Tell me about a book that disturbed, distressed, shocked, traumatized, or unsettled you in any way. Please elaborate on why it does.
The Real Story and Lord Foul’s Bane by Stephen Donaldson. The man is so utterly casual about rape as plot progression that it leaves me with serious questions about the author.
The Handmaid’s Tale. I started reading it recently, but it’s too much like current events. I had to stop reading. (Haven’t seen the show, either.)
Lapvona by Ottesa Moshfegh. Honestly I couldn’t even finish it, I stopped about 30-40% in. I’m not even sure how I’d describe the genre. Maybe disgusting unsettling horror? The reason I found it so unsettling is because its purposely written like that, to draw you in and then hit you with grossness. I felt like taking a shower after reading it for 15-30 minutes.
I read the blind owl recently. Not 100% sure I understood it but it left me feeling very uncomfortable Also, lapvona but some else already mentioned that.
I would have to say American Psycho was pretty fucked up and I don’t think I see it mentioned yet. Way more intense than the movie because it’s a much deeper character study. But man that Patrick Bateman has some fucking crazy thoughts
I read “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank when I was about the same age. It disturbed me beyond measure, to learn what humans can do to each other. (Still I found hope in seeing people were also willing to help.) Same topic (but from a much older woman): Margot Friedländer’s memoir “Versuche, dein Leben zu machen” (“Try to make your life”).
The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosiński, I went in the book knowing nothing about the book. It is from a young Jewish boy’s point of view during the second world war. Enough said.
Probably
The Kite Runnerbecause of the horrifc shit that happens in itdeleted by creator
The Road - Cormac McCarthy. Except I haven’t been able to finish it. I know the story, through watching the film, but the imagery in the book is so much more depressing and powerfully disturbing. When I watched the film I felt it for at least a week afterwards. I was getting that feeling each time I’d go to pick up the book of a night. I really want to read it completely, but I just can’t work myself up to it.
That’s my answer as well. The book is just so bleak. I read it over a decade ago, and I have thought about re-reading it, but can’t bring myself to do it. It is a really good read though.
RIP Cormac McCarthy. I was able to read all of The Road, but only a little bit at a time. It’s so bleak, and so realistic.
Tokyo Doesn’t Love Us Anymore was pretty dark at times. Vurt has furry incest so… yeah.
