Basically what the title says: Is there any fiction book you’ve ever read that has emotionally or intellectually connected with you so much it changed the way you viewed the world, changed the way you viewed yourself or changed the way you viewed life (your own or in general)?
If so…
- What book was it?
- Why did it connect so well with you?
- How did it make you feel?
- And how did it change you?
Just to emphasize, I’m solely asking about works of fiction here. So nothing like reading just an academic book on philosophy or a self-help book or something.
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin
This is cheating because it’s a short story, but I read it in a time of political turmoil in my country (Philippines). Would I want to support the current government even though I know that people are being killed (extra-judicial killings) in the pretense of keeping the streets safe? Would I be ok living with people who are religious and seemingly upstanding, but supports a murderous regime? This is the story that radicalized me.