What is the saddest book you’ve ever read?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can those of you who read a lot of extremely sad books explain why? Truly curious, as I really avoid them like the plague. I don't like sacharrine romance novels, but I don't purposely pick books that I know will make me cry through the whole thing either.

I don't purposely pick them either. And it's not what people are implying on this thread. They're just naming the saddest books they've read
You shouldn't avoid books that have sadness -- you're missing some of the best fiction in literature. And, as a plus, it makes you a more empathetic human being.

I think some people are actually implying that. One person said "sometimes you just need a weeper". Some posters have multiple sad books they can post, whereas it's a bit harder for me to name multiple ones since I don't enjoy reading them. I don't avoid books that have sad parts, but I do avoid books are wholly said--tearjerkers, so to speak. Some movies are like that, too. I don't enjoy it, and there is a lot of great literature out there that isn't that way.

I've read "Of Mice and Men" and "To Kill a Mockingbird", both of which are great and sad--but are not written purely to tug at hearstrings. "My Sister's Keeper", on the other hand, is. I think it's one literary rung above a Harlequin romance. Of course, YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved Never Let Me Go, also by Kazuo Ishiguro. Very sad.

I was going to post this one, but searched and found yours.

Another vote for Never Let Me Go. It’s one of my all time favorite books, despite how sad it is. The Great Believers is excellent and sad, too.

A Little Life absolutely wrecked me. An OP described it as brutal and I agree. I had to put it down a few times because I typically read at night and I knew I wouldn’t sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can those of you who read a lot of extremely sad books explain why? Truly curious, as I really avoid them like the plague. I don't like sacharrine romance novels, but I don't purposely pick books that I know will make me cry through the whole thing either.

I don't purposely pick them either. And it's not what people are implying on this thread. They're just naming the saddest books they've read
You shouldn't avoid books that have sadness -- you're missing some of the best fiction in literature. And, as a plus, it makes you a more empathetic human being.

I think some people are actually implying that. One person said "sometimes you just need a weeper". Some posters have multiple sad books they can post, whereas it's a bit harder for me to name multiple ones since I don't enjoy reading them. I don't avoid books that have sad parts, but I do avoid books are wholly said--tearjerkers, so to speak. Some movies are like that, too. I don't enjoy it, and there is a lot of great literature out there that isn't that way.

I've read "Of Mice and Men" and "To Kill a Mockingbird", both of which are great and sad--but are not written purely to tug at hearstrings. "My Sister's Keeper", on the other hand, is. I think it's one literary rung above a Harlequin romance. Of course, YMMV.

I think for a lot of people what makes a book or a movie or whatever "good" is that it makes you feel something. It represents some aspect pg the human condition and connects you to it.

Sadness gives depth to other emotions, just watch inside out!

Sometimes im feeling down and need to connect with sadness, sometimes im feeling funny and need to connect to humor.

I'm the pp who cried for an hour after reading the outsiders. I was a teenager in a tough home situation that, despite being a wealthy white girl, connected pretty deeply to the characters because I felt like an outsider myself.

You read to connect to humanity and to feel a part of something bigger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bridge to Terabithia
Velveteen Rabbit

Wow - yeah. I hadn't considered young adult, but this is spot on.

Also - She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb.

Just finished this and it was quite sad, but I was able to identify with Delores in terms of the absentee father and how it shaded her romantic life thereafter. What's funny is the 2 blurbs on the back cover are about how it's a 'funny' book. Uh, not even close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A fine balance.

I read that years ago, and it still sticks with me. I’m not sure saddest is the word, but definitely one that made me think and stayed with me.

[Anonymous]

Paula by Isabel Allende

[Anonymous]

A Day No Pigs Would Die

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A Day No Pigs Would Die

Oh lord!!!! That traumatized me in school. Totally forgot about this one.

[Anonymous]

This is the first time I’ve read a book thread on DCUM where I’ve agreed with virtually every single title.
Fine Balance! Yes!
The Wave: shattered me.
Never Let Me Go, Sophia’s Choice, Native Son. Brutal!
Sarah’s Key. I can’t believe someone else read that.

Little Life...I must read!

[Anonymous]

I know my name is Steven
We need to talk about Kevin
Pretty much any Thomas Hardy

When breath becomes air
Columbine
Night

When I was a kid:
Watership Down
A separate peace
Lord of the Flies

[Anonymous]

Oh, and Didion’s year of magical thinking

[Anonymous]

So many. I love a good cry. But the very first book that made me sob was "Something for Joey," by Richard Peck. Then literally every book PPs list!

[Anonymous]

Before We Were Yours.

[Anonymous]

Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

[Anonymous]

Toni Morrison-Bluest Eyes