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Original poster

Books that are painful to read, but EVERYONE should!

95 replies

expatinscotland · 28/03/2006 10:13

I'll start:

Schindler's List

All Quiet on the Western Front

The Colour Purple

OP posts:
eastofeden · 28/03/2006 16:18

Dispatches - Herr
Bleak House - Dickens
Lord of the Flies - Golding

Nightynight · 28/03/2006 13:20

the Tortilla Curtain, by TC Boyle, which contains some uncomfortable truths about immigration and people's attitudes towards it.

geekgrrl · 28/03/2006 12:26

As spacedonkey mentioned, If This is a Man/The Truce by Primo Levy, and expat's All Quiet on the Western Front
I agree with Kathy - all those 'abused child now writing in gory details about the experience' books - what exactly do they (the books, not the authors) set out to achieve? They seem almost pornographic in a way.
And books by people dying of cancer - also can't really see the point. I have read John Diamond's books, too, and felt sorry for him and his family. But so many people die of cancer every day - why should I feel particularly sorry for him (this sounds really mean looking at it written down - it's not meant to be, honestly!).

culottee · 28/03/2006 12:21

Beloved - Toni Morrison

Yes to Grapes of Wrath too.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 28/03/2006 12:14

Oh yes the Grapes of Wrath, a brilliant book.

Flamesparrow · 28/03/2006 12:14

The grapes of wrath

Oh, and The Light in the Window (I think that was what it was called) - about a catholic home for unmarried mothers :( Very painful reading about how they were treated - made worse knowing that my gran was sent to a similar place.

Kathy1972 · 28/03/2006 12:12

I understand wanting to encourage others to read books which really teach you something about the world (Color Purple or Ivan Denisovitch would be good examples) but I am not keen on books which are just about one family's/person's suffering with no larger context.
I read 'A Child Called It' and really wished I hadn't - I didn't learn anything from it (other than that some people are unbelievably cruel to children) and felt grubby and voyeuristic for having got entertainment out of someone else's suffering (though obviously for Dave Pelzer, writing it was a vastly important part of his recovery). I would not encourage other people to read it.

earthtomummy · 28/03/2006 12:07

I've just read Hide and Seek by Claire someone or other, about the impact on a family when their 5 yr old goes missing, as told through the eyes and experience of their 9 yo. I would recommend it, but having a 5yo, I'm already starting to feel anxious about the school trip...!

oliveoil · 28/03/2006 11:51

Why would you want to read something that made you sad?

TearsBeforeBedtime · 28/03/2006 11:51

Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves (another WW1 one)

Wild Swans (I found that quite painful in parts)

edgetop · 28/03/2006 11:49

just a boy by richard mccann.
after their mother became the first victim of the yorkshire ripper, richard & his sisters lives fell apart.
i couldnt put it down even though it was sad. im selling it on ebay, my ebay name is melesoo.

Original poster
expatinscotland · 28/03/2006 11:03

i had to read 'schindler's list' in a history class LONG before it was a film.

just thought of another one:

'The Killing Fields'

OP posts:
Nemo1977 · 28/03/2006 11:03

agree on the colour purple.

Havent read some of the others but will definetly look out for them..or I may even go and join the libraryShockWink

Nome · 28/03/2006 11:03

I never promised you a rose garden by Joanne Greenberg. A bit dated maybe, but still very powerful.

spacedonkey · 28/03/2006 11:01

If This is a Man/The Truce by Primo Levi

Patttsy · 28/03/2006 11:01

I am going to print this off and head to the library!

My suggestion: A boy called it

Px

batters · 28/03/2006 10:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 28/03/2006 10:24

FIT

Good call on Denisovich.

foundintranslation · 28/03/2006 10:18

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Brick Lane (Monica Ali). Parts of it are very hard to read.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 28/03/2006 10:15

C Because Cowards get cancer too. John Diamond

Before I say GoodBye. Ruth Picardie.

Remind me again who I am. Linda Grant