Novels and Emotional reaction - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

thesupermikey · 11-10-2004, 11:22 PM

There is a thread going on this board about movies that evoked an emotional reaction. So in a similar line of thought, are there any novels that move you on a deep emotional level every time you read them?

For Me it has to be ‘Less than Zero’ by Brett Eston Ellis. I read this book front to back in about 7 hours one afternoon. Nothing I have every read has made he as physically ill as this book. It is a great look at the culture of 1980s southern California. This makes 90210 or Melrose Place look like Green Acers

jaded · 11-11-2004, 12:27 AM

edith wharton\'s \"house of mirth\". the ending gets me every time i read it. i can remember every single word: \"He kelt by the bed and bent over her, draining their last moment to its lees; and in the silence there passed between them the word which made all clear.\"

michael cunningham\'s \"the hours\". it truly deserves the pulitzer prize. in the end when the day is over, where everything ties together and the true meaning of the title touched, i completely surrender.

maleficent · 11-11-2004, 04:20 PM

The Power of One, Bryce Courtnay.
Memoir of an English boy in South Africa - the movie sucked compared to the book

Black and Blue, Anna Quindlen, spousal abuse at it's worst... Really disturbing book.

Grancey · 11-11-2004, 04:38 PM

When I read "Ulysses" I thought I was escaping and running into myself.

JumpinJesus · 11-11-2004, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grancey

When I read "Ulysses" I thought I was escaping and running into myself.

I immediately admire you for reading it. I've owned it for 12 years, started it 5 times, and have yet to make it past the 5th page. Now, the Odyssey I've read twice and love it.

Anyways, a book that always sparks emotion in me is "A Happy Death" by Albert Camus.

tellumFS · 11-14-2004, 01:05 AM

I think the last novel to get a very strong emotional reaction from me (besides "That was great!" or "That was a horrible book!") was "Where the Red Fern Grows". I read it in 5th grade, and even though I could guess the ending, it was pretty sad.

Now history....that's a different matter...

CinnamonGirl · 11-14-2004, 02:44 PM

crack and I were just talking about Where the Red Fern Grows. The first time I read it, I cried for about two hours (well, hey, I was in 4th grade

) Bridge to Terebithia (5th grade, I think) also made me cry...I haven't read either of those in quite some time, so I couldn't really tell you if they'd STILL make me cry...but...um...probably

Let's see, more recent books...ummmm... Wuthering Heights ALWAYS gets me crying... Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight doesn't evoke tears, but always puts me in this "wow, my life is absolutely fantastic, I should be more grateful" mood for a few days.

Oh, and The Last Days of Summer...I've read it at least 50 times, and everytime I pick it up again, it makes me laugh...and then cry.

11-10-2004, 11:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
thesupermikey I got blisters on me fingers!!! Location: In my stressless expectation free zone.	Novels and Emotional reaction There is a thread going on this board about movies that evoked an emotional reaction. So in a similar line of thought, are there any novels that move you on a deep emotional level every time you read them? For Me it has to be ‘Less than Zero’ by Brett Eston Ellis. I read this book front to back in about 7 hours one afternoon. Nothing I have every read has made he as physically ill as this book. It is a great look at the culture of 1980s southern California. This makes 90210 or Melrose Place look like Green Acers __________________ If you are not outraged than you are not paying attention! "Reality has a well-known liberal bias" - Steven Colbert

11-11-2004, 04:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	The Power of One, Bryce Courtnay. Memoir of an English boy in South Africa - the movie sucked compared to the book Black and Blue, Anna Quindlen, spousal abuse at it's worst... Really disturbing book. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

11-11-2004, 04:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Grancey Life's short, gotta hurry... Location: land of pit vipers	When I read "Ulysses" I thought I was escaping and running into myself. __________________ Quiet, mild-mannered souls might just turn out to be roaring lions of two-fisted cool.

11-14-2004, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
CinnamonGirl She's Actual Size Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell	crack and I were just talking about Where the Red Fern Grows. The first time I read it, I cried for about two hours (well, hey, I was in 4th grade ) Bridge to Terebithia (5th grade, I think) also made me cry...I haven't read either of those in quite some time, so I couldn't really tell you if they'd STILL make me cry...but...um...probably Let's see, more recent books...ummmm... Wuthering Heights ALWAYS gets me crying... Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight doesn't evoke tears, but always puts me in this "wow, my life is absolutely fantastic, I should be more grateful" mood for a few days. Oh, and The Last Days of Summer...I've read it at least 50 times, and everytime I pick it up again, it makes me laugh...and then cry. __________________ "...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world." "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

11-11-2004, 12:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
jaded Crazy	edith wharton\'s \"house of mirth\". the ending gets me every time i read it. i can remember every single word: \"He kelt by the bed and bent over her, draining their last moment to its lees; and in the silence there passed between them the word which made all clear.\" michael cunningham\'s \"the hours\". it truly deserves the pulitzer prize. in the end when the day is over, where everything ties together and the true meaning of the title touched, i completely surrender.

11-14-2004, 01:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
tellumFS Tilted	I think the last novel to get a very strong emotional reaction from me (besides "That was great!" or "That was a horrible book!") was "Where the Red Fern Grows". I read it in 5th grade, and even though I could guess the ending, it was pretty sad. Now history....that's a different matter...