40 pages 1 hour read

William Faulkner

Intruder In The Dust

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1948

A 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

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Intruder In The Dust by William Faulkner follows the story of a black man, Lucas Beauchamp, who is wrongfully accused of murdering a white man, Vinson Gowrie, and the subsequent efforts of a white teenager, Charles Mallison, to prove his innocence by navigating ingrained racial tensions and uncovering the town's hidden truths. This book examines themes of racial injustice and wrongful accusations in mid-twentieth-century southern America.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

William Faulkner's Intruder In The Dust is widely praised for its intricate narrative and deep exploration of racial tensions in the South. Critics laud Faulkner's ability to weave complex characters and moral ambiguity, but some note the prose can be challenging. Despite this, its poignant themes and storytelling make it a compelling read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Intruder In The Dust?

A reader who enjoys Intruder In The Dust by William Faulkner likely appreciates Southern Gothic literature, complex character studies, and themes of race and justice in the American South. Similar audiences might appreciate Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Toni Morrison’s Beloved.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Race / Racism

History: World

Genre

Southern Gothic

Mystery / Crime Fiction

American Literature

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Identity: Race

Values/Ideas: Equality

Period

Southern Gothic