Mosquitoes (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Quite unlike many of Faulkner's later novels, _Mosquitoes_ is not nearly as densely written as those. In _Mosquitoes_ there were few if any run on sentences. It is a fairly easy book to read, but I found it far less interesting and fairly inconsequential compared to the other novels. I would call the novel a human interest, if not soap opera type of story. The passengers are brought together for a four day pleasure boat ride, on a yacht owned by the wealthy Mrs. Maurier, a patroness of the arts. On the yacht were writers, poets, and artists of all sorts. Based on the book's introduction and epilogue, Faulkner described about some of the male passengers based on writers that he personally knew. Some of the passengers were interested in meeting people of the opposite sex for romantic purposes. The conversations over heard in the novel were not particularly stimulating.One of the patrons, Mr. Talliaferro, a lonely widower, had particular difficulty in relating to women. He came to believe that he was too much of a shy, retiring personality for women to be interested in him. Toward the end of the book he concludes that if only he could break out of his shell, and be forceful with women, they would fall into his lap.Included on the guest list were Mrs. Maruier's nieceand nephew. Mr. Talliaferro develops an interest in Jenny, a friend of Mrs. Maurier's niece, but Jenny does not return the favor to Mr. Talliaferro. In fact the nephew steals a certain part of the yacht's engine he needed for an experiment he was working on. The result was that the yacht became stranded for several days. Jenny runs off with the boat's steward, which results in their getting temporarily lost._Mosquitoes_ does not delve deeply into the passenger's characters and personalities, but its occasional humor and mild adventures keep the story moving to some extent. I would suggest that one should read some of Mr. Faulkner's latter novels to get the taste of the Faulkner style of writing, which, while rather complex, are far more interestingly plotted.

One of Faulkner's funniest novels, often overlooked, full of irony including towards himself -or the author, who makes a Hitchcock -like appearance at one point only to be mockingly disparaged.His first quality novel, 1927, (the previous, and historically earliest one, actually considered of far greater import, though to my mind a quasi-romance novel) is already perfect. The humor, tragedy, breathtaking style and other recurring motifs, such as class distinctions in the South prominent, displayed in a cruel, tragic or grotesque fashion. Hence, for instance, the humiliation of the protagonist, Taliafero,forever playing hide-and-seek with himself and those around him, when a young New Orleans girl correctly pronounces his surname as 'TARVER'. Other characters are nameless, such as " The Poet", akin to set-types in medieval Morality plays; the Poet does not seem to produce any work, but looks gloomy on cue and speaks with the mandatory terseness and foreboding. The plot, as typically in Faukner, is overwelwelmed by the writing. The novelist was a poet, the art form he valued over all others and considered he had failed at. His generosity of spirit hence prevails.

Quick shipping, a good book purchased after visiting New Orleans and shopping at Faulkner's home. A gift that was well liked.

Great novel. Faulkner really captures New Orleans and the dialogue between the characters is enticing.

I'm not too sure what those 400 pages were about. I THINK it was a boat ride down the river. I couldn't really tell because it rambled on and on about nothing. Someone was lost overboard, I think. A Mr. Tallifero wonders why he can't attract women. Beyond that, nothing. The epilogue is atrocious and unnecessarily long. Did I say this book was horrible yet?

Good stuff...my husband loves it.

"Mosquitoes" is the second published novel by William Faulkner. According to my study, its original copyright is 1927. Although of moderate length I found it a dense and difficult reading expereince. The potential talent of a then young William Faulkner is unmistakable. However the story itself is mundane with many conversations that I can only describe as insipid. I am sorry to state that as is the case with some ohter novels by great authors, I "endured and survived" this novel as much as I read it.This particular story is about a group of individuals who go on a multi day boat ride on Lake Pontchartrain. There are various minor misadventures and intrigues. Sort of a boring version of "Gilligan's Island" with very little humor. It is probably just me, but I just could not enjoy this book. I Really, Really, wanted to.I have been studying William Faulkner as an author for some time. I very much want to have a true appreciation for his work as he is an iconic American author. I also have acquired generally a taste for American Southern Literature and "Southern Gothic" Literature. However there are times I really struggle with some of William Faulkner's work. This makes me feel that I just lack a true artistic eye so to speak.I have read several works by William Faulkner. I actually did like somewhat his first novel "Soldiers' Pay", of which I have never heard anyone else ever mention. I liked somewhat "The Sound and The Fury". "As I Lay Dying" is very Southern Gothic. It and "Light in August" are my two favorite Faulkner novels, along with "Soldiers' Pay".On the other hand, I found "Absalom, Absalom!", widely considered iconic, to be all but unreadable. That and "Mosquitoes" are now my least favorite William Faulkner novels. I have a copy of "Flags in the Dust" which I hope to read next. But I need a break from Mister Faulkner, probably several months...In summary, I am really very glad to have read this novel, but for the purpose of study only. I do get a sense of an emerging Faulkner style. But I would not recommend this novel to someone who was interested in an enjoyable light reading experience authored by William Faulkner. Thank You for taking the time to read this review.

Tudo bem

This was one of the easiest and most pleasant books by William Faulkner that I have ever read. It contains the typically unforgettable Faulknerian characters, is influenced heavily by Joyce's emphasis on sexual themes, and features some of the most devastatingly sardonic humour I have ever come across.The storyline centres around a yacht expedition that goes wrong but which allows the characters to engage in various forms of debauchery or excess.Mosquitoes also contains a large number of quotable observations on life which reminded me often of Proust.Highly recommended especially for those who have been turned off by Faulkner's more difficult work.