William Faulkner and the Tangible Past: The Architecture of Yoknapatawpha (California Studies in the History of Art)

About this book

The world of William Faulkner is seen from a new perspective in Thomas Hiness imaginative and many-faceted study. Hines assesses the impact of the built environment on Faulkners consciousness and shows how the architecture of the writers fictional county of Yoknapatawpha reflects the actual architecture of Oxford Mississippi and neighboring areas. Over 110 distinctive photographs in both color and black-and-white beautifully complement the text making this book both a reading and viewing pleasure. Much has been written on the role of nature in Faulkners work but architecture and the built environmentthe opposite of naturehave been virtually ignored. Arguing that nature and architecture are of equal importance in Faulkners cosmos Hines examines the writers use of architectural modesprimitive classical gothic and modernto demarcate caste and class to convey mood and ambience and to delineate character. Hines provides not only another way of understanding Faulkners work but also a means of appreciating the power of architecture to reflect what Faulkner called "the comedy and tragedy of being alive." Hiness gifts as an architectural historian and photographer and his intimate knowledge of Faulkner country are evident throughout this handsome book. Combining cultural intellectual architectural and literary history William Faulkner and the Tangible Past will take Faulkner lovers as well as lovers of architecture on a fascinating tour of Yoknapatawpha County.