Light in August (1932)
"Light in August" is a novel by William Faulkner, published in 1932. It is set in the fictional town of Jefferson, Mississippi, and tells the story of several characters whose lives intersect in complex and often tragic ways. The central character is a young man named Joe Christmas, who is of mixed race and struggles to find his place in a society that is deeply divided along racial lines. The novel explores themes of identity, racism, and the human capacity for violence. It is known for its distinctive narrative style, which employs multiple points of view and a nonlinear timeline. It has received widespread critical acclaim for its portrayal of the complicated inner lives of its characters and its portrayal of the social and racial tensions of the American South.