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Summary: a way with words
Review: Styron has an in depth knowledge of what it is like to live with a demon known as depression. He adequately shares what the demon does and how it makes life sometimes impossible to get through each day and ultimately, if treated improperly or not at all, the ultimate down side to it is the loss of life.
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Summary: A Story To Relate To
Review: Darkness Visible is not a complete description of depression. It depicts only one example of many varieties and symptoms of the disease. What makes the essay wonderful to me is because it is a written personal experience, rather than an encyclopedic reference. What startles me about my own experience of the disease is the fact that even after I have recovered from it, I am still somewhat left in the dark. This, I thought, is parallel to Styron's story. Although he was obviously aware of the possible culprits of his illness, in the end he really wasn't sure. Indeed, one frustrating aspect of depression is the fact that there are still so many unknowns of its nature. Styron found solace in knowing that others, such as the literary friends that he mentioned a great deal in the essay, suffered from depression. My reason for reading this essay was because I wanted to find someone to relate to because for the longest time it felt as if I was the only one suffering from it.The book is so conveniently short and makes a great reading for those suffering depression or know of one. To be honest, I failed to finish this book the first time because I had a ridiculously short attention span during my illness. I read it after recovery and felt that it may be the best way to explain what I was going through to to loved ones.
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Summary: A Most Amazing Book
Review: A very quick but powerful read, Mr. Styron describes for us what his depression was like and how he was able to overcome it. Truth resounds in this book. I found myself on every other page. Anyone who needs affirmation, those who love someone who suffers depression, those who just need to know what it's like, should read this book.
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Summary: Only could be done by one who was there.
Review: I have suffered from episodic depression since I was a boy. I have had insulin shock in 1966, and electric shock in 2000. Both times, I had become suicidal. In between, I drank heavily for some 20 years. When I quit, the depression returned, and I wish Styron had written more on that particular phenomenon. I am convinced alcohol abuse is unintended self-therapy for depression. Othewise, the book is a gem. It describes as well as any work I have seen, the despair, confusion, and feeling of uselessness that attend this serious malady. Only after reading this, and two other books recommended by my psychiatrist, have I come to see that depression is an illness that can be treated, not a shameful lack of courage and discipline that can be used to further aggravate the condition itself. I hope never to go back where I've been, but books like Mr. Styron's have taught that help is there before things get out of control, if I do. The highest possible recommendation is given, not only to sufferers but to their families and friends.
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Summary: help others understand depression
Review: Parts of this book made me cry because I identified so closely with Styron's descriptions. I want my family to read it so they can really understand what I have gone through. Styron describes it in a way I have never been able to and the book is short and to the point. I loved it.
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Summary: Excellent description of depression
Review: Very good book on describing the creeping darkness of depression. How many times have I been advised by someone to just snap out of it only to respond in some mumbled puzzlement. This book should be required reading for anyone suffering from depression or for anyone close to some with this awful disease. I related to many of his insights although I don't necessarily agree with his assessment of drug therapy. I can and does help many sufferers. At any rate, that should not stop anyone from buying this book.
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Summary: Written with an understanding that only comes from within!!
Review: This is a must read. Rarely is a book written about mental illness with such clarity. Mr. Styron has captured the essence of this illness in words. Possibly the most descriptive book written about this long and most difficult journey. Thank you for your courage!
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Summary: Valuable Insights
Review: This Pulizter Prize winning author wrote eliquently about his struggles with depression. I've seen some reviews I don't agree with. This book has helped me and has helped many, many others who truly understand the despair resulting from clinical depression. No, none of us have all the answers about how to conquer this illness, but in his compassion he helped us all feel that we are never alone and that help is out there, no matter how medical technology is behind on this issue.
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Summary: ohhhh?!
Review: This book was pretty outstanding as one man's account of his personal experience with depression. Lucidly written it drew you right into it - and then stopped. just like that, all of a sudden. the book is unseemingly short but nevertheless is a damn fine read.
Rating: 
Summary: Frustrating and (I felt) inaccurate portrayal
Review: This book was very frustrating for me to read, I do not feel like Styron painted a very accurate portrayal of depression, he seemed to believe that is a disease that you get and then can just get over and he leaves out many factors which should probably carry a lot more weight (he was an alcoholic for years, and he suffered some childhood trauma, which he does not elaborate upon). Also the way he both decides to live and the way in which he overcomes his depression seems glib and unrealistic.
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