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Faulkner History and Hometowns
Though the mules plod in a steady and unflagging hypnosis, the vehicle does
not seem to progress. It seems to hang suspended in the middle distance
forever and forever, so infinitesimal is its progress, like a shabby bead
upon the mild red string of road.
Hometown Faulkner
In Ripley, Mississippi, you can view the lifesize statue that William
Faulkner’s great-grandfather had cast of himself
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William Faulkner was born in New
Albany, Mississippi, but the place his story really begins is Ripley,
Mississippi, the home of Faulkner’s great-grandfather and namesake, William
Clark Falkner
. . . For the tourist set, here's a page
inviting you to enjoy
Mississippi's Southern flavor, whatever that means
. . . but for official info, you'll want to
visit the Mississippi
Tourism site.
. . . For a time, Faulkner lived in New
Orleans, and occasionally drank at Broussard's
. . . On the square in Oxford, you can see Duvall's,
the first location of the First National Bank of Oxford founded by Faulkner’s
grandfather, and the model for the Sartoris Bank in Faulkner’s
novels
. . . On the opposite side of the square from
Duvall's is the Gathright-Reed
Drug Company, originally located next to Faulkner Alley, which was run by
Faulkner’s friend Mac Reed who sold his books and even lent them
out
. . . As during his life, it's still not easy
to get to Faulkner’s home—there are few signs (on both the asphalt and the
information highways). To make it easier for your navigation, you can get to
it here
and here ...
For one person's "epinion" about Faulkner’s hometown today, read
"Spittin'
Off The Balcony in Oxford, Mississippi" at epinions.com.
Historically speaking ...
If you've read many of Faulkner’s Civil War stories, you know that General
Nathan Bedford Forrest occasionally drops in for a visit; here is some
more information about the legendary Confederate cavalry commander. Even more
engaging are the actions of Company
A, Fifth Regiment, of the Mississippi Cavalry, as written by William
A. Clayton.
. . . Or you can find out about the history
of Oxford from the Oxford City Web
site.
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