The Reivers

The Reivers is a humorous, nostalgic novel set in early 20th-century Mississippi. It follows eleven-year-old Lucius Priest, who becomes swept up in an unexpected adventure when the family’s hired hand, Boone Hogganbeck, “borrows” (essentially steals) Lucius’s grandfather’s prized automobile. Lucius impulsively joins Boone and their companion Ned McCaslin on a trip from Jefferson to Memphis.

In Memphis, the trio finds themselves entangled in trouble. The stolen car is traded by Ned for a racehorse, forcing them into a series of schemes to reclaim it. Lucius is thrust into the adult world—witnessing deception, moral dilemmas, and the realities of life beyond his sheltered upbringing. Through these misadventures, he also encounters kindness, loyalty, and unexpected lessons about responsibility and honor.

As the story builds toward a climactic horse race that may restore the stolen car and their dignity, Lucius matures, reflecting on courage, fairness, and the meaning of manhood. The novel concludes with a warm, reflective tone as older Lucius narrates these childhood memories, acknowledging how the chaotic journey shaped his character.

Blending comedy, adventure, and coming-of-age insight, The Reivers stands as one of Faulkner’s most accessible and lighthearted works.