Because I have small children (and thereby generate plenty of anxiety and maudlin What-Ifs using my natural-born imagination), I have strict criteria for sad books. Usually, if a writer wants me to follow her into the depths of despair, she must lure me with one of two shiny objects: exquisite writing (i.e. Elizabeth Strout) or extreme hilarity (say, Anna Maxted).
I just finished Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes, one of the most consistently funny writers I've ever read. She's so funny, as a matter of fact, that I followed her through a tale about the viciousness of alcoholism and drug addiction and clutched my sides with laughter all the way, going so far as to repeat bits aloud to myself in an empty room. Rachel is a young woman on the brink--addicted to cocaine and other controlled substances. When she accidentally overdoses and almost ends her life, her family and friends intervene and commit her to a rehab center where she meets a cast of memorable addicts. Rachel watches as the fellow "inmates" twist away from personal responsibility, lie to each other and themselves, and grieve their broken, blank lives. She flinches as they rage against nature and God, flail in physical, psychological, and emotional pain, and finally face the truth about themselves. She is shocked by the scandalous tales their families tell of selfishness and abuse and stunned by their eventual transformations and recoveries. However, her greatest surprise comes when she finally gains the courage to take inventory of her own heart. Super funny, super poignant.
My favorite funny-sad writers are Marian Keyes and Anna Maxted. What about you? Do books with sad and/or disturbing themes mess with your mind? What makes a sad book "worth it?"
13 comments:
Marian Keyes is one of my favourite funny by sad writers. Her ability to be funny and poignant whilst writing about very serious subjects is amazing.
I also really like Jill Mansell, who probably isn't quite as dark as Keyes, but is very funny.
I dont know if I have an author in mind but I have to say I like the fact that this one made you laugh and clutch your sides. I do like a book that can make me laugh :)
I am going to look for this one - thanks :D
Marian Keyes is one of my absolute favourite authors. I love how she deals with tough topics and makes you laugh without taking the issues lightly. I still need to read Rachel's Holiday, though - it's been on my to-read list for forever!
I can do sad if there is a greater purpose for the sad, a la A Thousand Splendid Suns. That is one of my favorite books of all time, despite the how sad it is, because in the end it lifts up some important truths about being human. What I can't stand is feeling manipulated into being sad just for the sake of sad. I can't think of a specific book off the top of my head, but that's how I feel about the show Extreme Home Makeover, and it makes me want to punch Ty Pennington, who I LOVED on Trading Spaces, in the face a little bit!
Heather--that's exactly how I felt about Kite Runner by the same author. Devastating, but redemptive and worth it. Anita Shreve, for example, drags me through the mud and for what? I always feel dingy and sad and--this is the kicker--a teensy bit bored. I don't feel this way about all of her books. I liked Sea Glass and The Pilot's Wife, but some of her others are egregiously sad to me.
Sad books don't really bother me much. Badly written ones? Those depress the heck out of me, lol.
I have read Keyes, This Charming Man and remember liking it.
Sounds like a wonderful book. I don't read sad stories, in general, but ones that make you laugh with the tears are more my style.
I completely understand what you mean. I have had to put several books aside, or completely avoid them because I just do not need more stress/anxiety/depression in my life. I have a really hard time with graphic violence or anything involving kids and tragedy (like I need to worry about the kiddos more!?) Yet there are some books which are sad or tragic, but worth reading. I just read SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson in about 1 day because it was excellent and yes, often funny, even while dealing with such a harsh topic. However, it took me a couple of years since I first heard about it to get up my nerves. THE BOOK THIEF also comes to mind, though I read it almost immediately after learning about it. And I am so glad i did; I now recommend it to everyone. I agree about the KITE RUNNER too, though I have had 1000 SPLENDID SUNS on the TBR for awhile. I have to prepare myself I guess :)
I LOVE Marian Keyes. The second youngest sister that had amnesia...I think it was called 'Do You Remember Me?' KILLED ME! I cried like a baby. Jodi Picoult usually makes me cry too...and Elizabeth Berg. I generally read a few books at a time & if there's a sad book in there I make sure to have a funny one too, you know, to balance it all out!
I've read one of Marian Keyes' books a long time ago. I agree - very funny lady. Now I want this one too!
I can understand about sad books. They are hard to read. But I agree with your requirements- either the writing is phenomenal or the author breaks up the melancholy with some comedy.
I haven't tried this author, but I know that if you say it is worthy, I believe it will be for me also.
Susan Jane Giman is terrifically funny. As for further humorous sides of addiction, Augusten Burroughs walked that line well in "Dry."
I thought this was a great read but that Keyes is over-looked as a chick-lit writer, which I don't think she is
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