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Federico DN's Reviews > Three Famous Short Novels: Spotted Horses / Old Man / The Bear

Three Famous Short Novels by William Faulkner
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did not like it
bookshelves: classics

Disastrous!

A collection of stories by renowned William Faulkner with three of his most iconic novellas, or so I read somewhere. Another of those little books found in the dusty family’s bookcase.

Man I HATED this with all my heart! Faulkner may be one of the most acclaimed and accomplished classical authors of all time but dang, he’s insufferable as hell! His style of writing is one of the hardest I’ve ever sampled; absurdly florid, impossibly contrived and most of it highly inconsequential at best; with an astounding amount of indiscernible characters as well. The dude apparently hates using full stop, since his sentences can sometimes take as long as a full page with dozens of commas, semicolons, parenthesis and whatever punctuation is out there except a f*cking dot! I really tried to concentrate hard at the beginning of each story but after a few pages I just couldn’t take it anymore and started skimming like a bandit. He also uses the N word way too often, which may be very pertaining to the era it was written but still more than enough to be considerably grating after a while, and easily noticeable even skimming like crazy.

Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh.

The Meh :
★★☆☆� “The Bear.� (view spoiler)
★★☆☆� “Old Man.� [1.5]
★☆☆☆� “Spotted Horses.�

If you already know and enjoy Faulkner “The Bear� and “Old Man� should be good I guess. The general plot of these stories was decent enough, I just couldn’t stomach the guy. There’s even a movie for “Old Man� (1997) which I may watch someday; once I can forget this god awful aftertaste.

After this outstandingly horrible experience I’d normally say I’d never EVER read Faulkner again in my life, but I would be lying since I already have his “As I Lay Dying� book which I also “borrowed� from my parent’s bookcase. And of course it would be far simpler to just surreptitiously return the book unread; but dang it I can’t help it, I’m too curious. I’m too dedicated. I’m too STUPID.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1958] [320p] [Collection] [1.5] [HIGHLY Not Recommendable]
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★★★☆� A Rose for Emily [2.5]
★☆☆☆� Three Famous Short Novels: Spotted Horses / Old Man / The Bear [1.5]

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¡ٱٰDz!

Una colección de historias por el renombrado William Faulkner con tres de sus más icónicas novelas cortas, o eso leí en algún lado. Otro de esos pequeños libros hallados en la polvorienta estantería familiar.

¡Dios cómo ODIE esto con todo mi corazón! Faulkner puede ser uno de los más aclamados y laureados autores clásicos de todos los tiempos pero diablos, ¡es condenadamente insufrible! Su estilo de escritura es uno de los más complejos que alguna vez probé; absurdamente florido, imposiblemente artificial y la mayor parte de altamente inconsecuente cuando mucho; con una perturbadora cantidad de personajes indiscernibles también. El tipo aparentemente odia usar el punto y aparte, ya que sus oraciones a veces pueden tomar tanto como una página entera con docenas de comas, punto y comas, paréntesis y cualquier tipo de puntuación excepto un m*ldito punto. Realmente traté de concentrarme mucho al principio de cada historia pero después de unas pocas páginas simplemente no podía aguantarlo más y terminé salteando como un bandido. También usa la palabra N con demasiada frecuencia, que tal vez sea muy acorde a la época en que fue escrito pero aun así más que suficiente para ser considerablemente molesto después de pasado un rato, y fácilmente de notar incluso salteando como loco.

Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh.

Lo Meh :
★★☆☆� “El Oso.� (view spoiler)
★★☆☆� “El Viejo.� [1.5]
★☆☆☆� “Caballos Manchados.�

Si ya conocés y disfrutás de Faulkner “El Oso� y “El Viejo� deberían ser buenos supongo. La trama general de estas historias fue suficientemente decente, yo simplemente no pude soportar al flaco. Incluso hay una película para “El Oso� (1997) que puede que vea algún día; cuando llegue a olvidar de este asqueroso sabor de boca.

