A landmark in American fiction, "Light in August" explores Faulkner's central theme: the nature of evil. In this work, written during his brilliant mature period, Joe Christmas - a man doomed, deracinated and alone - wanders the Deep South of the United States in search of an identity, and a place in society. After killing his perverted God-fearing lover, it becomes inevitable that he is pursued by a lynch-hungry mob. Yet after the sacrifice there is new life, a determined ray of light in Faulkner's complex and tragic world.