"The Reivers" Summary

Introduction

Hop in for a wild ride across the early 20th-century American South! William Faulkner’s The Reivers is both a comic adventure and a heartfelt meditation on innocence, mischief, and the awkward journey into adulthood. Published in 1962, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is Faulkner’s last, and it stands apart for its warmth and humor—qualities not always front and center in his famously challenging works. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix a stolen car, a child with big dreams, and a couple of unlikely companions, you’re in for a treat.

Set against the backdrop of changing times in Mississippi, The Reivers is a coming-of-age story that’s as entertaining as it is insightful. Whether you’re a student looking to ace your literature class or a casual reader searching for the next great American novel, this summary will give you everything you need to know (without spoiling the fun).

Historical Context

The Reivers takes place in the early 1900s—a period of seismic cultural and technological shifts in America. The horse is giving way to the automobile, and the South is slowly emerging from the long shadow of the Civil War.

• Era: Early 20th-century Mississippi, around 1905.
• Major Events: Introduction of the automobile, Reconstruction’s lingering effects, and the gradual modernization of rural America.
• Social Context: Rigid racial hierarchies, the rise of Jim Crow laws, and the persistence of Southern traditions.
• Literary Context: Faulkner was at the end of his storied career, and this book feels like a fond farewell—a lighter, nostalgic look at themes he’d spent a lifetime exploring.

Faulkner draws loosely from his own youth and from the changing landscape of the American South, infusing the novel with both authenticity and wistfulness.

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

The Reivers follows eleven-year-old Lucius Priest, his family’s loyal black employee Ned McCaslin, and the hapless Boon Hogganbeck as they impulsively steal (or “borrow,” as they might say) Lucius’s grandfather’s prized automobile. Their destination: Memphis, a city brimming with temptation, vice, and unexpected lessons.

Along the way, their journey spirals into chaos—horse races, brothels, family secrets, and a stolen horse all complicate matters. What begins as a simple adventure becomes a journey of self-discovery, responsibility, and redemption for young Lucius.

Setting

• Time: Circa 1905, when cars were novelties and the South was in transition.
• Place: From the sleepy town of Jefferson, Mississippi, to the bustling, morally ambiguous streets of Memphis, Tennessee.
• Atmosphere: A blend of nostalgia, humor, and a touch of melancholy for a world slipping away.

Faulkner paints the South as both a place of deep-rooted tradition and looming change, using setting to mirror his characters’ inner journeys.

Main Characters

Let’s meet the trio at the heart of this rollicking tale, plus a few memorable supporting cast members:

Plot Summary

Faulkner’s narrative unfolds like a tall tale told on a summer porch—full of digressions, misadventures, and colorful characters.

Section 1: The Stolen Car

It all begins with a simple act of mischief: Boon Hogganbeck, hopelessly in love with Miss Corrie (a woman in Memphis), convinces Lucius to “borrow” Grandfather Priest’s brand-new 1905 Winton Flyer. Ned McCaslin, always one step ahead, inserts himself into the plan. Eleven-year-old Lucius is swept along, torn between excitement and dread.

The trio’s escape is comic from the start. The car, a rare sight in Mississippi, draws stares and suspicion. Their journey is more slapstick than smooth, with mishaps ranging from muddy roads to clueless navigation.

Section 2: Memphis and Its Temptations

Arriving in Memphis, the group seeks out Miss Corrie, who works at a brothel—a fact Lucius is initially oblivious to. The city is a world apart from sleepy Jefferson: bustling, dangerous, and full of temptation.

• Miss Corrie takes Lucius under her wing, offering comfort and guidance.
• Otis, Corrie’s nephew, introduces Lucius to the gray areas of morality—cheating at marbles, lying, and testing boundaries.

Meanwhile, Ned concocts a wild plan: he swaps the stolen Winton Flyer for a seemingly worthless, but secretly talented, racehorse. His goal? To win enough money in a horse race to buy the car back—and keep everyone out of trouble.

Section 3: Horse Trading and High Stakes

The bulk of the adventure revolves around the horse race. Ned’s confidence is matched only by Boon’s cluelessness and Lucius’s mounting anxiety. The stakes are high: if the plan fails, they risk exposure, shame, and the wrath of Grandfather Priest.

The race itself is pure Faulkner—comic, suspenseful, and brimming with local color. Ned’s street-smarts and Lucius’s emerging courage come to the fore, while Boon provides plenty of comic relief.

