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As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics)

As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics) Paperback - 1970

by William Faulkner


About this book

William Faulkner claimed to have written As I Lay Dying, his fifth novel, in just six weeks — with very little revision — while working at power plant in 1929. While this sounds impressive in and of itself, also consider the fact that this novel has 15 different narrators throughout its 59 chapters and has consistently been recognized as one of the greatest works of the American literature.

As I Lay Dying is the first book in which Faulkner introduces Yoknapatawpha County, a fictional rendition of his native Lafayette County, Mississippi, which became the setting for some of his best-known works. The author’s self-described “tour de force” follows the death of Addie Bundren and her family’s various notions regarding her burial requests and their journey to Jefferson, in the heart of the county, to fulfill them. Poverty, bad weather, injury, and pregnancy are just some of the hindrances faced along the way. Fittingly, the title of the novel comes from a line in Homer’s The Odyssey: “As I lay dying, the woman with the dog's eyes would not close my eyes as I descended into Hades.”

Along with The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying helped to secured Faulkner’s stance as a pioneer of the stream-of-consciousness technique, joining the ranks with James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. In vernacular that echoes Mark Twain, the characters of the novel are able to develop gradually through the perceptions of others. Though this requires readers to take an active part in constructing the story, it also allows for multiple, and sometimes, conflicting interpretations.

Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949 for his novels prior to that date, which includes As I Lay Dying. The novel has also directly influenced a number of other critically acclaimed books, including Graham Swift’s Booker prize-winning novel Last Orders and Suzan-Lori Parks’ Getting Mother’s Body, an African-American retelling of the story. As I Lay Dying is ranked 35th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century and 55th on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best novels. The Grammy-nominated metalcore band As I Lay Dying derived its name from this book as well. In 2014, writer/director James Franco released a film adaptation of the novel.

First line

Jewel and I come up from the field, following the path in single file.

First Edition Identification

Jonathan Cape & Harrison Smith first published As I Lay Dying in New York in 1930. The first edition states “First Published 1930” on the copyright page with no additional printings listed and includes an “I” aligned incorrectly on page 11. The dust jack of the first edition states the original price of $2.50 on its front flap. True first editions have sold for upwards of $6,000 — and can go for as much as $12,000 with Faulkner’s signature.

Details

  • Title As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics)
  • Author William Faulkner
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 208
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Putnam~trade, London
  • Date January 1, 1970
  • ISBN 9780140019407
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As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics)

by William Faulkner

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Paperback
ISBN 13
9780140019407
ISBN 10
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As I Lay Dying

by Faulkner, William

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As I Lay Dying

by Faulkner, William

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9780140019407
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US: Modern Library / Vintage, 2000. Modern Library / Vintage 2000 Good/ Printed in 1957 by Vintage Books. Plain age toned white cover with some pen marks on front. Previous owner's sticker and stamp inside cover, tight tanned pages with an occassional pen mark. Size: 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 x 5/8 inches.. Mass Market Paperback. Good.
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As I Lay Dying (Sin and Salvation)

by Faulkner, William

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CollectibleGood. VINTAGE 1964, (V254), mild edge reading wear/tears on cover. binding cocked. Good solid paperback with moderate reading/age wear, may have some light markings, pages may have some mild tanning. We take great pride in accurately describing the condition of our books and media, ship within 48 hours, and offer a 100% money back guarantee. Customers purchasing more than one item from us may be entitled to a shipping discount.
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by William Faulkner

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As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics)

As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics)

by Faulkner, William

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ISBN 13
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As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics)

As I Lay Dying (Modern Classics)

by Faulkner, William

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Used - Acceptable
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Paperback
ISBN 13
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ISBN 10
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As I Lay Dying (Sin and Salvation)

by Faulkner, William

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ISBN 13
9780140019407
ISBN 10
0140019405
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