So Faulkner's writing is getting you down. His plots aren't chronological; his sentences go on for pages; and what the heck is going on in the "Benjy" section of The Sound and the Fury? Don't fret. I've gathered some helpful advice from pre-eminent Faulkner scholars as well as thoughts from my own modest experience on how to read and enjoy these densely layered stories.

**Primarily, it is important to realize that immediate comprehension is not necessary. Dr. Joseph Urgo, a Faulkner scholar at the University of Mississippi explains that we must "suspend our need to understand and to surrender ourselves to the experience." Although this idea does not seem immediately helpful, a more relaxed approach to the reading can lessen the frustration and fear of a Faulkner assignment. He IS difficult. Almost nobody understands him immediately.

**To elaborate on this point, Dr. Urgo encourages, "Don't worry about feeling confused." The bottom line is that Faulkner is one of the most complicated writers of this century. Moreover, in many cases, Faulkner wants you to be confused. Several of his novels including Absalom, Absalom, Intruder in the Dust, and Requiem for a Nun have mystery style plots. Like in the most simplistic detective novel, you are not supposed to understand until the end.

**Dr. Donald Kartiganer, also of the University of Mississippi, points out that many of Faulkner's novels deal with the same cast of characters: the people of his mythical land, Yoknapatawpha County. It is often helpful to pay attention to the history of this fictional land, to look at the intersecting characters, and to read related novels in their fictional chronological order. For instance, The Sound and the Fury and Absalom, Absalom both have Quentin Compson as a main character, and it can be beneficial to read The Sound and the Fury before Absalom, Absalom. Similarly, Sanctuary comes before Requiem for a Nun. The Unvanquished comes before Flags in the Dust. The Faulknerian trilogy progresses from The Hamlet to The Town and then toThe Mansion. Moreover, I found this great webpage with character genealogies that can help you understand the various reappearing families:

http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~egjbp/faulkner/gen-index.html

**Dr. Donald Kartiganer also offers this interesting point: consider Faulkner to be a "vertical writer" rather than a "horizontal writer." Faulkner is not the kind of writer you can rush through from cover to cover, or horizontally. You have to give yourself time to think about his ideas, the "vertical" element of his writing. So think while you are reading; don't just idly flip through the pages.

**One of the tricks I have picked up after a summer of immersing myself in Faulkner is to read his more difficult passages out loud. Much of Faulkner's narration comes from a story-telling tradition, and even the long, winding sentences begin to make sense when read out loud, conversationally, as Faulkner intended them. Eventually, you will become familiar enough with the rhythms and the patterns of Faulkner's writing to be able to enjoy the books silently as well!

**Finally, and this is the most important piece of advice yet: don't be afraid to read his stories again! Often his novels make a lot more sense the second time through. For instance, the first time I read The Sound and the Fury, I had no idea what was going on in the "Benjy" or "Quentin" sections. However, when I reread the novel, the first two chapters came into complete focus in light of the conclusion. So allot yourself enough time to read his novels, or even short stories, at least twice! It will be worth it when the comprehension finally hits!