The Reivers

By: William Faulkner

Narrated by: John H. Mayer

One of Faulkner's comic masterpieces, The Reivers is a picaresque that tells of three unlikely car thieves from rural Mississippi. Eleven-year-old Lucius Priest is persuaded by Boon Hogganbeck, one of his family's retainers, to steal his grandfather's car and make a trip to Memphis. The Priest's black coachman, Ned McCaslin, stows away, and the three of them are off on a heroic odyssey, for which thy are all ill-equipped, that ends at Miss Reba's bordello in Memphis. From there a series of wild misadventures ensues--involving horse smuggling, trainmen, sheriff's deputies, and jail.

What a gem!

I’ve read almost all of Faulkners work and The Reivers was one I had not.

It’s charming and easy to understand. There’s no puzzle to solve, no stream of consciousness. Just a sweet story of innocence, youth and the sometimes bittersweet journey into experience.

Slow to start

I think this was Faulkner’s first and it felt like it. It was really slow to start- I almost didn’t keep with it but it got going and didn’t stop until the end. Definitely a piece of time in the south. Very much reflects the blatant racism of the time.

Great story telling

I am not born in the south, but have lived here most of my life. I have friends who tell stories in just the same manner as Faulkner. You must be a patient listener. It all comes together in time. It is worth the tangents and seemingly irrelevant details. The story is all the richer for it.

old south thinking but cute story and well read.

What made the experience of listening to The Reivers the most enjoyable?

the reader

Who was your favorite character and why?

the major character, a 12 year old boy.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't think of one. Worst scene was child abuse at the end.

If you could rename The Reivers, what would you call it?

how to not treat a child or women or anyone

Character voices were annoying and not endearing

The reading was not enjoyable as some of the voice changes for different characters were annoying and hard to listen to throughout the story. Not a fav. If I could return it, I would!