In "Becoming Faulkner," Philip Weinstein embarks on an insightful journey into the life and psyche of William Faulkner, an author whose literary brilliance was perpetually shadowed by a profound sense of personal failure. Weinstein, an authoritative voice on Faulkner, delves deep into the novelist's life, from his unremarkable military career and familial losses to his struggles with alcoholism and the challenges of Hollywood scriptwriting. This biography stands out by intertwining Faulkner's tumultuous experiences with the evolution of his groundbreaking narrative techniques, revealing how his internal battles with time, history, and self-perception fueled the creation of his unique literary voice. Through Weinstein's meticulous analysis, "Becoming Faulkner" not only uncovers the roots of Faulkner's complex identity but also illuminates the myriad ways in which his life's disappointments were transmuted into the rich tapestry of his fiction. Weinstein's narrative is a masterful confluence of biography and literary critique, offering a panoramic view of Faulkner's internal landscape and its profound impact on American literature. By focusing on Faulkner's engagement with the antebellum South's legacy and his own personal misgivings, Weinstein presents a portrait of a man whose literary ambition was inextricably linked to an ongoing quest for self-understanding. "Becoming Faulkner" is thus not merely a story of a writer's life but a compelling examination of how Faulkner's ceaseless introspection and his sense of being perennially "unready" forged a new path in literature, capturing the complexity of human consciousness as never before. This biography is an essential read for anyone seeking to comprehend the depth and breadth of Faulkner's contribution to the novel as an art form.