I truly adored this book, and the reason is quite simple. It vividly describes and presents a plethora of emotions, including hate, sin, and ideals, among the characters. The story is set in the South, and the transition of conscience that unfolds within it is truly unique.

This is sort of a review, with spoilers.

The quote "If I just hadn't been drowning I wouldn't have hated, I would have forgiven..." by Peyton really stuck with me. It also describes the dysfunctional 'family' in the story. All the characters are laid bare in their sins, and delving into their mindsets is not easy, yet it is masterfully delivered, keeping the reader engaged until the very end. Because, in the end, through Peyton, we discover the truth and the consequences of the actions. Milton, her father, is helpless against Helen and Peyton. Helen uses him, whatever feelings she may have at the time, because she hates all men and accepts that she is incapable of love. She uses every man in this story, especially how she wants people and society to perceive her. She uses Maudie as a tool of sympathy, which, as a reader, I admit I fell for at the beginning to understand her. Understanding is what Peyton desires, but neither Helen nor Peyton truly needs it. Peyton is a lighter version of Helen but has the potential to be a better person if she works hard for it. She knows she has this potential, but she misses home, and it is the nature of one's attachment to family that makes her 'drown'. She is confused and contaminated by the sins of her family. "They never learned" she cried once. She tries oblivion like her father through drinking, but she is too aware of her father's special love for her and of the past versus the present. She punishes herself for punishing others through men. She mentions how strangers pose no threat.

She tries to hold onto faith to move on, but that too has been tainted by her mother, by Helen. "Why was it when I thought of prayer I thought of home: why these two things always together, giving me grief?" - Peyton.

Peyton has also tried punishment, sin, and ultimately, love, but all have failed. Her desire to live in a more contemporary world at that time is marred by her home. The psychology that she goes through, the reliance, and the last bit of faith that lies in fantasy, all hurt as she experiences it.

"To walk into a dark closet and lie down there and dream away my sins, hoping to wake in another land, fantastic dawn?" - Peyton.

I rate this book four stars because of its amazing journey through the darkness of conscience. And I love Peyton. She was born, raised, and taught by lies in the darkness. Freedom takes on a different meaning once you are down there. Her suicide was a choice of her own, not an act of cowardice.

I embarked on reading this book in the midst of December, shattering a long-held tradition of mine where I would only peruse Christmas-themed books during this month. Naturally, I had heard of William Styron, yet my knowledge about him was rather limited. What I initially thought would be a book that I could breeze through in a few days ended up taking me over a week to finish. "Lie Down in Darkness" is what I would classify as HIGH Literature.

It is incredibly descriptive, with a tragic and poetic quality to it. The structure is flawless, and the characters are simply amazing. This is the kind of writing that I was brought up with, and to this very day, it remains my favorite type of writing. Virtually all of my favorite writers, such as the Bronte sisters, Dickens, Tolstoy, Conrad, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Baldwin, and Toni Morrison, are all of a similar ilk.

To state that this is a depressing novel would be a vast understatement. It is truly a downer, and I would not suggest reading it during the Christmas holidays. However, what cannot be denied is just how brilliantly written it is. It描绘了一个生活在弗吉尼亚州三十年代和四十年代的中产阶级功能失调的家庭，其深刻程度让书中的人物和故事将在我心中留存很长一段时间。

Styron is an absolutely remarkable author. His ability to write from the feminine perspective is truly outstanding. He manages to capture the essence and nuances of a woman's thoughts, feelings, and experiences with great precision and authenticity.

However, it must be noted that the book does tend to veer into the maudlin territory rather frequently. There are times when the emotions and situations seem a bit overwrought and sentimental. But when one takes into account the period setting in which the story is set, some of this can be understood and even forgiven.

The last chapter, on the other hand, is truly excellent. It is both painful and a wonderful climax to the various stories that have been skillfully woven throughout the book. It ties up loose ends, reveals hidden truths, and leaves the reader with a sense of both satisfaction and a profound emotional impact. It is a chapter that will stay with the reader long after they have finished the book.

