51 pages • 1 hour read
William FaulknerSanctuary
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1931A 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
Sanctuary by William Faulkner takes place in Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, and follows Temple Drake, a college girl from a well-off family, who falls prey to a ruthless bootlegger named Popeye. Popeye's subsequent actions, including abducting Temple and raping her, ripple through the lives of characters like lawyer Horace Benbow, bootlegger Lee Goodwin, and Temple's date, Gowan Stevens. The book contains graphic depictions of sexual assault, domestic violence, and lynching, as well as the use of derogatory language.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
William Faulkner's Sanctuary has garnered mixed reviews. Praised for its gritty and complex narrative, the novel showcases Faulkner's masterful prose and deep psychological insight. However, its dark themes and graphic content have also drawn criticism for being overly disturbing and sensational. Overall, Sanctuary stands as a provocative and challenging read that continues to stir strong reactions.
Who Should Read Sanctuary?
A reader who would enjoy Sanctuary by William Faulkner is likely intrigued by dark, Southern Gothic literature. They appreciate complex character studies and psychological depth, similar to those found in Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood or Cormac McCarthy's Child of God. This reader values intricate narrative techniques and morally ambiguous scenarios.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
HL750LBook Details
Classic Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Southern Gothic
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Society: Class
Life/Time: The Past