53 pages • 1 hour read
William FaulknerA Fable
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A Fable, set during World War I, follows an unplanned truce orchestrated by 3,000 French soldiers, led by a Jesus-like corporal, leading to a temporary cessation of fighting along the western front. The truce angers military leaders, who arrest the 13 orchestrators. The corporal's identity and fate mirror the story of Jesus Christ. The novel includes depictions of graphic violence and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
A Fable by William Faulkner presents a challenging yet rewarding read that intertwines the complexities of World War I with heavy allegorical themes. Critics praise its ambitious scope and masterful prose, reflecting Faulkner's profound narrative ability. However, some find the intricate structure overly dense and the pacing uneven. Overall, it stands as a profound, if occasionally taxing, literary work.
Who Should Read A Fable?
A reader who would enjoy A Fable by William Faulkner is likely to appreciate complex narratives and themes exploring moral and philosophical issues. Fans of Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls and Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four would find Faulkner's intricate storytelling and symbolic depth captivating.