Darkness Visible
a memoir of madness
by William Styron · first published 1990
86% recommend14% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Short, beautifully written memoir of depression that evokes its feelings vividly and is often recommended to those who have experienced it or want to understand what it is like.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
In the summer of 1985, severe depression left William Styron hopeless and suicidal. His memoir centers on his hospitalization and subsequent road to recovery. Styron’s message reminds us that as bleak as it may seem, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. Regardless of your experience, Styron will stir up strong emotions. Darkness Visible provides deep insight into what it’s like to live with depression—insight that will resonate with survivors and help those who aren’t afflicted develop a greater understanding of the pain that depression sufferers are going thr
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…article says, malfunctioning isn't a privilege of the body, minds can do it too. So the word "pathetic" is uncalled for. William Styron wrote a fantastic book about what it is like to be depressed: "Darkness Visible". Well worth a read.
on “Depression’s Upside” ↗Here's a few I've really liked that have a broader subject matter than only what you asked for. I figure that if you like to read you'd like these books. --- NON-FICTION --- Darkness Visible A Mathemematician's Apology Omnivore's Dilemma Fermat's Enigma The Code Book Born to Run Judgement of Paris Siddhartha Killing Pablo The Victorian Internet Lone Survivor I Hope They Serve Beer…
on “Ask HN: Good books?” ↗…down and it's a short read. Sometimes depression doesn't have a cause, sometimes it does. Please give it a read (not intentionally promoting amazon, easiest place to find a link): http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Visible-Madness-William-Styro...
on “I am depressed and I need someone to talk to” ↗The absolute best evocation I've yet found (and most beautifully written) on the feelings of depression is Darkness Visible by William Styron. [0] What he describes may not be accurate for all instances of depression, but he certainly hits the nail on the head for many. [0] http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Visible-Madness-William-Styro...
on “Being Suicidal: What it feels like to want to kill yourself” ↗William Styron, one of the authors quoted in the article, wrote a fascinating memoir about depression called Darkness Visible. Highly recommended!
on “Depression's Upside (2010)” ↗Compliance matters. Once a day pill is much easier to do than rework routine especially when patient has the "can't anymore" disease. Read Darkness Visible if you want to hear all about what that looks like.
on “Five minutes of exercise a day could lower blood pressure” ↗…Bukowski. Jan, 23rd 2015 6- Gang leader for a day by Sudhir Venkatesh. Feb, 6th 2015 7- Zen mind, beginner's mind by Shunryu Suzuki. Feb, 8th 2015 8- The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Feb, 23rd 2015 9- Darkness Visible by William Styron. March, 1st 2015 10- Zero to One by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters. March, 9th 2015 11- The Kaizen way: One small step can change your life by Robert Mauter. March, 11th 2015 12- Time…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