Después de esta horrorosamente sobresaliente experiencia normalmente diría que nunca JAMAS volvería a leer a Faulkner de nuevo en mi vida, pero estaría mintiendo ya que tengo su libro “Mientras Agonizo� que también tomé “prestado� de la biblioteca de mis viejos. Y por supuesto sería mucho más fácil simplemente subrepticiamente devolver el libro sin leer; pero demonios no puedo evitarlo, soy demasiado curioso. soy demasiado dedicado. soy demasiado ESTUPIDO.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1958] [320p] [Colección] [1.5] [ALTAMENTE No Recomendable]
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Reading Progress

June 29, 2023 – Started Reading
June 29, 2023 – Shelved
June 30, 2023 –
20.0% "Duuuude this is SO BORING!"
July 9, 2023 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 109 (109 new)


message 1: by Debra (new)

Debra That sucks!


Federico DN Debra wrote: "That sucks!"

A bit.


message 3: by Alexandra (new)

Alexandra Ouch. Boring books are so annoying :(


Federico DN Alexandra wrote: "Ouch. Boring books are so annoying :("

I'm skimming like crazy now xD


message 5: by Alexandra (new)

Alexandra So it turned to be disastrous. I'm sorry. On to better things, hopefully?


Federico DN Alexandra wrote: "So it turned to be disastrous. I'm sorry. On to better things, hopefully?"

Definitely not my cuppa, at all. Oh well. Thank you Alexandra :) !


message 7: by Ian (new)

Ian I've never read anything by Faulkner, but I have heard his books can be hard to get to grips with.


message 8: by Federico (last edited Jul 09, 2023 04:45AM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Federico DN Ian wrote: "I've never read anything by Faulkner, but I have heard his books can be hard to get to grips with."

To put it mildly Ian! I've read many classics and this one would easily rank on top of the hard to get to grips with.


message 9: by Deeksha (new)

Deeksha Bhardwaj Hope your next read is better, Federico😄


Federico DN Deeksha wrote: "Hope your next read is better, Federico😄"

Thank you Deeksha :) !


message 11: by Srivalli (new)

Srivalli Rekha 😂😂 Sorry but not sorry. Your review is too entertaining to not laugh. I hope you find a better book next. And maybe not read his other book anytime soon. ;)


Sarah 🥀⛓️ I’ve heard his work is questionable lol I just never got around to checking it out! But I agree with Srivalli, that review was hilarious! You’re bound to find a better book next!


message 13: by inciminci (new)

inciminci Good thing he's dead already, because otherwise you would have killed him with this review 😆 Fair and honest Fede!


message 14: by Federico (last edited Jul 09, 2023 06:27AM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Federico DN Srivalli wrote: "😂😂 Sorry but not sorry. Your review is too entertaining to not laugh. I hope you find a better book next. And maybe not read his other book anytime soon. ;)"

Thank you Srivalli! I put it near the bottom of my physical books pile so doubt it'll be anytime soon xD


message 15: by owlette (new)

owlette I totally relate to that feeling of “I hated one book by this author, but I still have more books by him/her on my bookshelf to get through …� It’s happened to me with Jeanette Wintersen


Federico DN Sarah wrote: "I’ve heard his work is questionable lol I just never got around to checking it out! But I agree with Srivalli, that review was hilarious! You’re bound to find a better book next!"

Thank you Sarah! I dread the day you have to see it with your own eyes but at least you can be prepared of what to expect :p


Federico DN inciminci wrote: "Good thing he's dead already, because otherwise you would have killed him with this review 😆 Fair and honest Fede!"

Lol. May he rest in peace pieces. Thank you Inci!