Section 4: Lessons Learned and Homecoming

After a series of close calls, narrow escapes, and moral tests, the trio manages to recover the Winton Flyer and return home, battered but wiser. Lucius is forced to confront the consequences of his actions, and Grandfather Priest delivers a stern but loving lesson on responsibility.

The novel ends on a note of forgiveness and growth. Lucius, no longer quite so innocent, begins to understand the complexities of adulthood—a journey as bumpy and unpredictable as the road to Memphis.

Themes and Motifs

Faulkner packs The Reivers with rich themes and recurring motifs, all wearing the light costume of comedy.

Major Themes

• Innocence vs. Experience: Lucius’s journey is a classic coming-of-age tale, marked by mistakes and hard-won lessons.
• Tradition vs. Change: The transition from horse to automobile mirrors larger societal shifts in the South.
• Race and Class: Ned’s cunning and dignity challenge stereotypes; the novel explores racial and social hierarchies with subtlety.
• Moral Ambiguity: Almost every character bends the rules, forcing readers to reconsider ideas of right and wrong.
• Family and Forgiveness: The bonds between generations, and the ability to forgive, are at the novel’s heart.

Motifs

• Automobile vs. Horse: Symbolizes new vs. old, progress vs. tradition.
• Journeys and Quests: The road trip structure echoes classical adventure tales.
• Tall Tale Narrative: Exaggeration, humor, and digression give the story a mythic, oral-history quality.

Literary Techniques and Style

Faulkner’s reputation for dense, challenging prose is well-earned, but The Reivers is refreshingly accessible.

• Narrative Voice: The story is told by an older Lucius, looking back with both nostalgia and wry humor.
• Oral Tradition: The novel reads like a story told aloud, full of digressions, asides, and colorful language.
• Comic Pacing: Slapstick mishaps and witty dialogue keep the tone light, even as deeper themes emerge.
• Symbolism: The car, the horse, and the journey are layered with meaning, representing broader cultural and personal transitions.
• Characterization: Faulkner gives even minor characters depth, making the world of The Reivers feel lived-in and real.

Author's Background

William Faulkner (1897–1962) is a giant of American literature, best known for his complex novels set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County. Winner of two Pulitzer Prizes and the Nobel Prize in Literature, Faulkner is celebrated for his innovative narrative structures and deep explorations of Southern identity.

• Influences: Southern oral tradition, the legacy of the Civil War, and the changing American South.
• Writing Style: Dense, experimental, often using stream-of-consciousness. The Reivers is notably more straightforward and humorous.
• Other Major Works: The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Absalom, Absalom!
• Legacy: Faulkner’s impact on American literature is immense—he inspired writers from Toni Morrison to Gabriel García Márquez.

The Reivers stands out as a “late style” work—lighter, more forgiving, and full of affection for both his characters and his readers.

Key Takeaways

• Faulkner’s The Reivers is a comic, coming-of-age adventure set during a time of great change in the American South.
• The novel explores themes of innocence, moral ambiguity, tradition vs. progress, and the bonds of family and forgiveness.
• Through its accessible style and engaging characters, the book offers both entertainment and insight into the complexities of human nature.
• The road trip structure and tall tale narrative make it an enjoyable, page-turning read for students and casual readers alike.
• Faulkner’s affection for his characters and his home region shines through, making this a perfect entry point for those new to his work.

Reader's Takeaway

The Reivers is more than a madcap adventure—it’s a gentle, wise examination of how we grow up, make mistakes, and ultimately find our place in a changing world. It offers readers a chance to laugh, reflect, and maybe even see themselves in Lucius’s journey.

For students, it’s a fantastic introduction to Faulkner’s genius without the intimidating complexity of his earlier works. For lecturers, it’s a rich text for discussing themes of race, class, morality, and historical change in American literature.

Emotionally, the book will leave you with a sense of hope and a renewed appreciation for the messy, beautiful process of growing up. It’s like a summer road trip with your best friends—full of mishaps, laughter, and stories you’ll tell for years to come.

Conclusion

The Reivers is Faulkner’s affectionate farewell to the South he both loved and critiqued. Through humor, warmth, and a dash of chaos, he invites us to look back at a world in transition—and to remember that, no matter how bumpy the ride, the journey is what shapes us.

If you’re searching for a novel that combines literary depth with genuine fun, look no further. Dive into The Reivers for an adventure that’s as rewarding as it is unforgettable. Whether you’re reading for class or for pleasure, Faulkner’s last novel will leave you grinning—and maybe a little wiser—for the trip.