Novels for Everything Wrong with Us
The legendary author, poet and alcoholic Charles Bukowski once said, “Without literature, life is hell.” Sure, he was likely drunk and didn’t remember saying it, but that doesn’t make the quote any less profound.
Great works of fiction entertain, inspire, educate and heal. They have the power to transform not only the individual reader but also entire societies – or at least they did back when entire societies used to read.
I have personally experienced the transformative power of books. To Kill a Mockingbird taught me not to be so quick to judge others. Animal Farm showed me how power corrupts. And Fight Club made me realize just how important it is I stay on my meds.
Call me an idealist, but I think fiction can pave the way to human salvation. I think it can alleviate if not eliminate most of the psychosocial and emotional issues holding us back and making us miserable. Now you may be asking, “Why not encourage people to read non-fiction to fix what ails us? Why not urge everyone to pick up a self-help book to bring about global enlightenment?” I’ll tell you why not: Because I don’t write books like that. And also because nobody wants to be seen reading something with a title like, So, You’re a Bigot or The Idiot’s Guide to Being Better.
Below I’ve made a list of all the things that are probably wrong with you as a human, each followed by several novels that can set you right. Read the books you feel most apply to you (just read all of them, to be safe), and report back to me in a year or so to discuss how much better a person you’ve become as a result.
If you are DEPRESSED, read:
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
If you are ANXIOUS, read:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
If you are RACIST, read:
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
If you are HOMOPHOBIC, read:
A Boy’s Own Story by Edmund White
Far from You by Tess Sharpe
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
If you are ISLAMOPHOBIC, read:
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf
Native Believer by Ali Eteraz
If you are MISOGYNISTIC, read:
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
If you are COMPLACENT/APATHETIC, read:
1984 by George Orwell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Orxy and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Neuromancer by William Gibson
If you are just plain MEAN, read:
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
If you HAVEN'T READ MY NOVELS (this is a global problem), read:
Now, I realize some of you may disagree with – or be puzzled by – a few of my book choices. If so, you’re welcome to express your thoughts/opinions in the comment section below. Just be aware I’m welcome to delete said thoughts/opinions if they are totally valid and make me question my competence and self-proclaimed literary expertise.
What books would you like to add? What CATEGORIES? What makes me think anybody stuck around long enough to even read these questions?
