I read almost half of this book and gradually realized that I had no interest in finishing it at all.

The book commences with the tragic death of Helen and Milton Loftis’s daughter, Peyton. Milton, unfortunately, is a womanizing alcoholic, while Helen is a cold and controlling martyr.

The narrative then delves back into this family’s dreadfully troubled past. I simply couldn't bring myself to continue reading about their numerous cruelties, not only to each other but also to themselves.

There are far too many other books that I am eagerly looking forward to reading. Therefore, with a sense of relief, I am bidding this one farewell.

I believe that there are better literary adventures waiting for me out there, and I'm excited to explore them.

A tragic story of a horribly dysfunctional family

This was Styron's first work of fiction, written when he was just 26 years old. It delves deep into the dark and disturbing secrets of a family that is far from normal. The characters are complex and flawed, and their actions and relationships are both captivating and horrifying.

I wish some of the overly descriptive passages that didn't really advance the themes had been edited out. They sometimes felt like they were just there to add words rather than contribute to the overall story. However, despite this flaw, the book was still extremely powerful and disturbing.

I actually tried to stop reading it at one point because it was so difficult to stomach. But it haunted me and wouldn't leave my mind, so I had to finish it. Peyton, the supposed heroine, has no chance of a decent life. There are strong suggestions of an incestuous relationship with her father, which only adds to the sense of tragedy and despair.

Overall, this is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. It's a powerful exploration of family, love, and the dark side of human nature.

What a truly remarkable debut! Styron has once again demonstrated his extraordinary talent, leaving readers both deeply moved and thoroughly entertained.

From the very first page, his powerful writing grips the audience and refuses to let go.

His words flow like a river, carrying the reader along on a journey filled with emotion, excitement, and thought-provoking ideas.

Each sentence is crafted with precision and care, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and evoking a wide range of emotions.

Whether it's the intense drama, the touching moments of love and friendship, or the thrilling action scenes, Styron's writing brings it all to life in the most vivid and engaging way.

It's no wonder that he is considered one of the greatest writers of our time.

This debut is just the beginning of what promises to be an amazing career, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next.

Talk about mental illness - this book truly had a profound impact on me, making me seriously consider seeking the help of a therapist. It delved into extremely dark and complex themes, vividly demonstrating how the "sins of the fathers" can have a lasting and often tragic influence on their children.

However, it didn't stop there. The story explored the individual demons that the mother, father, and daughter had to grapple with. Each character was burdened by their own inner turmoil, which added an extra layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.

The writing was truly excellent, but it was also incredibly difficult to read at times. I had to force myself to keep turning the pages, constantly waiting for that one crucial "revelation" that would make everything clear. But Styron, in his masterful way, chose not to write it in such a straightforward manner. Instead, he left the readers to piece together the story and draw their own conclusions, which made the reading experience all the more thought-provoking and memorable.

This book was truly a complete waste of time.

I simply can't believe that I spent so much time and energy laboring over the whole thing. I persisted through every page, hoping against hope that it would somehow get better by the end. But alas, my hopes were in vain.

The story seemed to lack any real substance or direction. The characters were one-dimensional and failed to engage me on any level. The writing style was平淡无奇 and did nothing to enhance the overall experience.

In the end, I was left feeling disappointed and frustrated. I wish I had never picked up this book in the first place. It was a total disappointment and a waste of my precious time.

I read this first novel of William Styron approximately 30 years ago when I was in my twenties.

Back then, I would have unhesitatingly given it five stars. However, now I rate it four stars.

The book delves into the story of an extremely dysfunctional Tidewater Virginia family that has pretensions to being part of the "FFV" (the aristocracy of that state).

It focuses on the tragic relationship between the alcoholic father, his highly neurotic wife, and their lovely and sensitive daughter, Peyton.

When I first read it, I was deeply enamored with the highly dramatic and emotionally charged relationships among the main characters.

But now, I find all that to be somewhat overwrought and adolescent in its excesses.

Nevertheless, the book remains very moving. The tragedy is searing, and the final chapter, written in a James Joycean stream-of-consciousness style, lingers with you for a long time.

It makes you reflect on the complex nature of family relationships and the devastating impact of dysfunction and tragedy.

Despite its flaws, it is still a remarkable work that showcases Styron's talent as a writer.

The story presented here is that of what might just be the most dysfunctional family in existence. Milton Loftis is a womanizing and creepy individual who harbors lustful feelings towards his own daughter, Peyton. Meanwhile, Helen, the mother, loathes Peyton because of this and instead dotes over Maudie, the other "crippled" daughter.

