Set This House on Fire
Set This House on Fire
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1960
Book Brief
567
Novel • Fiction
Sardino, Italy • 1940s
1960
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Set This House on Fire by William Styron is a 1960 psychological novel narrated by a naive young American lawyer, Peter Leverett, who experiences misfortune during a vacation in Italy’s Amalfi coast. His and alcoholic Southerner Cass Kinsolving's lives intertwine after Peter suspects Cass knows something about the deaths of a local woman, Francesca Ricci, and Peter's friend, Mason Flagg, pushing deeper into their troubled pasts. This novel includes sensitive topics such as rape, murder, alcoholism, and racial abuse.
Dark
Mysterious
Melancholic
Contemplative
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
1,267 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
William Styron's Set This House on Fire has polarized critics. Praised for its intense psychological exploration and rich, evocative prose, the novel delves deeply into themes of guilt, redemption, and the human condition. However, its complex narrative structure and dense, sometimes meandering storytelling have left some readers frustrated. Both compelling and challenging, it's a thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Set This House on Fire?
Readers who relish complex psychological drama and intricate character studies, much like in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying or Richard Wright's Native Son, will appreciate William Styron's Set This House on Fire. The novel's intense exploration of moral ambiguity and existential despair will captivate fans of these profound literary works.
1,267 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
567
Novel • Fiction
Sardino, Italy • 1940s
1960
Adult
18+ years
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