Intruder in the Dust

AI Rating: 3/10 - Faulkner's 1948 novel critiques Southern racism through a black man's murder accusation and a white teen's quest for justice, emphasizing racial dignity and anti-lynching themes. Lucas Beauchamp is portrayed as proud and independent, challenging stereotypes. While sympathetic to racial injustice—progressive for its era—it prioritizes complex Southern Gothic storytelling, human psychology, and moral ambiguity over overt identity politics or diversity messaging. No modern DEI agendas; race serves the narrative, not vice versa.