Sophie's Choice Part 1 of 2

by William Styron

Part One Of Two Parts Stingo, our young Southern narrator. Manuscript reader for a major publisher...or...a genuine novelist soaking up the experiences that one day will re-emerge as stories of great power and precision. Nathan Landau. A charming sophisticate possessed of great intelligence...or...a classic schizophrenic, a manic depressive with a consuming distrust of his lover's fidelity. Sophie Zawistowska, the Polish Catholic immigrant, forever stamped with her decision in a Nazi Concentration Camp. Having already chosen between her homeland and freedom, she must ultimately choose between life alone and death in the arms of her lover.

Genres: Holocaust, Classics, Literary Fiction

Audio Cassette

Published January 1, 1976

About the author

William Styron (1925–2006), born in Newport News, Virginia, was one of the greatest American writers of his generation. Styron published his first book, Lie Down in Darkness, at age twenty-six and went on to write such influential works as the controversial and Pulitzer Prize–winning The Confessions of Nat Turner and the international bestseller Sophie’s Choice.

Reviews

[MihaElla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have surely expected something else. But then again what I have found in was not uninteresting. I even liked that the narrator, or maybe Stingo himself, tried to add here and there some popular episodes that only a Charles Bukowski is a master at writing about.
I didn’t like any of the characters but I felt something much stronger and durable, which presently remains unexpressed or likely impossible to express. I will definitely remember about this book, as a matter of fact I think its second volume was more thrilling and thought-provoking. Already mid-way in the second volume and I had an idea of the closing of the novel.
The chief story was really impressive. I guess I was trying to avoid letting any emotions stand in the way, and I have managed. I will try to read more, or let’s say document more on the main subject around which the story of Sophie gravitates. There are no heroes – as the Greek or Roman type – but their stories are tragic above any doubt.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chose this edition from Goodreads simply because it has the cover I remember. One of the most memorable books ever, followed by the movie of the same caliber. Note--I read it, did not listen to an audio cassette.

[Andreea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my type...

[Bogdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pretty sure I managed to find a new favorite author. I will wait until I read also the second volume to declare it officially, but as things stand, this is pretty plausible.

I liked a lot the writing style of William Styron, deeply rooted in American tradition of writing. The phrases are flowing so natural, ideas chain up together with perfect sense that it is a joy to read it.

At the beginning it may look like the main theme of the novel, a young Southerner unpublished writer struggles to find inspiration for his first novel, it is not so important. But in the end, after more things develop and the story develops, it is clear that this is just a pretext. The main topic is more related to human condition and Zeitgeist.

This helped me also understand better the term of Zeitgeist, that was a little bit fuzzy for me in the past. I also was impressed by the numerous literary and non-fictional books referenced in this novel. I believe it is the book I have read in the past years that has most of these references.

[Dora Burdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subscriu că își merită titlul de carte cult. Styron  face parte din autorii ,,generației pierdute", deci așteptările că vei citi lectură de calitate sunt pe măsură. Chiar dacă cartea se pierde uneori în detalii, subiectul m-a fascinat prin valoarea documentară a ceea ce s-a întamplat la Auschwitz, dar și prin evoluția personajului supus supliciului de acolo. Expresia folosită în vorbirea curentă: ,,la fel de greu ca în alegerea Sofiei", ce subliniază greutatea unei decizii între două alternative la fel de nefavorabile, derivă din greaua încercare la care a fost supusă Sofia în momentul trierii de catre ofițerul SS la sosirea în lagăr, ea trebuind să aleagă unul din cei doi copii spre a fi executat la moarte.

[Luana Rizea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un roman lăudat, un roman premiat, un roman despre care nu știu ce să spun, decât că îmi place și sunt abia după primul volum, am înțeles că al doilea este și mai captivant.
Un tânăr sudist, o poloneză și un evreu, 1947, imediat după cel de-al doilea război mondial.
Romanul dezvăluie ușor - ușurel aspecte ale vieții celor trei.