Federico DN owlette wrote: "I totally relate to that feeling of “I hated one book by this author, but I still have more books by him/her on my bookshelf to get through …� It’s happened to me with Jeanette Wintersen"

Thank you Owlette! Oh never heard about Jeanette Wintersen! Hope I never run into one of her works or my curiosity might get the better of me xD


message 19: by Shey (new)

Shey Your determination to accurately portray your suffering in this review compels us to suffer along with you. 😄 I hope your next read is great, and if not, at least better. :)


message 20: by Federico (last edited Jul 09, 2023 07:17AM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Federico DN Shey wrote: "Your determination to accurately portray your suffering in this review compels us to suffer along with you. 😄 I hope your next read is great, and if not, at least better. :)"

Wish the suffering is over but I still have the other one, now at the bottom of the pile ofc xD. Thank you Shey! I'm positive it'll be better, I mean it can't get any worse than this lol.


message 21: by Karen (new)

Karen Oh no! A glutton for punishment, eh? 🙂 I just finished a 500 page 1-star book for my book club. But if it wasn't for book club I would never have finished it! Thanks for taking a hit for us, Federico!


Federico DN Karen wrote: "Oh no! A glutton for punishment, eh? 🙂 I just finished a 500 page 1-star book for my book club. But if it wasn't for book club I would never have finished it! Thanks for taking a hit for us, Federico!"

Lol. Thank you Karen! Anytime. I live to serve :)


message 23: by Tina (new)

Tina Oh man his style of writing and punctuation does not seem like it's for me either!!!!


message 24: by Dmitri (new)

Dmitri Sounds horrible


Federico DN Tina wrote: "Oh man his style of writing and punctuation does not seem like it's for me either!!!!"

Lol. I wish that was the only thing with him xD


Federico DN Dmitri wrote: "Sounds horrible"

Meh guess it could be worse, dunno how but maybe he'll surprise me with the next :p


message 27: by Melissa (new)

Melissa Acquaviva Interestingly, there is another movie they made called The Long Hot Summer in 1958 and a remake for tv in the 80s based on an amalgamation of Spotted Horses, Barn Burning and the novel The Hamlet. That was my introduction and end to Faulkner. I loved the movie so I read the books. The movie was better by far! I feel your pain. I have As I Lay Dying on my TBR list because it was recommended to me as an excellent read, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to open it yet! Maybe we should suffer together and compare notes! 🤣🤣🤣🤣


message 28: by Federico (last edited Jul 09, 2023 09:18AM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Federico DN Melissa wrote: "Interestingly, there is another movie they made called The Long Hot Summer in 1958 and a remake for tv in the 80s based on an amalgamation of Spotted Horses, Barn Burning and the novel The Hamlet. ..."

Gosh! I'm not touching another of his books until next year or later. Looking forward to the movie though. Thank you for the tip Melissa, added it to my TBW. Normally I hate spoiling a book watching the movie first but in this particular case I don't mind. F*ck Faulkner xD.


message 29: by Rouh || رُوح (new)

Rouh || رُوح Omg. That's hilarious. Sorry you had a bad read. Good luck with next one. And this dusty family bookcase is practically a mirror to the era. Wow keep digging through it. 😅🌹


message 30: by Federico (last edited Jul 09, 2023 09:47AM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Federico DN Rouh | رُوح wrote: "Omg. That's hilarious. Sorry you had a bad read. Good luck with next one. And this dusty family bookcase is practically a mirror to the era. Wow keep digging through it. 😅🌹"

Thank you Rouh! Several dozens left at least, but gladly no more Faulkner. I checked xD.


message 31: by Fran (new)

Fran Bummer, Federico! My crystal ball will unveil a five star read!👍


Rosh (Off GR duty for a fortnight!) Confession: I laughed too hard at your review! :D :D :D
Apologies for laughing at your suffering, but at least you spread some smiles with this review, Feddie. I hope your next read allows you to forget this mess soon. <3
PS: That cover is disastrous too!


message 33: by Federico (last edited Jul 09, 2023 10:29AM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Federico DN Fran wrote: "Bummer, Federico! My crystal ball will unveil a five star read!👍"

That would be too much to ask methinks. Maybe four more like it xD. Thank you Fran :) !


message 34: by Federico (last edited Jul 09, 2023 10:32AM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Federico DN Rosh wrote: "Confession: I laughed too hard at your review! :D :D :D. Apologies for laughing at your suffering, but at least you spread some smiles with this review, Feddie. I hope your next read allows you to f..."

