In this extraordinary novel, Stingo, an inexperienced twenty-two year old Southerner, takes us back to the summer of 1947 and a boarding house in a leafy Brooklyn suburb. There he meets Nathan, a fiery Jewish intellectual; and Sophie, a beautiful and fragile Polish Catholic. Stingo is drawn into the heart of their passionate and destructive relationship as witness, confidant and supplicant. Ultimately, he arrives at the dark core of Sophie's past: her memories of pre-war Poland, the concentration camp and - the essence of ...
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In this extraordinary novel, Stingo, an inexperienced twenty-two year old Southerner, takes us back to the summer of 1947 and a boarding house in a leafy Brooklyn suburb. There he meets Nathan, a fiery Jewish intellectual; and Sophie, a beautiful and fragile Polish Catholic. Stingo is drawn into the heart of their passionate and destructive relationship as witness, confidant and supplicant. Ultimately, he arrives at the dark core of Sophie's past: her memories of pre-war Poland, the concentration camp and - the essence of her terrible secret - her choice.
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Sophie's Choice is an excellent work of literature. It shows life in reality. Friends are not always friendly and lovers are not always in love with each other forever. This book is an amazing depiction of how an overly romanticized idea of life can lead to utter disaster. I would reccomend this book to anyone.
sd6161
Sep 16, 2007
Tragic and Tender
In William Styron's Sophie's Choice, the refined story teller of great accomplisment creates a work in which reader's are associated into lives of great dispair. The era of the story is post WWII with vivid flashbacks to the European tragedies while under seige. Styron's character's are multi-layered so as to connect any reader in some form or fashion. A tender story surrounded by tragedy. Styron's writing has been noted to be akin to that of Faulkner's. I agree.
57tbird
Apr 26, 2007
I did not see the move and had not read the book, but knew the overall story. Finally decided to read it, and it was not worth the effort. The overall premise of the book is good, however, it drags everything out. I also thought the book focused more on the uninteresting life of the storyteller rather than on the tales Sophie was telling him. I really thought Sophie's character would be more developed. Disappointing read.
