A critic described Natchez Burning as William Faulkner "for the Breaking Bad generation." What do you think of this comparison?

One critic described Greg Iles' writing in Natchez Burning as William Faulkner "for the Breaking Bad generation." How does Natchez Burning fit into that comparison?

I think it's right on. This is a terrific novel with a view into a South no one wants to talk about. Faulkner's novels were just as microscopic.

The description is appealing and true.

I think it is quite appropriate. Faulkner's time which fell before the Civil Rights period of the 60's and was still in the period in the South where the moneyed aristocrats were respected and keeping up a front and the more sordid parts of the reality of their life were never discussed. Faulkner dared to write of the more sordid side of things which was rather a new thing for Southern writers. Iles, is also not afraid to dig deeper and in today's world of information overload on every thing that is happening everywhere he has an audience that will accept the sometimes awful things that are and have happened and can make it a story that pulls you in even as you are disgusted and repelled by what is being done and is happening to his characters.

It's a kind and accurate comparison.

Wow! That is a perfect description.

I have had a disjointed relationship with "Natchez". Full disclosure - I am exactly halfway through the book now but have been anxious to hear how the rest of my co-readers are feeling. While I loved "Breaking Bad" I felt it was at times outrageously violent. I feel the same way about "Natchez." The descriptions of the murder/torture of the victims at the hands of the Double Eagles are very tough to take. Even when Penn describes the picture he has of Shad and the football player torturing the dog that was unnecessarily graphic. I may be a bit squeamish but I think the violence could have been toned-down a bit. Otherwise Penn and Tom Cage are fascinating characters. Not loving Penn's Fiance but I do love the other journalist from the Beacon.

Not being a part of the breaking bad generation I can not relate to that comparison, but I do seem some semblance of William Faulkner here.

I believe it is a fitting comparison. Both men were from the South, wrote about events that occurred there and how people re-write history or rationalize events to suit their present interests. Each writer writing style contained a stream-of-conscious narration and the use of complex and long sentence structure to tell their stories.

Huh. I don't really see the similarity between authors except for location. I found Faulkner's novels enthralling but I struggled to finish Natchez Burning. While Mr. Iles writes well, I don't think his work has quite reached the level of literature of William Faulkner.

I admit that I am one of the few people that own a TV that has never watched Breaking Bad so perhaps the comparison in that regard is apt.

William Faulkner is considered one the literary giants of the Twentieth Century. His works and his style will be long remembered for their uniqueness and timelessness.

I'm not quite sure how to interpret this. While Mr Iles is a fine writer, he is no Faulkner. But then Breaking Bad is no Death of a Salesman. If the critic was simply referring to context then a better comparison I think would be Carson McCullers. She was no Faulkner either but I feel like the tone of her writing is more strongly comparable to Natchez Burning. I am a huge fan of all three authors, by the way. I'm just trying to figure out what this question is going for.

I agree with donnac; Iles is a very good writer but he is no Faulkner. As for the reference to Breaking Bad, other than the explicit violence in both, I don't see the connection.

I do not think that Iles compares to Faulkner. Someone mentioned stream of consciousness as similar. I actually felt Iles used a great deal of dialogue instead. I, too, have not watched Breaking Bad.