Why people recommend it
Time Will Darken It by William Maxwell is a quiet, deeply observant novel set in a small Illinois town during the early twentieth century, chronicling the moral complexities and domestic strains faced by a principled lawyer. On The Book Review episode A.O. Scott Talks About William Maxwell, guest AO Scott highlighted the novel alongside The Folded Leaf as early masterpieces by the author, explicitly naming it as his personal favorite among Maxwell's fictional works. Scott praised the vividness of the characterizations, drawing attention to a memorable four-year-old girl named Abigail King. Host Pamela Paul and Scott further discussed the author's broader oeuvre, mentioning other celebrated titles like So Long See You Tomorrow and They Came Like Swallows, with Paul admitting the conversation inspired an immediate desire to reread his books. The dialogue painted a picture of an author whose prose captures the subtle textures of American Midwestern life, with Time Will Darken It serving as a shining example of his psychological depth, emotional restraint, and timeless literary craftsmanship.
Who recommended it
- AO Scott Recommended
- Pamela Paul Discussed
AO Scott — 3 mentions
“and a lot of the earlier books starting with time will darken it and also the folded Leaf his third and fourth novels I said them in the wrong order”
“and it was almost like in so many of these books whether it's so long see you tomorrow or or time will darken it or they came like swallows or the late short Story collection”
“one of the most Vivid characters in time will darken it is a a four-year-old girl Abigail King”
Pamela Paul — 1 mention
“in my case I want to reread it right now but so long see you tomorrow and they came like swallows are probably the two of his best known books you mentioned earlier that time will darken it is your favorite”