William Styron traces the betrayals and infidelities—the heritage of spite and endlessly disappointed love—that afflict the members of a Southern family and that culminate in the suicide of the beautiful Peyton Loftis.

Lie Down in Darkness

I'm going to begin this review with the thought that somewhere along the line, someone had told this guy that he had a gift for descriptive prose and he got the erroneous idea that he could write an entire book of it. Boy, did he! There were three pages of description of a character walking through a door then three more pages to describe how it felt to walk through the door with more descriptions of the memories that were triggered by walking through the door. I'm sure it's an exaggeration but it feels true. I will provide the disclaimer that I tend to be a plot-driven reader but I'm quite capable of appreciating vivid and important descriptive prose but this was just way too much. So I get to the end and read about the author whose name I did not recognize when I began and realize what a rock star this guy was. He won a Putlitzer Prize (not for this book)and I'd even read his stuff before. Sophie's Choice has one of my favorite opening lines ever. I couldn't believe 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 understand all the critical acclaim he earned for this effort.  I give myself credit for making it through this book. I was determined to do it and I feel like I'd won a small victory. I'd describe how it feels but I just don't have the stomach for it. My recommendation is to go straight to Sophie's Choice. Be prepared, however, as he does not write happy books.

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