Mother's Day and my charming, thoughtful husband presents me with a new book. A book written by someone around our age. I ask him about it and he's surprised I've not seen reviews. He's seen it reviewed all around the traps, but me, nope, but I'm interested. I like reading things that are by our generation's writers. Jonathon Safran Foer's 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close' is absolutely in my top reads. You dream a dream, the dream comes true, that must be an amazing feeling. If you've read it, please tell me - tell me someone else has read it. I need a support group.
After a few pages I asked Matt if he'd read any of it. Nope. I was a little shocked, I must say. But I kept reading, intrigued.
I'm no prude, but my wordy, it very nearly made me faint this morning with its graphic detail. I wish I was kidding (I still feel a little off-colour now), but all of a sudden I felt that tell-tale nausea, started seeing stars, sweating, and had to sit down very quickly. My lips drained of any colour, I hoped Matt would magically reappear from work and take care of the smalls while I convalesced.
The graphic nature of the book - well my dear husband had no clue! My children had to fend for themselves while I sat on the cool of the tiles. I've never had my stomach turned by any reading matter. Even now I don't know if I can go back to it.
Have you ever had an adverse effects to reading?
18 comments:
Physical reactions to only two books: Jodi Picoult's Sister Act and Mo Hayder's The Treatment.
The first because the ending was so unexpected and shocking...I felt a sense of sorrow for days.
The second because she didn't go for a happy ending either and it left me feeling very hollow and disturbed.
No fainting or vomiting, but very intense emotions...
I've read a passage from the book. It's gross out sensationalism disguised as feminism to sell books on shock factor. To sum up. I know that I don't want to read this. Poor you having now warning... I think they should have a sticker on the front Caution: this book is disgusting just for the sake of it.
I just read the review and I nearly fainted - too much for me I feel and Im pretty open minded. Let us know if you make it to the end - you can read so we dont have to perhaps :)
ooh - I haven't heard, and have not yet visited your reviews ( but I will )
The book that turned my stomach and that I had to put down many times during the first reading was "American Psycho". I couldn't believe someone could write like that and not be *doing* these things .. it seemed too graphic to be from the imagination.
Also, "There's Something About Kevin" still hangs with me.
Re: Bugmum - "Sister Act" - perhaps it's because I read 3x JP books in a row ( and then no more, ever again, too formula ), that I wasn't shocked nor surprised nor even really moved by this book. I reckon this might have been your first JP ? ( look, they weren't bad at all, but yeah, 3 in a row, and they were all rather 'samey' to me .. )
I must read the reviews I am intrigued but feeling wary
me again... just read the Aust review, didn't even get very far and was totally disgusted and sick, how could such stuff even get published!!! yuk
I just read the Australian review and that was certainly enough for me... I feel physically ill and have that gross bile taste in my mouth... lovely for a Friday afternoon... must hit the sav blanc when I get home to get rid of the memory.
Happy mothers day, as in that job there isn't enough discussion of body fluids I say. Has the doctor got the same love of the word poo like Caleb?
Back to topic - I think the strangest thing is how popular it seems to be for such a left of field writing - interesting
I haven't read it. Only the reviews. Sounds pretty stupid to me. I think it's made a lot of money for it's writer, though! Probably the intention. Set it on fire. Not enough book burning going on these days, lex.
Eeewww I just read one of the reviews. I think I'll be staying far away from reading that book.
It took me many weeks to build up to reading the tooth extraction chapter in "A million little pieces" by James Frey. I knew it was coming so I could prepare myself. It was very full on. I haven't heard of that book you're (no longer) reading. Oh yes, that Kevin book was very disturbing too. And I stayed well away from "American Psycho."
Oh, I hate it when you've allowed something into your brain and you can't take back the synapses. I agree re American Psycho - but then I couldn't decide if that was actually Easton Ellis' genius - to make us think he, as an author, must be that character to write that character... I won't be reading Wetlands. I have enough poo in my life from my two babies. Go and get a nice Georgette Heyer from that bookshop of yours and balance out the vulgarity with some Regency manners.
The Australian review made me certain that not only did I not want to read the book, but none of the other reviews either. Begs the question what reviews has your husband seen? Or is that the problem...seen, not read? He so needs to make up for that oops!
I was debating about picking this book up in the shop the other day - I haven't read any reviews but I have read an interview with the author. She obviously played down the really disgusting bits as I was considering reading it! Maybe not now. I have read The Treatment by Mo Hayder and it disturbed me and American Psycho. Tokyo by Mo Hader is disturbing too but I liked that one! I've just had lunch so I'm not going to read the reviews now but maybe later.
Ok, so i read the Times review, & that will be it for me
Not my kind of book, my stomach is weak
Wow, doesn't sound like my cup of tea. The review itself was interesting, but it gave me no desire to read the book. Real life has enough stomach turning moments without having to add to them through reading fiction. Blurgh! Give me happy clappy escapism any day :D
Can't wait to see what Matt gets you for your 30th....
Are you sure he didn't read it first??
I blushed my way through The Bride Stripped Bare.
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