William Styron's first novel, which he wrote at the age of 25, is my absolute favorite.

I hold it in the highest regard, just as much as I value the works that came later.

Peyton Loftis is a truly haunting figure. She is lusted after by her father, which is a deeply disturbing aspect of the story.

At the same time, she is hated by her mother, creating a complex and tragic family dynamic.

As a result, it seems that Peyton is probably doomed from an early age.

However, what makes this novel so powerful is that we get to witness her fall in a very real and poignant way.

There is nothing overly melodramatic about any of it.

When I think of the overall impact of this book, words like 'searing' and 'shattering' immediately come to mind.

It is a story that stays with you long after you have finished reading, leaving you with a sense of profound sadness and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Classic works often spark intense debates among a wide range of people, as everyone holds diverse opinions.

I was truly anticipating this book, given that so many had lauded it. However, the reading experience wasn't uniformly captivating. There were certain parts that held my attention firmly, while in other sections, I found it a struggle to even finish a paragraph.

I have a penchant for books that are written in a poetic style, with paragraphs that meander down the page, adorned with elaborate descriptions. But unfortunately, some of these descriptions in this book were simply excessive for my liking.

Nonetheless, it is indeed a well-written story. Each of the characters undergoes a development and experiences heartaches that are unique to them. This aspect adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it a worthy read despite its flaws.

Overall, while it didn't meet all of my expectations, it still managed to offer some valuable insights and engaging moments.

The author's wonderful descriptions of the river and its surroundings in Tidewater Virginia bring back such fond memories of growing up and visiting my grandparents.

Unlike what one might expect, the book's style of going back and forth through time doesn't cause confusion at all. Instead, it significantly adds to the dramatic element of the story.

Just like Faulkner, here the author dissects the often complex and dichotomous nature between the seemingly genteel surface and the hellish underbelly of the old white south.

This exploration offers a deep and nuanced look into a bygone era, painting a vivid picture that both intrigues and engages the reader. It makes one reflect on the history and the hidden aspects of a society that may have been overlooked or sugarcoated in other accounts.

The combination of these elements makes the book a truly captivating read, one that lingers in the mind long after the final page has been turned.

Absolutely painful to read.

Styron attempts to tug at your heartstrings right from the beginning of the book, presuming that you'll be concerned about the divorced couple coping with the suicide of their daughter. However, not a single thing is done to actually make us care. The writing is extremely heavy-handed and feels incredibly - incredibly - forced. I'm being bombarded with misery and suffering, but I simply can't buy it as it doesn't feel real. "Lie Down in Darkness" simply doesn't have the ring of authenticity. It's fake, pseudo-tragic, and worst of all, overly done and far too long.

I didn't progress very far into the book at all, yet it gives the impression that I've slogged through hundreds and hundreds of pages. Styron appears to have no regard for pacing the book. He jumps back and forth in time and in and out of different perspectives, all seemingly at random. His prose and descriptions are technically proficient, yet fatally lacking in substance, charm, and life. I would only recommend this to readers who struggle with insomnia.

Perhaps if Styron had focused more on developing the characters and making their emotions and experiences relatable, the book might have had a chance. But as it stands, it's a disappointment.

About half-way through the story, it started to bear a striking resemblance to a soap opera. However, just when it seemed to be losing its grip, it would suddenly regain its sharpness, compelling me to continue reading. The main characters made efforts to appear genuine but somehow never fully achieved that authenticity. I suppose that was the intended point. In contrast, some of the characters with smaller roles, who were politely referred to as "Nigra" by their white superiors, did manage to come alive at certain moments. Reading this book right after Styron's work on Nat Turner was quite disorienting. They are like two sides of a social and historical coin, presenting different perspectives and insights into the complex fabric of society and history.

Here is a prime example of a novel in which there are no likable characters, yet it remains a captivating read. In essence, the story is about broken individuals who enter into marriage, endure a broken marriage, and raise broken children.

