What is the saddest book you’ve ever read?

[Anonymous]

At least The Book Thief had some instances of real happiness at the end.

[Anonymous]

And Bastard out of Carolina and Prince of Tides. Angela's Ashes, too.

[Anonymous]

The Outsiders. First read it in 7th grade and then again last year for a book club.

[Anonymous]

Surprised that no one mentioned yet “And the Band Played On.” The book chronicles in detail the emergence of AIDS epidemic and response, or lack thereof.

[Anonymous]

The Lovely Bones

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bastard out of Carolina by June Allyson

or

The Book Of Lost Things by John Connolly

I agree about Bastard out of Carolina (by Dorothy Allison). Parts of that book made me so upset/angry I had to put it down for a few days.

Also, Sophie’s Choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Little Life

I am reading this now but I can only take it in small doses before I start sobbing. There have been several awkward moments on the metro...

Also Home by Marilynn’s Robinson

And of course The Hours

[Anonymous]

Death Be Not Proud

I pulled it out of my dad’s bookcase in my early teens and it stayed with me.

[Anonymous]

Oliver Twist

[Anonymous]

+1 for Atonement.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Death Be Not Proud

I pulled it out of my dad’s bookcase in my early teens and it stayed with me.

OMG - I totally remember this. Still with me today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where The Red Fern Grows

I opened this thread just to see if someone already posted this. I was only 10 or 11 but I think it was the first book that made me cry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Bright Hour

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where The Red Fern Grows

I opened this thread just to see if someone already posted this. I was only 10 or 11 but I think it was the first book that made me cry

My son read that in his 5th grade class as an assigned book. He said everyone including the teacher was sobbing at the end. After finishing the book he begged me everyday for five months to let him get a dog. He sometimes would tear up and explain that book made him see that every boy needed a dog. We finally got him a beagle. It really was true - he needs that dog. They are great together.

[Anonymous]

When I was a child, I first remember crying after reading Old Yeller (did not want to read Where the Red Fern Grows after reading Old Yeller).

Then Charlotte's Web. I wept!

Then Bridge to Terabithia.

Then a Separate Peace, as I entered high school.

As a mother, The Velveteen Rabbit, Small One, and some Winnie the Pooh books make me weep. The Bright Hour memoir was very emotional.


Haven't read The Lovely Bones, Atonement or Sophie's Choice, but I have seen the movies and I agree, they are heartbreaking.