As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
William Faulkner claimed to have written As I Lay Dying, his fifth novel, in just six weeks — with very little revision — while working at power plant in 1929. While this sounds impressive in and of itself, also consider the fact that this novel has 15 different narrators throughout its 59 chapters and has consistently been recognized as one of the greatest works of the American literature.
As I Lay Dying is the first book in which Faulkner introduces Yoknapatawpha County, a fictional rendition of his native Lafayette County, Mississippi, which became the setting for some of his best-known works. The author’s self-described “tour de force” follows the death of Addie Bundren and her family’s various notions regarding her burial requests and their journey to Jefferson, in the heart of the county, to fulfill them. Poverty, bad weather, injury, and pregnancy are just some of the hindrances faced along the way. Fittingly, the title of the novel comes from a line in Homer’s The Odyssey: “As I lay dying, the woman with the dog's eyes would not close my eyes as I descended into Hades.”
Along with The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying helped to secured Faulkner’s stance as a pioneer of the stream-of-consciousness technique, joining the ranks with James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. In vernacular that echoes Mark Twain, the characters of the novel are able to develop gradually through the perceptions of others. Though this requires readers to take an active part in constructing the story, it also allows for multiple, and sometimes, conflicting interpretations.
Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949 for his novels prior to that date, which includes As I Lay Dying. The novel has also directly influenced a number of other critically acclaimed books, including Graham Swift’s Booker prize-winning novel Last Orders and Suzan-Lori Parks’ Getting Mother’s Body, an African-American retelling of the story. As I Lay Dying is ranked 35th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century and 55th on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best novels. The Grammy-nominated metalcore band As I Lay Dying derived its name from this book as well. In 2014, writer/director James Franco released a film adaptation of the novel.
First Edition Identification
Jonathan Cape & Harrison Smith first published As I Lay Dying in New York in 1930. The first edition states “First Published 1930” on the copyright page with no additional printings listed and includes an “I” aligned incorrectly on page 11. The dust jack of the first edition states the original price of $2.50 on its front flap. True first editions have sold for upwards of $6,000 — and can go for as much as $12,000 with Faulkner’s signature.
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
Chatto & Windus published the first UK edition of As I Lay Dying in London in 1935.
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As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1930
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- Hardcover
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Portland, Oregon, USA
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£762.85
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As I Lay Dying: The Corrected Text
by Faulkner, William
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- Used - Very Good
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- No Jacket
- Published
- 1990
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- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 067973225X
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Newport, Washington, USA
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£6.42
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As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
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- Used - Fine
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- Near Fine
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- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1930
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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As I Lay Dying
by FAULKNER, William
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- 1964
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- Hardcover
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Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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£60.22
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As I Lay Dying
by William Faulkner
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- Reprint
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- 1965
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- Paperback book
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Rochdale, Greater Manchester, GBR
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As I Lay Dying
by William Faulkner
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- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0099479311
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Milton Keynes , Buckinghamshire, GBR
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AS I LAY DYING
by Faulkner, William
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- First Edition, First Printing, Second Issue
- Published
- 1930
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- Hardcover
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Rockville, Maryland, USA
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£562.10
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As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
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- First Edition
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- 1930
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Portland, Oregon, USA
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As I Lay Dying; The Sound and the Fury; Light in August; Sanctuary
by Faulkner, William
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- 1956
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- Hardcover
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Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA
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As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
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- Reprint
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- 2004
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- Softcover
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- 0099479311
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King River, Western Australia, AUS
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AS I LAY DYING
by William Faulkner
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- Corrected Edition; Sixth Printing
- Published
- 1964
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- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0394415817
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Pomona, New York, USA
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£133.65
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As I Lay Dying: The Corrected Text
by Faulkner, William
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- 067973225x
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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£3.75
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As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
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- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1930
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- Hardcover
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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As I Lay Dying: William Faulkner (Vintage classics)
by Faulkner, William
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- Paperback
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- 0099479311
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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£1.00
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As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
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- Used
- Edition
- Facsimile First Edition Library Reprint
- Published
- 1930
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Deep River, Connecticut, USA
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£60.22
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AS I LAY DYING
by Faulkner, William
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- Used
- Edition
- First Edition, First Printing, Second Issue
- Published
- 1930
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- Hardcover
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Rockville, Maryland, USA
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£803.00
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As I Lay Dying: The Corrected Text
by Faulkner, William
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1991
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 067973225X
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Seattle, Washington, USA
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£4.81
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As I Lay Dying
by Faulkner, William
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- ISBN 10
- 0394702549
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ISLIP TERRACE, New York, USA
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£11.24
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AS I LAY DYING
by William Faulkner
- Condition
- Used
- Edition
- Corrected Edition; Eighth Printing
- Published
- 1964
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0394415817
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Pomona, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
£133.65