Review: 'As I Lay Dying' by William Faulkner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

'As I Lay Dying' by William Faulkner, 261 pages - Instagram @c_reads_books

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As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner recounts the harrowing journey the Bundren family takes across the Mississippi countryside to bury matriarch Addie. Over the days-long trip to Jefferson to fulfil Addie’s dying wish, countless obstacles arise, making the odyssey even more intense. Narrated in turn by each of the family members, as well as members of the community, the mood of the story ranges from dark comedy to crushing sorrow.

Having never read anything by Faulkner before, I didn’t know what to expect in this book, but I found the story captivating. Switching the narrator with each chapter added an intriguing and unique twist without disrupting the flow of the story, making it easy and interesting to read. The plot was similar to Death is Hard Work by Khaled Khalifa, and to be honest, I completely preferred the latter. Although As I Lay Dying was interesting and easy to read, I didn’t feel all that invested in any of the characters, which made me care less about the story overall. The ending, though not bad in of itself, even furthered my dislike of some of the characters, somewhat souring my opinion of the book. Overall, this book, though not my favorite book ever, was easy and interesting to read, and I recommend it to anyone who likes stories that feel like an odyssey / journey!