A great American story.

I read this after reading Hunter S. Thompson rave about how great it is. And he was absolutely right. So, I have to give him credit for recommending it.

I had given up on American literature, especially Southern American literature, after it was ruined by my 10th grade English teacher.

As time went by, and I developed my own independent mind, my love for American literature grew and matured. Finally, I understood why my mother loved the books that I hated in high school.

Although "Sophie's Choice" was made into a movie, I have a somewhat greater respect for this work. The intricate detail in the story, the strange and superficial happiness that coexists with the underlying sadness, all contribute to making this book truly wonderful.

It's a story that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, loss, and the choices we make in life.

The characters are vividly drawn, and the narrative is engaging from start to finish.

"Sophie's Choice" is a classic of American literature that deserves to be read and appreciated by all.

I think that if I were to read this book and a Richard Yates novel back to back, I might very well consider throwing myself off a tall building!

The prose in this work is truly masterful, and the characters are so engaging that they draw you in and make you keep reading, even though none of them are particularly sympathetic. Alcoholism and untreated mental illness are prominent themes, and as the story progresses, things just go from bad to worse in the lives of each character. There seems to be no hope for redemption at all.

I read this book after having read "Reading My Father" by Alexandra Styron. I had read "Sophie's Choice" many years ago, but I had never read this one before. So, I was eager to know more about the book that launched Bill Styron's career. If his view of Virginia is anything like the way he depicts it in the novel, then it's no mystery as to why he wasn't tempted to return there very often.

This is not an easy read by any means, but it is definitely a memorable one. It makes you think about the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of our actions. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Styron is truly the master of depicting the uncomfortable situation.

He skillfully weaves in elements such as family tensions, subtle hints of incest, and infidelity.

Surprisingly, the more I delved into the book, the more I found myself drawn to it, despite the fact that the beginning was almost excruciating.

At the very end, Styron presents an entire section written in the stream-of-consciousness mode, from the perspective of a character experiencing a psychological breakdown.

What can I really say about this?

Styron is an absolute maestro of words, and this book rightfully earns the title of a "Great Book."

However, it was also a complete downer.

There's nothing quite like reading about a family disintegrating under the weight of misery, and witnessing the gradual descent of a daughter from a nervous breakdown to ultimately taking her own life.

Nevertheless, it's a reading experience that leaves a lasting impact.

Enjoy.

The story presented here is both bleak and yet, in its own way, great. It's truly difficult to fathom precisely why the characters are in such a state of disarray. And when we say "fucked up," we're really understating the situation. If Styron were to explain it all, it might lead to an infinite regression of reasons. I believe it was Philip Larkin who once said in one of his poems that it's the family that "they fuck you up." It's also quite astonishing to think that Styron was only around 26 years old when he wrote this piece.

One can't help but imagine that perhaps the dude should buy Faulkner a drink in heaven for the inspiration that might have influenced the last part of this work. The combination of the complex characters and the profound themes makes this a truly remarkable piece of literature that continues to captivate and puzzle readers even today.

Wow, this man was truly talented in writing.

I read his memoir about depression, Darkness Visible, several years ago, and it left a profound impression on me. The way he described his experiences and emotions was so vivid and moving.

His fiction is equally perceptive and skillfully crafted. The stories he weaves are engaging and thought-provoking, showing his deep understanding of human nature.

Now, I've learned that one of his works is going to be made into a movie, and what's more surprising is that Kristen Stewart will be starring in it. I'm really curious to see how she will bring the character to life on the big screen.

This news has definitely piqued my interest, and I can't wait to watch the movie and see how it compares to the book.

I'm sure it will be a great adaptation, given the quality of the source material and the talent of the actress.

Overall, I'm excited about this development and look forward to seeing the final product.

I was initially captivated by the beginning of the book.

It started with a subtle darkness and very well-written passages.

However, as the story progressed, my interest waned.

The almost incestuous relationship between Loftis and Peyton disgusted me more than anything.

The characters are all unpleasant, and the narrative seems to go in circles for half of the book.

If its length were reduced to a maximum of 250 pages, the story would have gained in dynamism.

Despite my hesitation to abandon it, I'm relieved to have finished the book.

At least to confirm that I won't be rereading Styron for a while.

I have never come across anything written by anyone that is so excruciatingly insightful and daring in the portrayal of psychic pain. It is truly a remarkable piece of work.

As I read it, I found myself completely engrossed in the author's words, slowly savoring each and every sentence. The way in which the author has managed to capture the essence of psychic pain is simply exquisite.

It is as if they have delved deep into the human psyche and brought to light emotions and experiences that are often hidden or overlooked. This work has the power to touch the hearts and minds of readers, leaving them with a newfound understanding and appreciation for the complexity of the human condition.

I would highly recommend this piece to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and deeply moving read. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.

I really hated it so much that I just couldn't finish it.

The moment I started, I knew it was going to be a struggle. Every sentence seemed to be a hurdle, and I found myself constantly losing interest.

I tried my best to push through, but it felt like an uphill battle. The content just didn't engage me at all.

I kept looking at the clock, hoping for it to be over soon. In the end, I had to admit defeat.

I don't know if it was the writing style, the subject matter, or something else, but whatever it was, it made this task completely unbearable for me.

Maybe I'll give it another try sometime, but for now, I'm just glad it's over.

