Faulkner Typewriter, taken by G. J. Charlet III
Destination: New Orleans
Book: New Orleans Sketches by William Faulkner
As I indicated in an earlier post, William Faulkner did not spend a great deal of time in New Orleans. He was a young writer switching from poetry to fiction writing when he took an apartment in what is now Faulkner House Books. He wrote short pieces that the New Orleans Times-Picayune published, back in the day when newspapers printed literature as well as news. Those pieces have been gathered in the book called New Orleans Sketches.
Faulkner made $4 a piece for the sketches he sold to the Times-Picayune, but earned much more in the practice of development of description and characters.
Any afficiando of Faulkner’s work will enjoy seeing his beginnings. On the other hand, if his complexity has flummoxed you as a reader, you may find enjoyment in these simpler pieces.
At any rate, you will see an interesting picture of New Orleans circa 1925.
Are you a Faulkner fan or does he mystify you? Let us know.
Don’t miss our other articles about New Orleans:
Classic New Orleans Restaurant
Tags: author, Faulkner, New Orleans, Travel
I’m still stumped by Faulkner, but I’m not giving up! I think short stories or sketches might be a better place to start.
Not really a Faulkner comment, but just wanted to tell folks I think James Lee Burke does a fabulous job in capturing the spirit of Bayou country. When I read his work . . . I am there. Especially love Black Cherry Blues.
Twitter: pen4hire
says:
These short sketches are somewhat different than the mature Faulkner. If it is any consolation, I have several half-read Faulkner’s on my shelf. I think I need a coach to help me through them. (Traveler’s Bro, are you listening?)