Why make yourself scared?

[RWL]

Why do you think people are compelled to read disturbing books?

[Leanne]

A dark story often gives you more food for thought than a happy, fluffy one. I'm thinking now of the popularity of dystopian fiction like the Divergent series, the Hunger Games, and The Giver. Just watched the movie Divergent last night, by the way. Loved it. Has anyone read the books? I guess for me, it was another example of how I like to see courageous heroes and heroines fight against evil and win---or at least live to keep on fighting. In a way, I think it helps me face the (much smaller) struggles in my own life with greater courage, because I think to myself, if they can face THAT, then surely I can face THIS!

[Christine]

I can't read anything disturbing and I've discovered I don't like scary any more either. I read the Evergreen title, An Inquiry into Love and Death which I didn't realize when I started was mostly a ghost story. I found myself jumping and looking over my shoulder for days afterward. And I realized that I'm quite impressionable when it comes to what I read and watch, which is probably why I prefer Jane Austen! After reading the movie review of Gone Girl, I don't think it's a book I can read either.

One reason I think people enjoy reading scary stories is because it's an adrenaline rush, like riding a roller coaster. They keep you on the edge of your seat, white knuckled and holding your breath until it's over.

[Jennifer]

I agree with the above; it's a combination of food for thought and/or adrenaline rush.
I've never avoided sad, heartbreaking or unhappy ending books but I did (& sometimes still do) avoid horror and many thrillers. I remember reading Intensity by Dean Koontz when I was 20 and it almost was too intense. Lately I've ventured into horror or darker books but it started off as a challenge to myself since I had an irrational fear of zombies (long before they were a trend). I read some short stories by Claude Lalumiere and many were disturbing but the zombie ones were just hilarious (though still gross) which helped me open up my mind.

[YZ]

Christine wrote: "I can't read anything disturbing and I've discovered I don't like scary any more either. I read the Evergreen title, An Inquiry into Love and Death which I didn't realize when I started was mostly ..."

I've never been able to (or wanted to) see scary movies and some books are just off limits, eg. where children are murdered. After reading "Gone girl" I carried it around emotionally. Then in some dark compulsion, I read Gillian Flynn's other books. "Dark places" and "Sharp objects" are not for the faint of heart. Not sure what I was thinking...

[Becca]

RWL wrote: "Why do you think people are compelled to read disturbing books?"

The Divergent books are amazing - I think I liked them better than The Hunger Games, which is saying a lot, because I loved The Hunger Games. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending of the trilogy was somewhat unexpected - which was refreshing.

[Becca]

I used to love reading scary books. When I was really young (tween - teen) I'm pretty sure I had read everything Stephen King had written up to that point in time. I loved anything that had a horror bent. Some things disturbed me immensely but as Leanne said it provided interesting possibilities to consider and think about.

The funny thing, is the older I've gotten, the less I've been able to stomach that kind of literature. For a long time, I couldn't figure out why I couldn't handle violent horror or murder thrillers anymore. Lately, I've begun to wonder if all of the scary things going on in the world right now are a contributing factor. I read to escape the world. However, it hardly is an escapist past-time to read, if there is a bizarre brutal murder on the news, and then I pick up a book to read something similar.

On the other hand, my interest in dystopian fiction has greatly picked up. So, apparently I don't mind being disturbed in some ways - as long as it isn't brutally violent or too realistic.

[Christine]

That's an excellent point, Becca! My situation is similar. I remember reading all the VC Andrews books as a teen, but the thought of my daughter reading them sickens me, and probably because as you say, I'm much more aware that they're not so far from reality as I thought growing up.

I haven't read the Hunger Games or Divergent but liked the movies, especially Divergent. It takes me back to reading 1984 in high school.

[Leanne]

Becca wrote: "The Divergent books are amazing - I think I liked them better than The Hunger Games, which is saying a lot, because I l..."

Oh good! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of them. Still working my way through the first one. Like I said before, I loved the movie, but I appreciate how the book gives some richer detail (as only a book can do).