Staphis Orphanos

William Styron

William Styron to appear at the University Bookstore

One of America's foremost novelists, William Styron, will be at the University Bookstore May 18th at 7 p.m. for a reading and book signing. The event will be free and open to the public.

Styron's appearance is part of "All Virginia Reads" -- a joint project of the Library of Virginia, the Library of Virginia Foundation, and the Virginia Center for the Book -- intended to foster a renewed interest in reading across the Commonwealth, to promote books and excellence in literature, and to begin a statewide dialogue about indifference, intolerance, hatred and injustice. The program invites all Virginians to read Styron's masterpiece, Sophie's Choice, in the year 2000 and to participate in statewide community discussions about the issues and themes explored in the book.

For a current listing of "All Virginia Reads" partners, sponsors, events, or to receive study and reading guides for Sophie's Choice, please visit the program's home page at http://www.lva.lib.va.us.

Styron, born in 1925 in Newport News, is the author of the novels, Sophie's Choice, Lie Down in Darkness, Set this House on Fire, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Confessions of Nat Turner. In 1990 he published a memoir, Darkness Visible, chronicling his long struggle with depression. He is currently at work on a novel drawing on his experiences as a Marine in World War II.

Seating is limited at the bookstore, so listeners are advised to come early. The U.Va. Bookstore is located atop the University Central Grounds Parking Garage on Emmet Street. For information, call 924-1073 or see http://www.bookstore.virginia.edu/