Personally, I believe that the last two chapters, namely the stream of consciousness chapter and the black revival chapter, do not precisely fit or function well. This is the reason why I did not assign a higher rating to this novel. I can fathom the inclusion of the stream of consciousness chapter, but I truly do not comprehend the significance of the last chapter.

Perhaps the author intended to convey a certain message or evoke a particular emotion through these chapters, but it simply did not resonate with me. However, despite these shortcomings, the overall narrative of the novel was engaging enough to keep me reading until the end.

It makes one wonder if a story can still be successful and impactful even without characters that one can easily root for. This novel certainly challenges that notion and forces readers to consider the complex and often flawed nature of human relationships.

Peyton Loftis was born into comfortable circumstances in a sleepy Virginia seaport. She was gifted with a fine mind, a lofty spirit, exceptional poise, a wry sense of humor, and stunning good looks. One would think she should have had a life full of uncommon satisfactions.

However, instead, she was tormented from early childhood by a sense of being unloved and unworthy of love. William Styron's debut novel, published in 1951, tells the story of her tragedy. Outwardly, Peyton seems blessed in many ways. But inwardly, she is cursed by self-loathing, and her self-destructive tendencies grow more pronounced over time.

The reader is carried along by a dark tide of events as Peyton grows. She evolves from a precocious and captivating little girl to an adored college co-ed and then to a lost bohemian in the northern cities. Despite her charm, the Virginia debutante raised as an aristocrat struggles to fit into the modern world. Like Lily Bart before her, she can't escape the role of a prized possession.

Peyton's attempts to adjust to modern, northern life end in disaster. Married to a Jewish painter, she finds the demands of marriage unfamiliar. The modern world with its jazz singers and diverse population is too much for her refined sensibilities.

Staggering through the sweltering streets, lost in an alien landscape, Peyton realizes her inexorable fate. "LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS" contains some outdated ideas about southern females, but the tragedy of Peyton Loftis remains poignant. Styron wrote this book before thirty, and though his career continued, he never reached the heights of this debut novel again.

I'm going to commence this review with the thought that at some point, someone had informed this individual that he possessed a gift for descriptive prose, and he erroneously believed that he could pen an entire book filled with it. Oh boy, did he ever! There were three pages dedicated to describing a character walking through a door, and then another three pages to depict how it felt to walk through that door, along with even more descriptions of the memories that were triggered by walking through the door. I'm certain it's an exaggeration, yet it feels true.

I will offer the disclaimer that I tend to be a plot-driven reader, but I'm quite capable of appreciating vivid and significant descriptive prose. However, this was simply far too excessive. So, I reached the end and read about the author, whose name I didn't recognize when I started, and realized what a literary rock star this guy was. He won a Pulitzer Prize (not for this book), and I'd even read his work before. "Sophie's Choice" has one of my all-time favorite opening lines. I couldn't fathom that this book was by the same author. Granted, it was his first novel, and he was only 26, so I give him credit for improving. I just don't comprehend all the critical acclaim he received for this endeavor.

I give myself credit for persevering through this book. I was determined to do so, and I feel as if I've achieved a small victory. I'd describe how it feels, but I simply don't have the stomach for it. My recommendation is to go directly to "Sophie's Choice." However, be prepared, as he doesn't write cheerful books.

It is truly a pity that Styron writes with such remarkable skill. This enables him to craft one of the most profound explorations into the dark recesses of a family, delving into depression, illness, promiscuity bordering on incest, cruelty, and evil. It is a journey that I can vividly recall reading. Wow, what a powerful and disturbing account!
William Styron painstakingly traces the web of betrayals and infidelities that plague the family. These are the legacies of spite and love that is perpetually disappointed. The story unfolds with a raw and unflinching honesty, laying bare the human condition in all its complexity and ugliness. It makes for a captivating yet deeply unsettling read.
Styron's ability to bring these themes to life on the page is nothing short of masterful. He weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking, forcing the reader to confront the darker side of human nature. It is a testament to his talent as a writer that he can create such a vivid and unforgettable portrait of a family in turmoil.