I love him.  I felt the need to express that sentiment to others who read books.

Mostly I just get strange looks when I say that. 

Thank you.

I have not ever read anything written by him, not even in school! Which of his books would be a good one to read first?

I had a thread in the classics forum about how its one of my goals for 2009 to finally start reading some Faulkner.  I have The Sound & The Fury, As I Lay Dying and Light in August on my TBR pile.

I think Light in August would be a good introduction, honestly.  Then, I would try for As I Lay Dying.  I also love his short stories, but I think reading his novels first helps to get an idea of how he writes and things to keep an eye on... ;) 

I have only read one William Faulkner book, so maybe I am being a little prematurely judgemental, but I HATED that book. It was and still is the worst book I have ever read. The only reason I finished it was because it was a school requirement. The book I read: As I Lay Dying. As of right now I have absolutely no desire to ever pick up another Faulker book. Maybe ya'll can change my mind. :0)

I love As I Lay Dying.  Sound and the Fury is great.  I read The Rievers when I was very young and liked that, too.  Sanctuary, not so much.

IMHO Faulkner and James Baldwin are among the Great Writers who are ignored by modern generations, because their subjects seem -- not are -- so out-of-date. But don't get me started on the whole what's-wrong-with-American-education thing. Please.

i read Baldwin's The Fire Next Time in my senior year of high school, but it was for a very... unorthodox class called "Society, Literature & Truth".  It was really thought-provoking and not at all the usual high school english fare.

Greg~ not to get you started (lol), but I humbly agree with you!  I don't know much about James Baldwin but you have my attention now...