Books

New York: Boni & Liveright, 1926. First printing. Very good.. First edition of Faulkner's first published novel, a post-WWI story of a wounded aviator's return to his Georgia home. A commercial failure but a distinct critical success, SOLDIERS' PAY was praised by contemporary critics for its examination of the marks left by war on men, and by those men on the women they came home to. Donald Davidson admired it for an interesting "and even an exciting book" in spite of its perplexing modernism; Louis Kronenberger wondered at the "primitive" and "abnormal" characters who make their way in a world "at once pitiful and comic, passionate, tormenting and strange." An unusually attractive copy. 7.5'' x 5''. Original dark blue cloth with yellow lettering. Blue and white decorative endpapers. Lacking dust jacket. 319, [1] pages. Light edgewear and rubbing to boards.

"Soldiers' Pay" by William Faulkner explores the post-World War I landscape through the experiences of returning soldiers grappling with the harrowing effects of war trauma. The narrative orbits around Captain Donald Mahon, whose physical injuries and emotional scars from the war have left him disillusioned and estranged from his pre-war existence. Mahon's return to his hometown of Jefferson, Mississippi, reveals the stark contrast between his altered self and the unchanged community around him. His struggles with the horrors of war, coupled with the inability to reintegrate into civilian life, manifest in his strained relationships and emotional detachment. The novel intertwines Mahon's story with those of other characters, notably Joe Gilligan, a fellow soldier whose loyalty and friendship become a lifeline for Mahon amidst his inner turmoil. The narrative also explores the impact of war on Mahon's family and acquaintances, reflecting the broader societal effects of the war's aftermath. Faulkner delves deep into the psychological toll of war, portraying themes of loss, disillusionment, and the haunting memories that haunt soldiers long after the conflict ends. The novel serves as a poignant commentary on the challenges faced by returning veterans and the difficulties they encounter in reconciling their wartime experiences with civilian life. Through evocative prose and multi-layered characters, Faulkner paints a compelling portrait of a generation grappling with the aftermath of war, exploring the themes of trauma, alienation, and the search for meaning and connection in a world forever altered by the ravages of conflict. "Soldiers' Pay" stands as a powerful testament to the human cost of war and the profound impact it leaves on those who bear its scars.

A Boni & Liveright first edition of 'Soldiers' Pay' can be identified by its dark green cloth cover with a lighter green cloth spine, and the presence of 'Boni & Liveright' on the spine and title page, along with the absence of additional printings mentioned.