Books that are difficult to finish due to subject matter?

[Shannon]

What is a story or novel that was a challenge or difficult to get through due to graphic or explicit subject matter, but once you finished it, you enjoyed the story? The first book that comes to mind for me is The Girl Next Door. Especially as a female reader, I had to take little breaks during certain parts of the story, but I was glad I made it to the end. Looking for some other suggestions to push my limits!

[Jeff]

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. I love everything about horror as a genre, and I really liked this, but there were several "WTF" moments. A group of really depraved people. I also agree with The Girl Next Door.

[Shannon]

Jeff, that is funny that you mentioned Haunted because I almost included that in my original post due to the first story in the collection, Guts! That one is particularly graphic and made me feel a bit nauseous.

Another book (not in the horror genre) that reminds me of something Chuck Palahniuk would write, is Chad Kultgen's The Lie. This book is funny if you have a really twisted sense of humor, but is also disgusting, mostly because the scenarios are, unfortunately, plausible.

[Ken B]

Fantastic! Another thread that will be expanding my TBR list!

[Jeff]

Shannon, I actually have Choke (by Chuck P.) on my dresser to start soon. I will follow that with Guts, and I will check out The Lie. Thanks. A good laugh is always needed.

[Shannon]

Jeff, I've read several by Chuck and two of my favorites are Rant and Survivor, though they aren't in the horror genre, either.

[Jeff]

Added. Thanks, Shannon.

[Larry]

I have had Survivor for a while now. I am afraid to finish it because of a part that i know is coming up. I have never had this happen to me with any other book before

[Jeff]

Sounds like a promising book for my TBR shelf. Thanks.

[Marisa]

I've only read fight club and lullaby by chuck palahnuik so far. Sounds like I've been reading the wrong ones!

[Mav]

Chuck's "Haunted" was the one I couldn't finish. Survivor is great, along with Invisible Monsters.

[Marisa]

Looks like I'll be heading to Bookmans today!

[Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books)]

Shannon wrote: "What is a story or novel that was a challenge or difficult to get through due to graphic or explicit subject matter, but once you finished it, you enjoyed the story? The first book that comes to m..."

The Girl Next Door still haunts me and it's been years since I read it. Another that really got under my skin was a book called Children of No One by Nicole Cushing

[BK]

I can't finish "Haunted", but it's because the characters always end up getting too annoying for me, lol. I have tried three times, and midway I have to stop. It's starts off so strong, too, it's a shame.

The Guts story actually made me laugh hard in disgust; I thought, "Gross! Well done!" and moved on. I have watched and read some horrible, horrible things, though. >.>

The only book I can think of off the top of my head that I had to take a break from for reason of it being too much isn't even horror, it's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". Any one who has read it or even seen the movies (American or original Swedish) knows what part I'm talking about. That part... Eesh.

[Shannon]

Thanks, Kristin, I've added it to my list!

BK, parts of that novel were definitely difficult for me to read. I still need to finish the last in the trilogy.

[Mav]

I agree, The Girl Next Door was an excellent & very disturbing read. Like little "Lord of the Flies" psychopaths.

[Jennicem]

I would have to say The End of Alice by A.M. Homes. Don't get me wrong, I finished it and it was excellent, but it was disturbing and creeps back into my head when I least want it to. Not exactly horror, but certainly horrific.

[Perry]

The book that comes to mind for me is a non-fiction work, The Complete Jack the Ripper by Donald Rumbelow. This book is detailed in places any non-psychopathic reader will not be comfortable experiencing. And it's accompanied with stomach-churning photographs. However, I recently re-read it and used some of this research in my book, Brides of Dracula. Rumbelow wrote a compelling fascinating investigation about history's most infamous murderer. I recommend it, but I warn you it is not for the faint of heart.

[Justin]

I've only read one book that could be considered extreme and explicit, Rakasha: Legend of the Hindi Tiger Demon. I had never read such a graphic book before and I haven't since. I had no issue with the content of the book, I mean it didn't stop me from reading it and if it did it would only have been because it was too sick or too much for me to take, but I managed to read it after getting over the gruesome parts.

[Erin]

Shannon wrote: "What is a story or novel that was a challenge or difficult to get through due to graphic or explicit subject matter, but once you finished it, you enjoyed the story? The first book that comes to m..."

I have seen a lot of comments about this book and I am curious to try it but I don't know if the subject matter is going to make it tough for me to get through it. I'll put it on TBR list, though.

[Patrick]

The Damnation Game and The Thief of Always, both for scenes of animal death (which is my biggest mood-killer reading/watching anything). I still finished the books, though. And they were good. I think knowing Barker is a great lover of animals in real life was a big help in that regard.

[Kate]

Josh wrote: "http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M0DUI8Y

Frank Flutie is a lexicographer who has waged war on the "perils of adultolescence" by leaving a high-paying job as a copywriter for an advertising company call..."

Reported for spamming.

[Kat]

I was trying to think of a book that had the aforementioned effect on me, but I'm sorry to say that my long love affair with the Splatterpunk genre rather dulled my sensitivities.

That being said, as I recall, "Rawhead Rex" had my mind genuinely gripped with revulsion and stomach-churning discomfort.

To the readers that referenced "The Girl Next Door," I agree wholeheartedly that based on content and my stance as a female reader, I found parts quite difficult to stomach.