Darkness Visible : A Memoir of Madness

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Summary: Darkness Visible and a personal revelation
Review: When I was 23, a work colleague--someone I hardly knew--casually passed me a copy of DARKNESS VISIBLE telling me that it was a really good book and I should read it. I couldn't figure out why she felt compelled to give me this slim, beat-up hardcover. I never really gave her any idea of of the types of books I enjoyed nor did I have any idea what this book was about. I had however, just begun to notice that I had been feeling really terrible, lost and miserable--inexplicably so. I remember several times, looking out the window at work and having an internal debate about whether or not I wanted to jump. I would try to judge how attractive ending my life would be and if I found that I didn't want to go through the mess of killing myself, I figured that this meant that I was OK. But I wasn't. And it wasn't made clear to me until I read this book and suddenly I was reading on paper all the exact same feelings I was having. Feelings that I could not describe, feelings that equalled a name I couldn't dare utter aloud or even in my own head: depression. In many ways, this book saved my life.

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Summary: A Survivor Speaks
Review: Before I read this book I would have to admit that my idea of depression was naive to say the least. In this day and age it seems that depression has become a catchall term for the psychological malaise of the masses. Styron has succeded brilliantly in revealing the real face of depression through his own harrowing journey into the depths of psychological agony. Not only does Styron narrate his own descent into depression, but he gives the reader a glimpse of how this disease has affected other writers, driving many to suicide, and fatalistic behavior. Albert Camus's story is especially poignant, as Styron relates how he was to meet with him in France, but before the meeting came about Camus was killed in an automobile accident. Styron suggests that this accident was perhaps what Camus wished, for the driver of the car was known to be especially reckless, and prone to accident. In this short work he also relates the tragic stories of Randall Jarrell, Abbie Hoffman, Primo Levi, and Romain Gary, illustrating his kinship to other writers who have suffered from the same terrible demons of depression. In the end, these relationships may have had a great influence in allowing Styron to pull himself from the brink of suicide and once again enjoy the light of the sun. This is a great work, one that gives an accurate picture of a form of mental dis-ease that is to this day widely misunderstood.

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Summary: tells you how it is
Review: I suffered from depression and suicidal tendencies (and attempts) when I happened to find that book. What a coincidence. I was looking for Styron's 'Lie Down in Darkness' and found this one. It struck me that what Styron describes in 'Darkness Visible' was exactly how I felt in that very moment. My biggest problem was that people I thought were good friends turned away from me because they didn't understood my illness, thought I use the word 'illness' as an excuse to be lazy, or use it in order to blackmail them. Styron had the same experience. I wish more 'healthy' people would read this book. Less 'friends' would turn away.

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Summary: An Honest Portrayal
Review: Wow! What a gut-wrenching story! Stick yourself in a world where your home is now your prison. Where every day seems like a relentless effort, filled with paralyzing fear, complete self-loathing, and agonizing hopelessness. Then watch several of your friends die from this same affliction. That's where this guy was at. I'm glad this book was 84 pages instead of 300 because of the unflinching honesty in what Styron had to say. He talks about his depression, the onset, and (much later in the book), what triggered it.His portrayal of the psychiatric profession was chilling. But he managed to seek out an intelligent doctor, who helped him through the illness. He has since come out of his depression, which he says has to run its course, despite all the pills and therapy that are available today.This book was very educational. It helped me recognize some of my own symptoms and made me realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel­­pardon the cliche'. I would recommend this book to anyone who has loved ones who are suffering from this crippling disease.

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Summary: Pompous, and narrow-minded, but there is some good stuff too
Review: I'll start by saying this is the worst book I ever read cover to cover. Which says something I guess, since I did take the time (it is very short) to finish it. Through-out the book I was continually annoyed at his long-winded, elitest wording and attitude. In truth, it really started to tick me off as I read on. But I did read on, and did relate to positively to a great many things in the book. Even though it is not exactly my cup-of-tea, I am glad this book was written. Any time somebody has the honesty and courage to share such personal experiences, it's worth a look.

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Summary: Enlightening
Review: If you don't have depression, but love someone who does - read this book! It has changed my whole perspective and given me a greater understanding of my loved one's illness.

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Summary: depression is madness not sadness
Review: When I read Darkness Visible, I was in a 14-16 day black hole of madness and depression. Styron's memoir moved me to begin exploring more deeply and honestly the degree of loss I have experienced in my life and how it has affected me mentally. The book helped lift me out of the my dark bout. Later it helped me be more open and knowledgeable with both a colleague and a student suffering from depression. I gave Styron's book to both of them. They were both very grateful and both passed the book on to others. I was especially happy that my student enjoyed the book -- from the point when she read it until the end of the quarter she seemed liberated, more confident, and certainly more open. I think Styron opened her eyes to possibilities for herself as a sufferer of depression that she hadn't seen before.

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Summary: 4 Stars
Review: When this book was recomended to me by a friend and fellow depression sufferer, I was skeptical. Depression is not easy to describe, even to my psychiatrist. As I started to read, though, I realized that not only had Mr. Styron managed to share his experience of the nebulous monster that is depression, but he was able to lead me to a greater understanding of my own struggles with it. I passed the book along to a friend who had stood by me in the long nights but had never experienced the illness first hand. His impression was very different from mine, in part because he read it as a reference, but more so because he could not personally relate. Perhaps the greatest lesson this book delivers, then, is that understanding depression may only be possible (if it is possible at all) by those who have experienced it. If you suffer from depression, this book may help to remind you that you are not alone. If you don't, it may only enable you to further understand (though not completely) the disruptive, pervasive nature of the disease.

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Summary: Styron in WAY too small a nutshell
Review: Styron is a master of the written word...although he does at times get a triffle long winded in this novel. This novel definetely offers some insight into the world of William Styron, and if you bother to read any of his works of fiction, read this book first...you may come to realize what drove him to create some of his most passionate characters. The language in this book is beautiful; I wish that he had touched upon more external subjects in his life. It is a good 80+ page read, just be prepared to read it all the way through in one sitting, it a hard book to pick up again once it is put down. Lacks in the essential dramatic essence of a good autobiography. Although I am most certainly glad he didn't include (any known) false information. He didn't lie, and quiet frankly, the only way this book could have been more interesting was if Stryon would have added a few untruths to keep the plot of the book from becoming tedious. But this book is Styron's life, and I am glad he portrayed it in an honest manner.

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Summary: A Great Gift to Us
Review: It is wonderful that a writer of Styron's calibre has given to us such a cogent and humane description of one of the great plagues of our times -- depression. He has truly opened his soul and showed us the agony of depression with, fortunately, a "happy" ending. At the very end there is a glimpse of hope; that commodity for which the depressed soul yearns. I cannot recommend this book too highly. After reading it I felt I became more of a member of the human race!