they navigate grief and loss. Agee's writing style is described as beautifully lyrical, evocative, and almost poetic, capturing the raw emotions and confusion surrounding death, religion, and family dynamics.

    The story is set in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1915, where a tragic car accident shatters the domestic happiness of the Follett family. Through intimate portrayals of the characters and evocative descriptions of their emotions, the novel unfolds as a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships in the face of tragedy.

    DEEP IN THE NIGHT they experienced the sensation, in their sleep, of being prodded at, as if by some persistent insect. Their souls turned and flicked out impatient hands, but the tormentor would not ...

Page 1 of 10Next Page