<P> It is near - unanimously considered a masterpiece by literary critics and scholars, but the novel's unconventional narrative style frequently alienates new readers . Although the vocabulary is generally basic, the frequent switches in time and setting, as well as the occasional lack of regard for sentence structure grammar have proven it to be a difficult read--even for many fans of Faulkner . </P> <P> The Sound and the Fury is a widely influential work of literature . Faulkner has been praised for his ability to recreate the thought process of the human mind . In addition, it is viewed as an essential development in the stream - of - consciousness literary technique . In 1998, the Modern Library ranked The Sound and the Fury sixth on its list of the 100 best English - language novels of the 20th century . </P> <Ul> <Li> A film adaptation was released in 1959 directed by Martin Ritt and starring Yul Brynner, Joanne Woodward, Margaret Leighton, Stuart Whitman, Ethel Waters, Jack Warden, and Albert Dekker . The movie bears little resemblance to the novel . </Li> <Li> Another adaptation, The Sound and the Fury (2014), was directed by James Franco and starred Franco as Benjy Compson, Jacob Loeb as Quentin Compson, Joey King as Miss Quentin, Tim Blake Nelson as Mr. Compson, Loretta Devine as Dilsey, Ahna O'Reilly as Caddy Compson, Scott Haze as Jason Compson, Kylen Davis as Luster, Seth Rogen as a Telegraph Operator, Danny McBride as a Sheriff, and Logan Marshall - Green as Dalton Ames . It made its premiere at the 71st Venice International Film Festival, where it screened out - of - competition . </Li> </Ul> <Li> A film adaptation was released in 1959 directed by Martin Ritt and starring Yul Brynner, Joanne Woodward, Margaret Leighton, Stuart Whitman, Ethel Waters, Jack Warden, and Albert Dekker . The movie bears little resemblance to the novel . </Li>

William faulkner absalom absalom the sound and the fury