Darkness Visible -- William Styron

A BRILLIANT work by William Styron, author of Sophie's Choice, and winner of many literary honors, about his descent into Depression. An absolutely phenomenal book, I felt I was reading my own life at times. This book was the like-minded friend I never had. Every page was so deep and as profound a look than I have ever read. His depiction of depression was so spot on, and the very fact that this disease is so indescribable for many makes this literary feat all the more impressive.

The book takes place from Styron's memory of his time in Paris in 1985. He was accepting an award, the Prix Mondial Cinco del Duca, when the worst of his depression set in. He recounts the mental breakdown through the 84 page memoir, as well as recounting the suicides of friends near and dear to him.

His imagery has hit the mark in describing a depressive state of mind: "Of the many dreadful manifestations of the disease, both physical and psychological, a sense of self-hatred --or, put less categorically, a failure of self-esteem--is one of the most universally experienced symptoms, and I had suffered more and more from a general feeling of worthlessness as the malady had progressed."

The insights into his own condition gives the reader a sense of understanding about this illusive illness: it is as if they were Styron themselves, figuring it out for the first time. It is a dark piece of literature exploring the the symptoms, causes, and what it means to terminate one's own life, from the standpoint of others as well as from the mind of a depressive state. This book approaches the topic of suicide in a poetic and empathetic standpoint, while maintaining the seriousness and finality of the act. But the book makes no judgments as to the morality of the act. As Styron probes: whether we choose to live or to die is the ultimate of philosophical questions.

Every page is riddled with incredibly profound insights about an illness which effects so many people in the world and America. It is sad to think that it still carries the shame and unimportance that it does, especially next to more socially significant illnesses and diseases such as Cancer and Diabetes, which as Styron points out, have (in the case of Diabetes) things one can do to immediate solve the imbalance of chemicals. The pain of Depression is not as easy to target with such immediacy.

This book captivated me from beginning to end and, without intending this next pun, I booked through it. Every word was food, and I was starving. Depression seems to effect women a lot more than men, and artists more than non artists, but it seems that throughout history both sexes have suffered at it's terrible hands. It's a must read for anyone having dealt with a depressed person, ever been depressed at one time, or are currently depressed.

This book just blew my mind.