As Lie Down in Darkness commences, we find ourselves near the chronological end of the story. It is 1945, and the younger Loftis daughter, Peyton, has tragically committed suicide. Several of those who were close to her are waiting for the train that will carry her casket south to Tidewater Virginia. From this point, we journey back and forth in time, witnessing the disintegration of the Loftis family from multiple perspectives. First, there is Milton, the alcoholic father, then Helen, the inadequate and punishing mother, and finally Peyton, the carefree, spoiled, and ultimately perhaps mentally ill daughter.

Each character is a horribly damaged being, in every conceivable way. The damage is both self-inflicted and caused by others. Some people are drawn to these dark, passionate, and morbid Southern gothic stories. However, I am not among them. What saves this book from being one that I truly dislike is the presence of some lovely writing. Perhaps about one-third of the book can be described in this way. Styron excels at physical description. If more of the novel had been like this, I would have enjoyed it even more.
For example, consider the following passage: "Halfway between the railroad station and Port Warwick proper - a distance altogether of two miles - the marshland, petering out in disconsolate, solitary clumps of cattails, yields gradually to higher ground. Here, bordering on the road, an unsightly growth of weeds takes over, brambles and briars of an uncertain dirty hue which, as if with terrible exertion, have struggled through the clay to flourish now in stunted gray profusion, bending and shaking in the wind. The area adjacent to this stretch of weeds is bleakly municipal in appearance: it can be seen from the road, and in fact the road eventually curves and runs through it. Here there are great mounds of garbage; a sweet, vegetable odor rises perpetually on the air and one can see - from the distance faintly iridescent - whole swarms of carnivorous flies blackening the garbage and maybe a couple of proprietary rats, propped erect like squirrels, and blinking sluggishly, with mild, infected eyes, at some horror-stricken Northern tourist."
It is impossible to endorse a daughter calling her father "Bunny." However, passages like the following help to ease the reader's discomfort: "There were wide barren fields now, a patch of river to the south, the Rappahannock; this was territory that they knew, where one lane, one house or barn, gliding soundlessly past the car's vaultlike silence, only announced another house or lane or barn a few yards farther on, each more familiar as they drew closer to home. This was the Northern Neck, a land of prim pastoral fences, virgin timber, grazing sheep and Anglo-Saxons: these, the last, spoke in slumbrous Elizabethan accents, rose at dawn, went to bed at dusk, and maintained, with Calvinist passion, their traditional intolerance of evil. Most were Presbyterians and Baptists, many were Episcopalians, and all prayed and hunted quail with equal fervor and died healthily of heart failure at an advanced age; destiny had given them a peaceful and unvanquished land to live in, free of railroads and big-city ways and the meretricious lures of the flesh, and when they died they died, for the most part, in contentment, shriven of their moderate, parochial sins. They were bounded by two rivers and the sky, and were as chary of the hinterland as of the deepest heart of Africa. A sturdy and honest curiosity filled their minds, provided the objects of such were not exotic or from the North, and the smell of sea filled their days; exacting in all matters, moral but never harsh, they lived in harmony with nature and called themselves the last Americans."

It is still quite evident as to why this book received such rapid critical acclaim upon its initial publication. Styron's very first novel, penned when he was merely 26 years old, is both dense and highly eloquent.

Although it sporadically exhibits the telltale signs of a writer still in the process of honing his craft and can, in certain instances, give the impression of being a bit dated, the lyrical prose and the unwavering character studies within this narrative of a southern family gradually disintegrating are not only firmly rooted in the finest tradition of southern gothic literature but are also astonishing in their own unique right.

If you are familiar with Styron through his more renowned later works, not all of which resonate with me, then it is highly advisable to read this particular piece.

It offers a distinct perspective into Styron's early writing style and showcases his budding talent, which would later blossom into the literary masterpieces that he is known for.

Despite its flaws, this novel holds a certain charm and allure that makes it a worthwhile read for any lover of literature.

This is EXACTLY the kind of book I would have written in my early 20s had I not been lazy, talentless and drunk.

It's truly a pity that I wasn't able to pen such a book back then. Laziness held me back, preventing me from putting in the necessary effort and dedication. My lack of talent also played a significant role, as I simply didn't have the skills and creativity to bring such a work to life. And let's not forget about the alcohol, which clouded my judgment and made it even harder for me to focus on my writing.

Looking back now, I can't help but wonder what could have been. Maybe if I had overcome my laziness, worked hard to improve my writing skills, and stayed away from the bottle, I would have been able to create a masterpiece like this. But alas, those are just dreams and what-ifs. All I can do now is appreciate the work of others and hope that one day, I might be able to produce something of similar quality.

This book truly made me think that I'm crazy.

It delves into the story of a seriously dysfunctional family and vividly portrays how they drive each other to the brink of madness.

The mother, who might be extremely crazy, elicits a complex range of emotions from me. On one hand, I find myself sympathizing with her, understanding the hardships and pressures she might have endured.

On the other hand, I'm aghast at the things she does, which seem completely irrational and out of control.

I'm left with a strange feeling that she is indeed out of her mind, yet at the same time, I have a glimmer of understanding as to why she might be behaving that way, but then again, not really.

It's all very weird and confusing.

Moreover, it took me much longer to read this book than I initially thought it would.

The complex characters and their convoluted relationships required me to constantly stop and reflect, trying to make sense of the chaos that was unfolding on the pages.

It was a challenging yet strangely captivating read that left a lasting impression on me.