Books

New York: Harrison Smith & Robert Haas, 1932. First edition, first issue, with first printing statement on copyright page, and “Jefferson” for “Mottstown” on page 340, line 1; first-issue binding, lettered in blue and orange. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Petersen A13a; Howard A13.1a; Massey 103. A sharp example. One of William Faulkner’s most admired and accessible novels, Light in August reveals the great American author at the height of his powers. Lena Grove’s resolute search for the father of her unborn child begets a rich, poignant, and ultimately hopeful story of perseverance in the face of mortality. It also acquaints us with several of Faulkner’s most unforgettable characters, including the Reverend Gail Hightower, plagued by visions of Confederate horsemen, and Joe Christmas, a ragged, itinerant soul obsessed with his mixed-race ancestry. Powerfully entwining these characters’ stories, Light in August brings to…

Light in August is a novel by the American author William Faulkner. First published in 1932, the novel is set in Faulkner's fictional Yoknapatawpha County and weaves together several intricate plots. The narrative centers around Joe Christmas, a man of uncertain racial heritage, and explores themes of identity, myth, and racism.