This award-winning novel of love, survival, and agonizing regret in post–WWII Brooklyn “belongs on that small shelf reserved for American masterpieces” (The Washington Post Book World). Winner of the National Book Award and a modern classic, Sophie’s Choice centers on three characters: Stingo, a sexually frustrated aspiring novelist; Nathan, his charismatic but violent Jewish neighbor; and … but violent Jewish neighbor; and Sophie, an Auschwitz survivor who is Nathan’s lover. Their entanglement in one another’s lives will build to a stirring revelation of agonizing secrets that will change them forever.
Poetic in its execution, and epic in its emotional sweep, Sophie’s Choice explores the good and evil of humanity through Stingo’s burgeoning worldliness, Nathan’s volatile personality, and Sophie’s tragic past. Mixing elements from Styron’s own experience with themes of the Holocaust and the history of slavery in the American South, the novel is a profound and haunting human drama, representing Styron at the pinnacle of his literary brilliance.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of William Styron, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Styron family and the Duke University Archives.
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I did not like it as much as previews seemed to indicate. I had seen movie . Did not like characters
A beautiful book and so heartbreaking! I loved the characters and the setting and the writing is excellent! A book does not have to be happy for me to love it.
This would have been a five star book had the author not injected too frequent references to male sexual angst and performance. The real story of the book is well paced and emotionally moving. Skim through the gratuitous sex passages and enjoy the rest of a very good book.
Way too wordy. Depressing.
Simply one of the best novels ever written.
I read it so long ago I can’t remember if it was before or after the film (I loved both). I’m sure everyone knows her choice by now but back then it was a shocker. Still one of my fave reads ever.
I would not recommend this book. There was entirely too much sex.I didn’t enjoy this book.
Movie was great with Meryl Streep.
This book is gut wrenching.
Incredible story, well told.
Beautifully written and heartbreaking.
one of the best! I’m a big Styron fan and this one met all my expectations
Not an easy or quick read but one doesn’t want to put it down. The language, the rhythm, the nuances are gripping. So many cultures and personal histories so beautifully intertwined. An incredible, gripping book that lingers long after being finished.
A very well written examination of the atrocity we call the Holocaust, but it also goes so much further. I believe Styron in this novel captures the entire essence of human experience. A powerful read that deserves to be revisited.
A good read, lots of new vocabulary.
Absolute perfection! A must-read!
Great writing. One of my favorites