What Is The Most Emotional Book You've Read?
Discussion
Just finished reading Tuesdays With Morrie and I had to really battle to stop blubbing like a 10 year old girl! It didn't help that I finished reading it on a packed train no less. Still, just about managed to fight back the tears 
So what book or books have you read that got you all emotional?
So what book or books have you read that got you all emotional?
I read Tuesdays With Morrie last year, my grandfather died of MND/ALS a few years ago, I knew it would be tough to read but I figured since it was a few years since his death I'd be okay.
Wasn't entirely prepared for how emotionally drained I felt afterwards, finished it at work so like you I couldn't cry, which possibly made things worse. It's very well written, and some parts of it really struck a chord.
I managed to get through 2 chapters of "PS. I Love You" before I had to give up because I was crying so much (before anyone raises a disapproving eyebrow, I am of the female gender), and no matter how many times I re-read it there are bits of Louisa May Alcott's "Good Wives" that get a bit of dust in my eye.
Wasn't entirely prepared for how emotionally drained I felt afterwards, finished it at work so like you I couldn't cry, which possibly made things worse. It's very well written, and some parts of it really struck a chord.
I managed to get through 2 chapters of "PS. I Love You" before I had to give up because I was crying so much (before anyone raises a disapproving eyebrow, I am of the female gender), and no matter how many times I re-read it there are bits of Louisa May Alcott's "Good Wives" that get a bit of dust in my eye.
MentalSarcasm said:
I read Tuesdays With Morrie last year, my grandfather died of MND/ALS a few years ago, I knew it would be tough to read but I figured since it was a few years since his death I'd be okay.
Wasn't entirely prepared for how emotionally drained I felt afterwards, finished it at work so like you I couldn't cry, which possibly made things worse. It's very well written, and some parts of it really struck a chord.
I managed to get through 2 chapters of "PS. I Love You" before I had to give up because I was crying so much (before anyone raises a disapproving eyebrow, I am of the female gender), and no matter how many times I re-read it there are bits of Louisa May Alcott's "Good Wives" that get a bit of dust in my eye.
I too wasn't prepared to be nearly reduced to tears by reading a book. I haven't felt that emotional in years! I couldn't relate to it in anyway like yourself but it still made an impact. It is indeed very well written. He's written a number of other books which I plan to seek out.Wasn't entirely prepared for how emotionally drained I felt afterwards, finished it at work so like you I couldn't cry, which possibly made things worse. It's very well written, and some parts of it really struck a chord.
I managed to get through 2 chapters of "PS. I Love You" before I had to give up because I was crying so much (before anyone raises a disapproving eyebrow, I am of the female gender), and no matter how many times I re-read it there are bits of Louisa May Alcott's "Good Wives" that get a bit of dust in my eye.
MrMagoo said:
I've never read it but have heard nothing but good things about it. Shall put it on my 'to read list'
I found it heavy going personally, so consider that one 'not good' thing about it 
Many of the concepts are very relevant today (brain deadening TV for the masses, in particular), but I found the style really hard work.
Also, don't ruin it for others, but I can't actually remember how it ended! I seem to recall the film had a 'happy ending' (but not in a Thai brothel sense...).
M
Edited by marcosgt on Friday 27th September 09:45
Probably The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. It is a short book dictated by a man who had locked-in syndrome from a stroke and could only move one eyelid. It is a vivid description of what it is like. Quite short.
In fiction,oddly enough,it is from my early youth,The Great Gatsby. Despite the awful films,the little book does give a very sad description of a lonely and failed life.
In fiction,oddly enough,it is from my early youth,The Great Gatsby. Despite the awful films,the little book does give a very sad description of a lonely and failed life.
Probably The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. It is a short book dictated by a man who had locked-in syndrome from a stroke and could only move one eyelid. It is a vivid description of what it is like. Quite short.
In fiction,oddly enough,it is from my early youth,The Great Gatsby. Despite the awful films,the little book does give a very sad description of a lonely and failed life.
In fiction,oddly enough,it is from my early youth,The Great Gatsby. Despite the awful films,the little book does give a very sad description of a lonely and failed life.
If This Is A Man - Primo Levi. His first book, written in his spare time post-war by a professional man, a chemist, as away to come to terms with his experience of Auschwitz. The profound humanity articulated is humbling, the prose (and translation) a thing of beauty in its unforced economy and clarity. The overall effect is very, very powerful.
His later The Periodic Table, a short collection of short stories of oblique autobigraphy is simply wonderful.
His later The Periodic Table, a short collection of short stories of oblique autobigraphy is simply wonderful.
(oops, I meant 'professional man' as in the sense of - a bloke with a profession. Levi was not by training a writer or actually happy being defined as an author; he remained an industrial chemist until retirement. To write was his outlet, both an expiation and a hobby; but the published result is also very special IMO.)
MrMagoo said:
I too wasn't prepared to be nearly reduced to tears by reading a book. I haven't felt that emotional in years! I couldn't relate to it in anyway like yourself but it still made an impact. It is indeed very well written. He's written a number of other books which I plan to seek out.
Before reading 'Morrie' I read "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" which is by the same writer, it was also a good read (and a very interesting concept) but again there were points that made me have a bit of a sniffle. 
MentalSarcasm said:
MrMagoo said:
I too wasn't prepared to be nearly reduced to tears by reading a book. I haven't felt that emotional in years! I couldn't relate to it in anyway like yourself but it still made an impact. It is indeed very well written. He's written a number of other books which I plan to seek out.
Before reading 'Morrie' I read "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" which is by the same writer, it was also a good read (and a very interesting concept) but again there were points that made me have a bit of a sniffle.
Also read both of these, Tuesdays with Morrie was OK. Five people I thought was awful. Really bad.
May have borrowed Ps I love u from the missus and also my sisters keeper. Both had there moments!
I also found "the Cider House Rules" very powerful.
Rumple said:
Am I the only one that's going to say Watership Down.
I would go along with that. Perhaps 'Touching The Void' by Joe Simpson could be considered as the emotions in the book were very powerful, through my eyes anyway.The Mrs says a book called 'Brothers'. But then she's a girl and cries at weird things. That, or 'The Unusual Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry'.
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