There's no way of getting around it: any William Faulkner tale can be difficult to teach. He's known for his large vocabulary, interesting (though sometimes confusing) use of point of view, and Modernist techniques. The exact meaning of the term "Modernist" is still debated in literary nerd circles, so it's easy to see why teaching a Modernist writer can be a bit of a head-scratcher. That being said, we think that That Evening Sun is without a doubt one of the easier "hard" stories in Mr. Faulkner's library. It's the perfect springboard for students into reading some of his more demanding works like Absalom, Absalom! for example.

More challenges: this book takes place in the seedy American South during the mid-1800s, when back slaves were treated as property. Therefore, staying true to historical accuracy, there are many instances of racial slurs and brutality against Nancy, our main(ish) character, which might disturb students. It's definitely no pleasure cruise.