William Styron

[Mirabell]

I have yet to read a novel by William Styron, but I am regularly considering getting one.

What about you?

Here is a celebration of Styron, including an account of the Nat Turner controversy: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/bo...html?ref=books

[Heteronym]

I loved reading Sophie's Choice last year: the narrative kept me in thrall from cover to cover. The characters were all fantastic: Stingo, the struggling writer and narrator with his quest to end his virginity; the tormented Sofia with her secrets; the lively Nathan with his insanity. I felt Styron had managed to put the entire world inside this novel. I've seldom read a novel with so much humanity, compassion and grief in it.

Why not start with this one, Mirabell?

[Mirabell]

Thanks. The movie always sounded somewhat sappy. Have you seen it?

Put the book on my to-buy-list now.

[Heteronym]

No, I haven't, but I doubt any movie could do justice to the complexities of the characters' relationships, or capture the confusion and horror of Stingo's narrative as he plunges deeper and deeper into Sophie's twisted past.

[Beth]

I've read The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice and would recommend both. The film does a great job bringing her internal struggle to light in subtle, slowly horrifying fashion. Worth a look see for sure.

[obooki]

I've read Sophie's Choice, too - which is unusual since it's very long for me - but I was locked up somewhere at the time with very little choice of reading material. It's enjoyable enough. I preferred Set This House On Fire though.

[Heteronym]

And what's Set This House on Fire about?

[obooki]

It's a very long time ago thatI read it: - as far as I recall, it was about a young woman who might or might not have been raped - perhaps even by the narrator, who himself was unsure, or maybe by a friend of his; - and it was set in Italy shortly after the second world war.

[Heteronym]

Now that sounds fascinating. I see Mr. Styron liked his books dark.