topic One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read? in Book Club

One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

sunala — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 18:40:00 GMT

I've read several sad books, for sure, but it's hard to name the saddest one. I really did cry reading The Four Winds, but it wasn't close to the saddest.

Thinking back, I'd have to say one of the saddest books was Every Last One, by Anna Quindlen. My eyes filled up with tears just thinking about it. I know there are many others, including my favorite, The Good Earth, but off hand I can't think of them.

What are your saddest books?

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

Another new name Sue — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 19:02:16 GMT

I just finished Four Winds. (Hannah) Yes, it was sad, and shameful the way migrants were treated in California. I didn't cry though. Most people have read Grapes of Wrath, so the tragedy of that period isn't news.

The saddest book I've read is Where the Red Fern Grows. Dog lovers beware of this one.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

Vivian — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 19:07:31 GMT

I read a series of historical British mysteries that I loved. The author suddenly died so I knew that the last book I read was, in fact, the last. I cried.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

QVCkitty1 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 19:20:36 GMT

A Man Called Ove, I sobbed at the end. 😢

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

JYWilliams — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 21:08:43 GMT

The saddest book I read was when I was a child, "The Little Match Girl."

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

sunshine45 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 23:17:35 GMT

although there is always hope at the end.......the saddest books i have ever read were THE KITE RUNNER and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS. powerful reading, but you definitely have to be in the mood for them.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

bmorechick — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 01:48:59 GMT

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt...sad story

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 04:32:30 GMT

@bmorechick wrote:
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt...sad story

@bmorechick , I forgot about that one, it was brutal.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

PJinIA — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:18:45 GMT

Old Yeller....I think I'm scarred for life after rteading that one as a kid.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

CareBears — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:45:08 GMT

When I was in 8th grade I read Where The Red Fern Grows, I cannot even think about that book without tearing up even to this day!

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

haddon9 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:51:56 GMT

@sunala Hmmm I'm not sure off the top of my head. However one of the saddest movies that I've seen was called, "Hatchi, A Dog's Tale" starring Richard Geere.

It was made in 2009 but we just saw it for the first time a few weeks ago....OMG!! So Sad! DH said that was good....I couldn't respond since I was bawling! It's loosely based on a true story.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

Nonametoday — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:56:27 GMT

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
A Man Called Ove, I sobbed at the end. 😢

@QVCkitty1

Oh, I thought that was a great book. I did not find it that sad. I loved Ove. I wish there were more books like that.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

proudlyfromNJ — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 17:02:10 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@sunala Hmmm I'm not sure off the top of my head. However one of the saddest movies that I've seen was called, "Hatchi, A Dog's Tale" starring Richard Geere.

It was made in 2009 but we just saw it for the first time a few weeks ago....OMG!! So Sad! DH said that was good....I couldn't respond since I was bawling! It's loosely based on a true story.

@haddon9 I know what it's about but there's no way I would be able to watch it. I'd never stop crying.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

Buffalogal47 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 17:05:05 GMT

"The B--tard of Istanbul" and "Honor", both by Elif Shafak. Two of the saddest books I have ever read. You can't read them without a box of tissues. If you have never read anything by this author, I highly recommend her. She is quite prolific and all of her books are good.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 17:29:55 GMT

@Nonametoday wrote:
@QVCkitty1 wrote:
A Man Called Ove, I sobbed at the end. 😢
@QVCkitty1
Oh, I thought that was a great book. I did not find it that sad. I loved Ove. I wish there were more books like that.

@Nonametoday I loved it too, but it was sad and touching. I cried like a baby.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

Nonametoday — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 17:55:51 GMT

"Truths I Never Told you"

"The Things We cannot Say"

"If You Tell"

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

Nonametoday — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 17:59:50 GMT

Does anyone remember the name of the book about the couple in NYC who abused the adopted children (true story) but I cannot remember the name and they abused them terribly. I think both of them went to prison. They would get drugged up and abuse the children terribly bad.

That was one of the saddest books I ever read. Child abuse books get to my heart. There are many I have read in my lifetime but those I listed above are some I have read more recently.

I think, because I served on a jury that indicted a woman who (she and her boyfriend, very upper middle class), beat and murdered one of her children and the other had broken bones and presented to the ER frequently and the police were reporting it but she was from an affluent family and it was just swept under the rug sotospeak. I saw the pictures of those children and I think it just so touched me and moved me to read books about those kinds of incidents. Maybe I should not.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

haddon9 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 18:06:01 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@haddon9 wrote:
@sunala Hmmm I'm not sure off the top of my head. However one of the saddest movies that I've seen was called, "Hatchi, A Dog's Tale" starring Richard Geere.

It was made in 2009 but we just saw it for the first time a few weeks ago....OMG!! So Sad! DH said that was good....I couldn't respond since I was bawling! It's loosely based on a true story.
@haddon9 I know what it's about but there's no way I would be able to watch it. I'd never stop crying.

@proudlyfromNJ I really had no idea so it was a complete surprise to me...I was deeply affected by it and couldn't stop thinking about it for days!

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

bmorechick — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:01:20 GMT

@Nonametoday wrote:
Does anyone remember the name of the book about the couple in NYC who abused the adopted children (true story) but I cannot remember the name and they abused them terribly. I think both of them went to prison. They would get drugged up and abuse the children terribly bad.

That was one of the saddest books I ever read. Child abuse books get to my heart. There are many I have read in my lifetime but those I listed above are some I have read more recently.

I think, because I served on a jury that indicted a woman who (she and her boyfriend, very upper middle class), beat and murdered one of her children and the other had broken bones and presented to the ER frequently and the police were reporting it but she was from an affluent family and it was just swept under the rug sotospeak. I saw the pictures of those children and I think it just so touched me and moved me to read books about those kinds of incidents. Maybe I should not.

While I do not remember the book it was the story of Hedda Nussbaum and her partner (don't recall his name). They were caretakers for a child Lisa Steinberg and that story affected me profoundly. That was written during a time where child abuse unfortunately, wasn't given as much attention as it thankfully is today.

Re: One of the Saddest Books You've Ever Read?

proudlyfromNJ — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:10:17 GMT

@bmorechick wrote:
@Nonametoday wrote:
Does anyone remember the name of the book about the couple in NYC who abused the adopted children (true story) but I cannot remember the name and they abused them terribly. I think both of them went to prison. They would get drugged up and abuse the children terribly bad.

That was one of the saddest books I ever read. Child abuse books get to my heart. There are many I have read in my lifetime but those I listed above are some I have read more recently.

I think, because I served on a jury that indicted a woman who (she and her boyfriend, very upper middle class), beat and murdered one of her children and the other had broken bones and presented to the ER frequently and the police were reporting it but she was from an affluent family and it was just swept under the rug sotospeak. I saw the pictures of those children and I think it just so touched me and moved me to read books about those kinds of incidents. Maybe I should not.
While I do not remember the book it was the story of Hedda Nussbaum and her partner (don't recall his name). They were caretakers for a child Lisa Steinberg and that story affected me profoundly. That was written during a time where child abuse unfortunately, wasn't given as much attention as it thankfully is today.

@bmorechick @Nonametoday The disgusting pigs name is Joel Steinberg. Unfortunately the pig was released from prison.