Jude the Obscure vs The Sound and the Fury: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Illegitimate children, Death, Social life and customs, Fiction

Cover of Jude the Obscure

Jude the Obscure Thomas Hardy · 1895 ★★★★☆ 3.8 488 pages · ≈ 9 h 02 m · Light Find on Amazon

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Cover of The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury William Faulkner · 1929 ★★★★☆ 3.9 335 pages · ≈ 6 h 12 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Sound and the Fury is the quicker read — about 6 hours vs 9 for Jude the Obscure.
Jude the Obscure is the easier read (Light), The Sound and the Fury more demanding (Moderate).

Side by side