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Original poster

I can't believe I've been so disturbed by a book!

63 replies

nkf · 26/04/2009 13:59

I recently read One Half of a Yellow Sun and it has distressed me beyond belief. I wept buckets and was upset for days. An overreaction? I need to get certain image out of my head but I can't.

Sorry. This is a bit of a mad post but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of where to "park" horrible thoughts.

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 28/04/2009 11:47

tilly, yes, it's supposed to be light hearted but I couldn't get past the sadness of that little boy's life! It blighted the lightheartedness of it for me.

TeriHatchetJob · 28/04/2009 10:16

Open a little box in your mind - put the sad thought in it, fold up the box and shift it over until it falls off the table and into the ether.

Mad, but works for some.

tillyfernackerpants · 28/04/2009 10:14

The Kite Runner upset me as well, haven't read the others though.

Thumbwitch, isn't the Nanny Diaries supposed to be a frothy read as well?! But if its the one I've read, then yes I did feel sorry for the little boy as well.

thumbwitch · 27/04/2009 22:25

books can do this - I don't know how to cope with it tbh, I just make sure I never read those again. but I do try and remove the sting by reading something fairly mindless to try and replace the sad/disturbed thoughts

Books that have upset me for ages:
the Kite Runner
the Sett by Ranulph Fiennes - I still have trouble working out how much of this book is true, especially as he includes the main character as one of the people he thanks - if it's true then that makes it 100 times worse.
Sold - about an Englsh Pakistani girl who was sent to Pakistan for an arranged marriage, with her sister, and her bid to escape
the Nanny Diaries - I couldn't shake the sadness I felt for the little boy in this book - perhaps shouldn't have read it while pg!

Haven't read the book you mention and don't now intend to!

Original poster
nkf · 27/04/2009 22:16

Thank you for your kind words. It's also helpful to know it's not just me who's had a reaction like this. I honestly felt I was losing the plot for a while. No pun intended.

OP posts:
KateF · 27/04/2009 22:08

It is a difficult and disturbing book. I found it hard to deal with too. Second the suggestion of reading something light for a bit. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
nkf · 27/04/2009 22:05

I must find something frothy. You are right. One has to manage these moods.

OP posts:
yappybluedog · 27/04/2009 21:32

I had this woth American Pyscho, which I read against my better judgement in my 20's

tillyfernackerpants · 27/04/2009 19:24

nkf, I think I know the image you mean & yes it was particularly disturbing. I did love it though, I learnt so much about the Biafra war, I hadn't heard of it before this, and I thought it was excellently written.

But back to your original question, I usually follow a book like that with a light, funny read & that helps a little.

Original poster
nkf · 26/04/2009 15:33

Thank you Blueshoes and MrsMattie. Maybe I just read it at a bad time.

OP posts:
MrsMattie · 26/04/2009 14:16

I loved this book. It did have some disturbing content, but then, don't all the books that really affect you and that you end up really loving?

blueshoes · 26/04/2009 14:12

I have not read

blueshoes · 26/04/2009 14:12

Sorry to hear of your distressing read, nkf. I have read that book but I know what you mean about carrying images around in your head.

I don't have any solution - many of these images follow me. I try not to read books with disturbing content. A cop out, I know. But with young children, I have become more sensitive to others' suffering and can cope with less.

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