William Styron achieved great acclaim, winning the Pulitzer Prize for his later work, The Confessions Of Nat Turner, which tells the story of a rebellious slave. He was perhaps most famous for another book, Sophie's Choice, which was adapted into an award-winning movie. His writing in this particular work gives a sense of literary grandeur, with the structure of an old classic.

However, be warned, this book is depressingly dark. In fact, the title Lie Down In Darkness is highly appropriate, and perhaps Lie Down And Wallow In Darkness would have been an even better fit. The characters are well-developed, but there is not a single one that one would desire to know. Frankly, I was extremely grateful not to be able to connect with any of this severely damaged group. Lol!

This is a catch-up review for On The Southern Literary Trail - 3 stars.

Styron's first published novel is a laborious yet highly rewarding endeavor.

It brings to mind Faulkner due to the astonishingly deep psychological characterization.

If you are in search of a tightly-knit plot, then this novel may not be for you.

At certain moments, the details can seem cumbersome and overly wrought.

Nevertheless, the novel often shines with brilliance in Styron's masterful descriptive writing and his exquisite sensitivity to the inner workings of his characters.

His ability to paint vivid pictures and explore the complex emotions and thoughts of his characters is truly remarkable.

Although it may have its flaws in terms of plot structure, the overall quality of the writing and the depth of the characterizations make this novel a worthwhile read for those who appreciate literary excellence.

Styron's debut novel is a testament to his talent and creativity as a writer, and it offers readers a unique and engaging literary experience.

I obtained this book during a sale on BookBub. The reason was that I had a great affection for Styron’s Sophie’s Choice. Styron is regarded as a Southern writer. And this debut novel, which was written when he was merely 26 years old, is reminiscent of Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, although it is more accessible.

It tells the story of the tidewater Virginian Loftis family and their internal disintegration. The events occur in the 1940s, with outside events like WWII existing only peripherally. The alcoholic husband and father, Milton, adores and spoils his troubled daughter Peyton, who is despised by her unstable mother Helen. Helen prefers the older and crippled Maudie, whose mind is that of a child.

Styron’s prose is magnificent, albeit a bit wordy. It is narrated in a stream of consciousness with such descriptive prose that it vividly leaps off the page. The characters are well-developed, and the dialog is realistic, although a bit dated. Hints of incest surface amid the larger themes of alcoholism, dysfunction, madness, and death. A sense of doom and dread pervades the entire plot, and the ending is sad but not unexpected, as it signals the family’s ultimate downfall. I highly recommend this book with a rating of 4.5 stars.

I firmly believe that this is the very novel that 'Stingo' (the young Styron) is penning in 'Sophie's Choice', which revolves around the suicide of his first love.

It is a deeply disturbing and challenging read that unmistakably foreshadows Styron's greatest literary achievements.

The way it handles mental illness, with the use of the Freudian parlance characteristic of the late 1940s, gives the impression of being somewhat outdated in today's context.

However, despite this, the novel still manages to captivate readers with its raw emotions and powerful storytelling.

It forces us to confront the harsh realities of life and the human psyche, making us question our own beliefs and values.

Styron's ability to create such complex and believable characters is truly remarkable, and this early work serves as a testament to his talent and potential as a writer.

Overall, while it may have its flaws, this novel is an important part of Styron's literary canon and a must-read for anyone interested in the human condition.

Dorothy Parker talked about this book in an interview, so I decided to get it.

Wow. The first 360 odd pages were intricate and tightly woven, creating this tragic tapestry. At first, I was upset with the POV change. However, as I continued reading, the whole thing came together to form this incredible masterpiece.

It is so real, so dark, and so disturbing. William Styron doesn't back down, and I think it takes real courage to write like this. I felt as if I was living as Peyton. Truly soul shaking.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of our actions. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the story is told with such vividness and detail that it feels as if you are right there with them.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging read. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

I'm truly over it.

I'm done with the dysfunctional Southern alcoholic family that is morbidly grieving the death of a beloved secondary character. It's just so tiresome.

I'm also over the anguish of constantly reliving the loss of the Civil War. It has become a tedious bore and I'm sick and tired of it.

Come on, William Styron! Write something else already!

Oh, you did? And it's about a lady who has to make the impossible choice of which one of her kids the Nazis will kill? Well, that's an interesting premise.

It's a departure from the previous themes and might offer a new perspective and a more engaging story.

Let's see where this takes us. Maybe it'll be a refreshing change from the repetitive and tiresome topics that have been dominating lately.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Styron develops this new story and explores the complex emotions and moral dilemmas that the lady will face.

Hopefully, it'll be a captivating read that will keep me engaged from start to finish.