I was going to get the book, A Little Life, after a lot of people recommended it to me. My favorite genre of books are dark fiction and non-fiction books that go into the psychological plagues trauma brings upon a persons mind. I read them too to examine how an author dissects a traumatic event or events and brings the characters into those situations and how the characters progress. What always shocks me is seeing how other people react to these books. I suffered severe childhood trauma in various different ways. So reading these books is sometimes comforting, sometimes I read them with the intent to relate to a character, in the thoughts of the character towards an event that others might not have thought one would even experience. But watching some peoples reactions to books like A Little Life, and becoming nauseous or being in disbelief, I find it shocking. What are the experiences of people who read books who did not read it with intent to relate to the character. Why did you pick the book up? Im interested to see the other side of the coin. Does the emotional experiences of the characters resonate with you? Do you see any parallels within your our own life and the characters?

  • swirlypepper@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    Sometimes I have a lot of empathy but if I’m struggling with low mood myself I don’t feel I’ve improved myself by putting myself in the shoes of others who are struggling. Like Beekeeper of Aleppo - really harrowing and what did I learn? That immigrants are deserving of support? I thought that anyway! I’m not saying these books are never worth reading - novels set in wars give a feel of what the country is like from a local’s POV, books about predators gives me an idea of how insidious the grooming or love bombing process can be, books about assault can be eye opening in terms of getting legal justice afterwards.

    I work in a job where I see child abuse or domestic violence or human trafficking come through on occasion. When I’m in a good state of mind I can go home and feel chilled and think “that person was awful.” When I’ve been in a bad state of mind I’ve ended up thinking “the world is awful,” and got fearful doing very normal things like walking to the gym on my own in daylight. That’s when I need to go back to my dragon riding enemies to lovers joy reads.

    • AshlysaurusRex@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      I’m feeling low and struggling lately feeling like the world is awful, and reading this comment just helped me remember that sometimes people are awful but the world isn’t. I thought you should know you just helped a stranger feel better. Thanks!

      • swirlypepper@alien.topB
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        10 months ago

        Glad it helped! I’ve done some self guided CBT and gratitude journalling to switch my perspective back round which I personally found helpful.

        • AshlysaurusRex@alien.topB
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          10 months ago

          Oh man I have a whole CBT booklet I’m supposed to do, thanks for reminding me haha maybe I’ll actually do it. It’s encouraging hearing it helps. Thanks!