As I Lay Dying

'I could just remember how my father used to say that the reason for living was to get ready to stay dead a long time.' First published in 1930, As I Lay Dying is largely considered one of William Faulkner's greatest works and is frequently ranked among the best novels of the twentieth century. A deeply ambitious and compelling Southern gothic, As I Lay Dying follows the tale of the Bundren family as they journey to bury their late matriarch, Addie, in her hometown of Jefferson, Mississippi. Told through a rich cast of characters and beautifully crafted episodes which pioneer the stream-of-consciousness technique, Faulkner gradually unveils the inner monologues of each family member, detailing their internal conflicts, perceptions of each other, and motivations – both selfish and noble. A profound recount of an unravelling family that is by turns darkly comic and emotionally devastating, As I Lay Dying intricately explores what lies at the core of grief, identity and the harshness of rural living. William Faulkner (1897 – 1962) was an American novelist and short story writer. Born in Mississippi, Faulkner is widely regarded as one of the best writers of Southern United States literature. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949, and his works are still greatly admired today.