|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Old Man, by William Faulkner
A recommendation from the excellent
By The Book interview with
NPR's Steve Inskeep, this story by Faulkner was an interesting study in how
a prisoner might tend to value their stable incarceration over the wild
and unknown outside world. Knowing little else besides 3 square meals a day
and honest work in the field, when the tall prisoner is thrown into a chaotic
situation due to a massive flood, all he wants is to get himself, the boat they
gave him, and the woman they told him to go help, back to his authorities. All
he wants is to surrender, why is that so hard?!
Written in a style that was different from Faulkners shorter stories, as if being
told by the convict to his fellows after the adventure has passed, there are many
instances of long parenthetical remarks which take some getting used to but eventually
feel like part of the ride. The extended description of unending paddleing through the
thrashing flood water felt a little unending, but I suppose that was by design. Overall
an interesting work by Faulkner, and I should read some more of his book-length
stories to get a feel for how this fits in with them. Inskeep touts this as his favorite
book that no one has heard of! So definitely worth checking out for yourself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
