Wednesday Lists: Books with Heavy Subjects

 

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,

   When I read a book, I skip trigger warnings and reviews to give me an unbiased and fresh entry into the book. I find that knowing very little about a book adds to the enjoyment. With that being said, here are five reads that handled difficult subjects. 

• Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian- this historical fiction masterpiece documents the struggles of one family during the Armenian Genocide of the early twentieth century. Its subject matter is often heartbreaking, while the determination of the lead protagonist,  Lucine, is heartwarming and inspiring. This book touches upon genocide, sexual assault, prejudice, and famine with dignity and a fluid narrative. 

• Doctor Sleep by Stephen King-  this is the second book in the Shining series re-introducing us to Danny Torrence. Now an adult, he is hitting rock bottom as an alcoholic, and dealing with the trauma from his abusive father trying to kill him. This book deals heavily with self-doubt, self-loathing, and how one reconciles their demons in their mind. King takes us to the depths of alcoholism and domestic abuse in telling Danny's story. It may be a supernatural thriller, but the human story is very prominent. 

• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton- this classic coming-of-age story has been recommended reading in schools for decades. I read this as a teenager, and then again last year as an adult. Hinton's powerful story of prejudice, teenage angst, and domestic abuse is expertly told through the eyes of a young boy named, Ponyboy. His heartbreaking story brings us into his world, as we see first-hand what the prejudice of two classes of people can do to a town. I will always hold this book high on my list of the greatest reads of my life.

• Lost Stars by Claudia Gray- set in the Star Wars universe, this novel tells the story of two children that wish to become Imperial officers in the Galactic Empire. As they excel in the Imperial Academy they begin to fall in love and question the Emperor's rule. After the destruction of the planet of Alderaan by the Death Star, the star-crossed lovers are torn apart, as one of them joins the Rebellion against the Empire. This novel touches upon genocide, domestic abuse, and slavery with a direct approach. It talks about the difficult decisions of life and the consequences of a person's actions.

• The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty- this terrifying supernatural tale of demonic possession that has scared people since its release in 1971. Blatty touches upon religious prejudice, domestic abuse, drug abuse, and the care of the elderly. Each character has their own inner demons to fight in addition to the one plaguing young Regan. I found this to be very adept at handling hard issues. It was as if the possession of Regan was a healthy distraction from everyone's personal issues, as weird as that may sound.

   Let me know in the comments below what you are reading.

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