Flags in the Dust: The Complete Text of Faulkner's Third Novel, Which Appeared in a Cut Version as Sartoris

This is one of Faulkner's better novels. Faulkner's works are hard to read however this work is easier to read and follow.

I love those works of art which bridge two eras; in music the early Schoenberg in "Death and Transfiguration", and all of Mahler; "Sartoris" is a literary example. Here you can see the developing Faulkner stylistically acknowledging some 19th century mentors in the exquisite descriptive chapters which open the book. A beautifully appropriate style in which to convey nostalgia for that period. It is rather heartbreaking that F. stopped writing like this, but I suppose he had to move on... I have not read the uncut version entitled "Flags in the Dust" but have a feeling, based on some reviews here, that the novel might be more enjoyable as "Sartoris"; from what I have read so far, it is not verbose at all, but really a gemlike work indicative of his debt to the great masters Zola, Flaubert, Eliot, Bronte, etc...like some recently recut old movies I've seen recently, sometimes it's just better the first time around.

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and express my feelings about Flags in the Dust using simple English. I took a course on Faulkner, and this was the novel I absolutely loved reading. I was frustratingly mystified by Sound and the Fury(particularly by all the accolades it has received), disgusted and disturbed by The Light in August, and had at least some admiration for Absalom, Absalom. Several reviewers describe this as "young" Faulkner or "developing" Faulkner - well, for me, this is Faulkner before the copious self-conscious devices - and seems far more genuine than his other novels. There it is - now I can only await the flood of "non-helpful" votes. It was worth it though.

Though not as complex and difficult as some of his more famous works, Flags in the Dust provides some outstanding writing. It may benefit some to read The Unvanquished prior to this book as it gives some background on the Sartoris family, the main focus of Flags. Many of Faulkner's descriptions in this book are uncanny. I would have only given this book four stars, but his two-page description of the mule was alone worth one more star.

While excessively verbose (though one its outstanding features) 'Flags in the Dust' is a requisite early read for the serious Faulkner reader. If you must, read 'Sartoris' which is 'Flags in the Dust' with 80 or so pages edited out. If you just want a taste of Faulkner and aren't too serious, go for some of the more well-known works. If you want to understand Faulkner, you must familiarize yourself with him through such works as 'Flags in the Dust', 'Sanctuary', and 'Unvanquished'. If you jump right to 'The Mansion', or 'The Sound and the Fury' or 'Absalom, Absalom!' you will miss much.