Thank you Rosh! I try to make the best of it so if I can save others from it then great, and if I can make them laugh a bit then even better lol :D


message 35: by Barbara (new)

Barbara It's hard to admit you can't stand a writer that is highly proclaimed. I admire your honesty, Federico. I read one Faulkner book in college and haven't gone back to see if my older self would enjoy his writing more, or even a little. The absence of the "f*cking dot" was problematic for me too. We can't love them all!


message 36: by Donna (new)

Donna The dude apparently hates using full stop, since his sentences can sometimes take as long as a full page with dozens of commas, semicolons, parenthesis and whatever punctuation is out there except a f*cking dot!" I. Am. Cackling. So enjoyed this review!


Federico DN Barbara wrote: "It's hard to admit you can't stand a writer that is highly proclaimed. I admire your honesty, Federico. I read one Faulkner book in college and haven't gone back to see if my older self would enjoy..."

Thank you Barbara! Can't I love Faulkner at all lol. I do hear some questions are better left unanswered but it's your time so I'll leave it up to you xD


Federico DN Donna wrote: "The dude apparently hates using full stop, since his sentences can sometimes take as long as a full page with dozens of commas, semicolons, parenthesis and whatever punctuation is out there except ..."

Thank you Donna! I wish I was exaggerating but he really does that lol.


message 39: by Carmen (new)

Carmen Great review.


Federico DN Carmen wrote: "Great review."

Thank you Carmen !


message 41: by Dann (new)

Dann XD Skipping this one then


Federico DN Dann wrote: "XD Skipping this one then"

Absolutely lol :)


message 43: by Thibault (new)

Thibault Busschots "his sentences can sometimes take as long as a full page"
Oh man. Those are some ridiculously long sentences.

Honest review, Federico. Hope your next read will be better :)


Federico DN Thibault wrote: ""his sentences can sometimes take as long as a full page" Oh man. Those are some ridiculously long sentences.
Honest review, Federico. Hope your next read will be better :)"


Not kidding lol. Thank you Thibault :) !


message 45: by Nora (new)

Nora Currie I’m so sorry that this didn’t work out for you, Federico. Thanks so much for sharing your honest opinion about the stories. I’m not a huge William Faulkner fan myself.


• Lindsey Dahling • WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF? WHYYYY? Do not look at any more dusty bookshelves. Avert your eyes. Avoid the temptation. As I Lay Dying will go about as you expect. Meaning, you’ll become the title while reading it. (I “read� it at university. Meaning, I read a few chapters, napped, read a few, napped, skimmed the rest. Wanted to die. The end.) But, you borrowed the book, so I know you must read it. It wish you luck on this endeavor. 🫡


Federico DN Nora wrote: "I’m so sorry that this didn’t work out for you, Federico. Thanks so much for sharing your honest opinion about the stories. I’m not a huge William Faulkner fan myself."

Thank you Nora! Not a fan either. He's too... Faulkner.


Federico DN � Lindsey Dahling � wrote: "WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF? WHYYYY? Do not look at any more dusty bookshelves. Avert your eyes. Avoid the temptation. As I Lay Dying will go about as you expect. Meaning, you’ll become the titl..."

Thank you for the heads up Lindsey! I remember you telling me 'A Rose for Emily' was the only time he was tolerable and I'm thinking you were absolutely right. I'm going to try "As I Lay Dying" in spanish just to see if it makes any difference at all. Anyway, he's now almost at the bottom of my physical book pile so don't worry won't have to suffer him again until a few years at least xD


message 49: by Zainab (new)

Zainab Qadeer - Hiatus till May Aww i hope your next read amazing federico and when the writing style is bad it becomes a hard read and ha ha i have the same problem im too curious too or like you said stupid ❤️‍�


Federico DN Zainab wrote: "Aww i hope your next read amazing federico and when the writing style is bad it becomes a hard read and ha ha i have the same problem im too curious too or like you said stupid ❤️‍�"

We are two terribly stubborn readers. God help us lol. Thank you Zainab :) !


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