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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Are there any good novels or films out there about emotional abuse in romantic relationships?

35 replies

Apacha · 19/01/2024 00:56

I have googled novels about emotional abuse in romantic relationships, but I wasn't sure what's good.

For films, wondering if anyone knows of any. I have seen 'Sleeping with the Enemy' with Julia Roberts, which depicts a certain kind of control (he gets angry at how she arranges the towels). But there are other kinds of controlling relationships too.

I once saw a drama called 'I am Nicola' on Channel 4, which was good on the manipulation element of a controlling relationship.

Was wondering if there's anything else out there?

OP posts:
barkymcbark · 19/01/2024 10:51

Angela Black

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 19/01/2024 10:53

There's a book called behind closed doors, that might fit the bill.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 19/01/2024 11:10

shepherdsangeldelight · 19/01/2024 07:40

Marian Keyes "Last chance saloon" features an emotionally abusive relationship (but it's not the main storyline of the book).

Also by MK, This Charming Man is good but very frustrating as he doesn't get his comeuppance in the end.

AnnieRegent · 19/01/2024 18:47

Just linking this cartoon here for the Anne Bronte fans in this thread, mostly so I can lol at it again myself
http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=202
@Dery @Talipesmum

Hark, a vagrant: 202

http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=202

Urcheon · 19/01/2024 19:23

AnnieRegent · 19/01/2024 18:47

Just linking this cartoon here for the Anne Bronte fans in this thread, mostly so I can lol at it again myself
http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=202
@Dery @Talipesmum

That is wonderful, and I am going to share it with one of my dissertation students who is writing on marriage in the Brontë novels.

Talipesmum · 19/01/2024 19:37

AnnieRegent · 19/01/2024 18:47

Just linking this cartoon here for the Anne Bronte fans in this thread, mostly so I can lol at it again myself
http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=202
@Dery @Talipesmum

I love hark a vagrant - her cartoons are wonderful and all the way through reading Tenant I was thinking of this exact cartoon. She’s so spot on and so unusual!

Seaoftroubles · 19/01/2024 19:39

Big Little Lies a book by Liane Moriarty, also a TV drama series.

CousinGreg55 · 19/01/2024 19:42

Life after Life book by Kate Atkinson and TV adaptation. A small but chilling section is about an abusive marriage

berrypop · 19/01/2024 19:43

Tell Me Lies is a book (and has been made into a TV series, available on Disney+) about an emotionally abusive relationship and includes manipulation and gaslighting

Apacha · 20/01/2024 00:54

Many thanks everyone for the recommendations. I have downloaded the Anne Brontë book on my kindle and I'm going to look up your other recommendations too.

I found that 'i am Nicola' drama on channel 4 very powerful - as mentioned in my OP.

OP posts:
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