William Styron

William Styron is an American novelist, born in Newport News, Virginia on June 11, 1925. He is best known for two controversial novels: the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Confessions of Nat Turner (1967), narrated by Nat Turner, the leader of an 1831 Virginia slave revolt, and Sophie's Choice (1979) which deals with the Holocaust.

Later works

Though Styron's next novel, Sophie's Choice (1979), could hardly match the furor that followed Confessions of Nat Turner, his decision to portray a non-Jewish victim of the Holocaust sparked a minor debate of its own. The novel, which tells the story of the Polish-Catholic Auschwitz survivor Sophie, her brilliant but menacing Jewish lover Nathan, and her young admirer Stingo, was a nationwide bestseller. A 1982 film version was nominated for five Academy Awards, with Meryl Streep winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Sophie.

Related Topics:
1979 - Jew - Holocaust - Polish - Catholic - Auschwitz - 1982 - Academy Awards - Meryl Streep - Academy Award for Best Actress

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In 1985, Styron suffered from a serious clinical depression which he would later recall in his popular memoir Darkness Visible (1990). His other works include a play, In the Clap Shack (1973) and a collection of his nonfiction pieces, This Quiet Dust (1982).

Related Topics:
1985 - Darkness Visible - 1990 - In the Clap Shack - 1973 - This Quiet Dust - 1982

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