Novelist William Styron (born in Newport News) has died.

Novelist William Styron dies at 81
Pulitzer Prize-winning author succumbed to pneumonia

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15521076/

NEW YORK - William Styron, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist whose explorations of the darkest corners of the human mind and experience were charged by his own near-suicidal demons, died Wednesday in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. He was 81.

Styron’s daughter, Alexandra, said the author died of pneumonia at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Styron, who had homes in Martha’s Vineyard and Connecticut, had been in failing health for a long time.
© 2006 The Associated Pres

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He authored "Sophie's Choice," among other books.

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Styron was a liberal long involved in public causes, from supporting a Connecticut teacher suspended for refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance to advocating for human rights for Jews in the Soviet Union. In the 1990s, Styron was among a group of authors and historians who successfully opposed plans for a Disney theme park near the Manassas National Battlefield in northern Virginia.

Writing was an increasing struggle in his latter years. Styron was reportedly working on a military novel, yet published no full-length work of fiction after “Sophie’s Choice,” which came out in 1979. He did remain well connected, whether socializing with President Clinton on Martha’s Vineyard or joining Arthur Miller and Gabriel Garcia Marquez on a delegation that met with Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 2000.

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movie based on the book. The movie broke my heart.

He was such a wonderful writer.

but the plug was pulled on it halfway through production-- what a shame. Been meaning to read Lie Down in Darkness for decades now; maybe this will be my stimulus to finally get around to it. Styron was the greatest writer from southeastern Virginia-- hope that's what the local obits will say tomorrow.

Pearl Bailey was born in NN around the same time as Ella. A few years later, Keely Smith was born in Norfolk. Not sure how old she is but Della Reese IIRC was born in NN too.

about. LOVE her singing.

I did not know about Della Reese.

Cool!

but I've subsequently read several times that she was from Cleveland so am not sure what the truth is