Disappointing. Styron waffles between descriptions of his personal experiences with a major depressive episode (which, for the most part, were bearable, despite a less-than-skilled execution) and unwarranted claims about the nature of depression, the state of research regarding depression, and its theories and causes. Styron, for the most part, does not bother to differentiate between types of depression, except in ways that are judgmental (most people who suffer from 'melancholia' never experience "true depression," whatever that is supposed to mean) or incorrect (identifying bipolar disorder as 'manic depression' and labeling it as simply another form of depression.) The book had a rambling quality, and eventually Styron began to inject ineffective, pointless references to various literary figures / works, including Emily Dickinson, Madame Bovary, and Dante, intimating that the beginning of The Inferno, with Dante's losing his way in a dark wood and then descending into hell, somehow mirrored one's 'descent' into depression.

In sum: I expected an articulate and thoughtful memoir from a writer recounting his experience with depression, and Darkness Visible let me down (a very 'depressing' experience!) I would have done better for myself to simply re-read the journals of Sylvia Plath or "Having It Out With Melancholy," by Jane Kenyon. ( )

In this short memoir chronicling the author’s own bout with depression, Styron gives us a glimpse of the pain and madness of the disease. Styron not only provides us with details of his own illness, but also expounds on the suicides and/or depression of other authors. He also gives guidelines and suggestions for action to those who have a loved one suffering with the disease.

Styron was the author of Sophie’s Choice and the Pulitzer Prize winning The Confessions of Nat Turner. He died in 2006 at the age of 81 from pneumonia. ( )

A harrowing, articulate exploration of Styron's experience with depression at age sixty. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderfully conceived and written account of Styron's struggle with depression. Despite the voracious honesty and exceptional narration construction, I think the most impressive aspect of the this short work is the bare-bones writing, which makes the 84 pages of text feel more like a thoughtful whisper. Even if one has little or no experience with chronic melancholia, this is a very illuminating and enjoyable read. ( )