Darkness Visible (novel)

Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness is a non-fiction book by American author William Styron, published in 1990. The book chronicles Styron's descent into, and eventual recovery from, severe depression. The title is derived from a line in John Milton's Paradise Lost (Book I, line 63): "No light, but rather darkness visible."

The memoir details the onset of Styron's depression, describing the physical and psychological symptoms he experienced, including insomnia, loss of appetite, despair, and suicidal ideation. He explores potential causes, reflecting on his past, his relationships, and the role of alcohol in exacerbating his condition.

Darkness Visible is notable for its unflinching and honest portrayal of depression, a topic often stigmatized and misunderstood at the time of its publication. Styron's work helped to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, particularly for men, who are often less likely to seek help. The book also explores the limitations of language in describing the subjective experience of depression, highlighting the inadequacy of everyday vocabulary to convey the depth and intensity of the suffering it causes.

The memoir received critical acclaim and won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1991. It is considered a significant contribution to the literature on mental illness and continues to be widely read and discussed.