Author William Styron
Event Date: Wednesday, November 4, 1998

Mr. Styron, one of America's leading novelists, appeared with James West III, author of William Styron: A Life, in this Books & Beyond program at the Library. Mr. Styron is known primarily for his novels such as Lie Down in Darkness (1951), The Confessions of Nat Turner (1967), and Sophie's Choice (1989). His most recent work, Tidewater Morning: Three Tales from Youth (1993), is a collection of stories set in his native Tidewater, Virginia.

See and hear author William Styron
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BACKGROUND:
Mr. Styron, one of America's leading novelists, and Mr. West, author of "William Styron: A Life" (Random House, 1998), will have a conversation about Styron's life's work, followed by a question-and-answer session. Mr. Styron's daughter, Susanna, will join in the conversation.

Mr. Styron is known primarily for his novels such as "Lie Down in Darkness" (1951), "The Confessions of Nat Turner" (1967), and "Sophie's Choice" (1989). His most recent work, "Tidewater Morning: Three Tales from Youth" (1993), is a collection of stories set in his native Tidewater, Virginia.

Mr. West, who has studied Mr. Styron's life and career for more than 20 years, used the Styron papers at the Library of Congress and at Duke University in producing his biography. Mr. West is Distinguished Professor of English at Pennsylvania State University and general editor of the Cambridge edition of the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald.