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Original poster

Books that disturb you?

156 replies

TheMasterNotMargarita · 16/01/2017 17:58

I don't mean books that are obviously horror genre or thriller type or misery-lit.
I just finished A Handmaid's Tales and it gave me the heebie jeebies. Everyone under the regime having their place. Not knowing who you could talk to about anything. Chilling.

I was also quite freaked out by The Midwich Cuckoos and scared myself with Rebecca. Blush

Any others had a similar effect on you?

OP posts:
PinkBuffalo · 16/01/2017 19:39

The Island of Dr Moreau by H G Wells. Even re-reading I have a growing sense of horror as I go on.
For outright horror, Salems Lot gives me sleepless nights every time.

PseudoBadger · 16/01/2017 19:36

"It's a good life" by Jerome Bixby

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 16/01/2017 19:28

We Need to Talk About Kevin. The sort of novel you need a good shower afterwards to wash yourself clean.

Gerald's Game by Stephen King. Although I know that that is obviously in the horror genre, it wasn't the out and out horror aspects of it that creeped me out but the thought of being trapped in that scenario - what would you do? Confused

Original poster
TheMasterNotMargarita · 16/01/2017 19:28

Yes, Perfume was very creepy but its one of my favourites. I really liked A Little Life too but it was just so sad.
Lots of others I haven't read that I will add to my list.

OP posts:
GinGirlAllTheWay · 16/01/2017 19:22

Cat's Cradle (Kurt Vonnegut)

Valis (Philip K Dick)

EnglebertSlaptyback · 16/01/2017 19:18

I loved Never Trust A Rabbit by Jeremy Dyson. A few of the stories in there stayed with me.

Also one I can't remember the name of. It's one of Stephen King's short stories in Everything's Eventual or From A Buick 8 about a stone in a stone circle that can only be seen through a lens and drives those who find it mad.
Really stayed with me that one.

LapsedPacifist · 16/01/2017 19:18

The Chrysalids is the first adult novel I ever read, when I was about 9. My mother was a sci-fi fan back in the 60s and encouraged me to read the book and discuss it with her, after I read the blurb on the back of her Penguin edition and started asking questions about the story. I found it both riveting and utterly disturbing - a completely mind-blowing experience for a youngster normally addicted to historical novels. My first experience of post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction!

TrustySnail · 16/01/2017 19:12

HumphreyCobblers

I agree, I was about 13 when I first read it and I must have re-read it dozens of times.

I particularly like the short story Random Quest as well.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 16/01/2017 19:10

A Little Life by Hanya Yanigihara. I found it gripping but several parts were so upsetting I had to put the book down and come back to it later.

Perfume by Patrick Suskind. Creepy and left me feeling slightly unclean.

Several books by Ian McEwan gave me the same feeling.

I loved The Bone Clocks most of the time but actually thought it got a bit silly at the end. Hoping Slade House is as good a read.

boldlygoingsomewhere · 16/01/2017 19:09

A lot of Roald Dahl's short stories for adults are really dark and disturbing.

HumphreyCobblers · 16/01/2017 19:06

I love all of Wyndham but the Chrysalids is in a class of it's own. It is one of my favourite books of all time. I think he got the emotional aspects across a bit better in that one than he managed in the others.

I often think of Michael and Rachel, and wonder if they made it to their promised land.

braceybracegirl · 16/01/2017 19:01

I mean the little stranger by Sarah Waters.

braceybracegirl · 16/01/2017 19:00

Like this thread :) the night stranger is good but that is about a ghost.

TrustySnail · 16/01/2017 18:55

The Chrysalids is good as well - another post-apocalyptic setting. In fact, I like most of Wyndham's fiction.

HumphreyCobblers · 16/01/2017 18:54

The Girl In The Swing.

We are set up to think very highly of the mysterious main character, we are in the thoughts of the man who falls in love with her yet even when he discovers her terrible crime, he can only see her as perfect. I feel complicit in condoning her actions when in reality I never would be.

Also the psychic stuff is creepy.

Original poster
TheMasterNotMargarita · 16/01/2017 18:51

I haven't read The Triffids. I keep saying I don't like sci-fi but I think I do!
I enjoyed The Midwich Cuckoos but it haunted me for a while after.
I'm going to add a few of these to my reading list and get stuck in once I put my big girl pants on 😆

OP posts:
TrustySnail · 16/01/2017 18:46

OP, if you enjoyed The Midwich Cuckoos, have you read The Triffids? The book is much more disturbing than either the film or the TV serial.

Original poster
TheMasterNotMargarita · 16/01/2017 18:40

Just Googled that @PsuedoBadger - it looks a bit mental!

OP posts:
PseudoBadger · 16/01/2017 18:19

The Bone Clocks. The last section is scarily possible.

Pippin8 · 16/01/2017 18:18

Only ever yours by Louise O'neill.

JaimeLannister · 16/01/2017 18:15

Behind Closed Doors by B.A Paris

TheLadyDoor · 16/01/2017 18:15

The Road is my favourite book but, dear God, it's breaks my heart.

cherrycrumblecustard · 16/01/2017 18:14

Wasp factory
A book by pat barker about prostitutes - one gets murdered, awful bit.

YakiUdonYumYum · 16/01/2017 18:13

Oh yes, The Road is well written and very good. But the story is gruelling and I found it kind of upsetting.

mrsBeverleygoldberg · 16/01/2017 18:12

I found the procreating where the wife digs her nails into the handmaid's hands really upsetting. The poor handmaiden being raped by one and hated by the other.
1984. Bleak future, thought control the rats. Interspersed with the tender love between Winston and the girl. I read it when I was 16 and never again.
The Colour Purple. Again a school book. I can't even remember what it is I was upset by, but could never read it again.