Absalom, Absalom!
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1833, Thomas Sutpen arrives in Jefferson, Mississippi, with nothing and sets out to build a dynasty: a plantation, a mansion and a family. His design is destroyed by his own sons. A century later, young Quentin Compson pieces the story together from fragments, rumors and his own imagination, haunted by Sutpen and by the history of the South.
Why it's worth reading
It's in the Bokklubben World Library of the 100 greatest books, and many critics consider it Faulkner's masterpiece. It's an overwhelming novel about race, family and how the past refuses to stay buried.
You'll love it if you liked
The Sound and the Fury, Light in August or Beloved
Good to know
It's famously difficult: long sentences, shifting narrators and a story told out of order. Reading slowly, or with a guide, pays off.
Quick answers
Is Absalom, Absalom! worth reading?
Yes. It's in the Bokklubben World Library of the 100 greatest books, and many critics consider it Faulkner's masterpiece. It ranks #563 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 77.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Absalom, Absalom! about?
In 1833, Thomas Sutpen arrives in Jefferson, Mississippi, with nothing and sets out to build a dynasty: a plantation, a mansion and a family. His design is destroyed by his own sons. A century later, young Quentin Compson pieces the story together from fragments, rumors and his own imagination, haunted by Sutpen and by the history of the South.
How long does it take to read Absalom, Absalom!?
About 8 hours (306 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Absalom, Absalom!?
If you liked it, try The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner, Light in August by William Faulkner or Beloved by Toni Morrison.
By the numbers
- Readers77 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics55 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller24 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
On the Bokklubben World Library (100 greatest books) list.
Where it ranks
On the lists
- Bokklubben World Library (100 greatest books)
Reads as
Thought-provoking
More by William Faulkner
Light in August
The Sound and the Fury
As I Lay DyingIf you like this, read next
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
The Color Purple
1984
The Lord of the Rings
A Brief History of Time