Inspired by his involvement in the 1920s New Orleans creative community, William Faulkner published his satirical second novel in 1927. Mosquitoes explores the themes of sexuality and the societal role of the artist. The story follows a bohemian cast of characters on a four-day cruise aboard the yacht Nausikaa, which is owned by a wealthy patron of the arts.
While living in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Faulkner socialized with many literary figures, including Sherwood Anderson, and modeled his characters on those friendships. The novel offers an intriguing glimpse into the youth of one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century.