What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?
It didn't take me long to come up with an answer to this question. Many years 
ago, my BFF got me to read FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC by V.C. Andrews. She was a huge fan and had read all of her books. I decided to give it a try and WOW - I can say I hadn't read anything like that ever! At first I didn't know how to feel about the book. The content felt odd and almost bad. Up until that point I hadn't read any book containing incest or anything like that. But the strange thing was I couldn't stop reading it. I don't know if I can say I liked the book, but yes, it did stretch my boundaries and I may have even had a nightmare or two. That book stayed with me for a long time. I even went on to read PETALS ON THE WIND and a few others. I read this book in my early 20's and I come from a small town and I know I was naive when I was young, but that book really opened my eyes to a whole new world of literary fiction for me.
ago, my BFF got me to read FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC by V.C. Andrews. She was a huge fan and had read all of her books. I decided to give it a try and WOW - I can say I hadn't read anything like that ever! At first I didn't know how to feel about the book. The content felt odd and almost bad. Up until that point I hadn't read any book containing incest or anything like that. But the strange thing was I couldn't stop reading it. I don't know if I can say I liked the book, but yes, it did stretch my boundaries and I may have even had a nightmare or two. That book stayed with me for a long time. I even went on to read PETALS ON THE WIND and a few others. I read this book in my early 20's and I come from a small town and I know I was naive when I was young, but that book really opened my eyes to a whole new world of literary fiction for me. What about you? Have you read V.C. Andrews books and if so, how did they make you feel? Or if not, what book do you consider really different?
Oh, I'd forgotten that one! Yes, I read FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC by V.C. Andrews, and loved it although it IS weird.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I haven't read any VC Andrews, although my mom used to read them. But the descriptions make them sound pretty creepy, and I usually like creepy, so maybe I should give Andrews a try.
ReplyDeleteMy former co-worker recommended this book to me after she said it was the strangest thing she's ever read. The incest part freaked me out, but I might read this one day.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that this book is unputdownable, but also really weird and disturbing.
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember reading Flowers in the Attic, and a couple of others back in high school. They were strange! I too think the whole incest thing was a new concept for my naive mind and I think I was bit uncomfortable but was hooked into the storyline until the end!
ReplyDelete*smiles*
Kim
I've never read Flowers in the Attic, but I remember hearing a lot about it when I was in high school.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for commenting! This book really did give me the creeps! But it takes hold of you and makes you want to keep reading. The incest thing really bothered me and I remember at the time thinking, 'should I be reading this?' I think it was a interesting experience for me that I'll never forget.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to read everyone's answer this week. Books mostly fall into two categories: extremely weird and confusing. Incest is a subject which I don't feel comfortable reading. It bothers me.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way...it just grabs you. I mean - you want to put it down because it does give you the creeps - yet it has such a hold on you that you can't...
ReplyDeleteI use to read V.C. Andrews and I was a huge fan. I stopping reading years ago. One my friends still read the V. C. Andrews books which are actually written by Andrew Neiderman,author who wrote Devil's Advocate. V.C. Andrews died in the 80's. See I know way to much and you have probably stopped caring what I am talking about. lol
ReplyDeleteMatt - I can appreciate how you feel about it. It is pretty creepy.
ReplyDeleteKara - sounds like you know exactly how I felt!
Shannon - I actually only read 2 or 3 of the earliest books by V.C. I never have read any of them published after her death in 1986.
What a cute blog you have! I haven't read "Flower in the Attic" either but this book certainly caused some ripples when I was a teenaged girl :)
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to rummage through our old bookstores for this when I go home!
Wow...this brings back so many memories...I read this series in my late teens. They were completely creepy, but utterly engaging.
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