Darkness Visible by William Styron; Had anyone read this nonfiction account of depression by world famous author, William Styron?
Darkness Visible by William Styron;
Had anyone read this nonfiction account of depression by world famous author, William
Styron?
I read it some years ago – it is short, but quite powerful and profound. I experienced a physical response to a particular passage that has stayed with me.
@Ken can you share the passage, not to intrude on your deeply personal interpretations, just interested.
Ken Saunders:
Interesting comment about a physical response, but did you also experience a psychological response?
Yes, that marvelous author struggled with debilitating depression his entire life. Correlation between the struggle to create and exist in well balanced relationships is real.
My favorite of his books is Sophie’s Choice.
I found this book heartbreaking. We hear (and read) a lot about women and depression. This is one of the few books that discusses the experiences of men. The book is a small jewel about a huge problem in the United States.
@Rebecca I agree, with your education and experience I certainly respect your opinion. The book is heartbreaking. Are you familiar with the short story The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman?
I read The Yellow Wall Paper several years ago.
Hi Evelyn. How interesting that you mentioned this. I downloaded it to my Kindle but have not read it yet!
@Rebecca you will be intrigued, please when you read it, let me know what you think. Thank you
I will do that.
Men and depression ? Do you know that depression seems to strike men who are very creative (authors, artists, etc) and also well educated.
How many famous authors have talen their own lives because of depression?
I knew a man , when I was growing.up , who used to take his trash down to an empty lot everynight
and burn it next to a large pole.Then he went home.
One day the City decided to take the pole down but not replace it.
A very few days later the man killed himself.
I’ve always thought the burning of trash was very therapeutic to this man and when the pole was removed, he no longer could cope with.his daily mental issues, for which the trash burning had been a balm.
I’m always reminded of the saying “Behind closed doors ” because we don’t know what goes on behind the doors of our neighbors and we don’t know what goes on beyond their faces
and inside their souls.
Hi Kathy. What a sad story in this man’s life!
Read it some time ago.interesting comments about men and depression. I did not read it that way. I saw it as his account of his experience. I then related to his writing/story. Excellent book.
I think many of us find solace in routine, what we might perceive as rituals. Most of us are capable to adapt if our routines change, though they often hold the fabric of our lives together, even to some our superstitions or habits seem eccentric. In chaos routine is often safe, a life raft so to speak.
Yes!thank u for that. It has been going thru my mind a lot lately. Thought I was only one who thought this…
Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health issues in the US. Women are often over medicated for depression, while men often drink to hide (or mask) their depression. F. Scott Fitzgerald basically drank himself to death. He borrowed heavily on the writings and life of his wife (Zelda) and much of HIS fame is based on HER mental health problems. In contrast, Zelda’s creativity and literary contributions are often ignored. It is so sad.
@Rebecca I agree 100% what an excellent example. I have read Fitzgerald many times but I became much more interested in Zelda. I have been to the place in Ashville several times where Zela died in the fire at the Highland Hospital. Tragic, she was a writer, a painter, dancer and obviously Scott’s muse.
I read sophie’s choice and I remember Nathan, a charming and intelligent and decent man, had some kind of horrible mental illness that turned him, from time to time, into a vicious monster.
Hemingway killed himself with a shot gun blast that sprayed his brain across the room
I knew a couple who decided on a suicide -murder compact.
The husband first shot his wife to death in tbeir apartment..Then.he.put.his shot gun.in.his mouth and.blew his.own.head.off.
They were a.middle aged.couple, while I was.only 14 years old.
So sad and so hopeless . Such is the life for too many human.beings, who sadly lead “..lives of quiet desperation”
An invaluable and inspirational book for those of us with depression.
I actually downloaded this book a few months ago but haven’t read it yet. It may just hit too close to home for me (I have struggled with depression and anxiety off and in for most of my adult life. There’s also a strong family history of depression and anxiety disorders).
There is a strong genetic basis for both disorders.