Does anybody read those 'terrible childhood' books?
You know the ones I mean, A Boy called Dave etc
The authors recount their awful childhoods that were filled with abuse and cruelty.
If you are a fan why do you read them?
Personally having only browse through 1 or 2 they seem like vouyeurism of the worse kind to me but as they say everyone is different.
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Do you read those books?
Quote by Garfield1
Yes but to the aurthors it means a release from their hell and a way to come to terms with what has happened to them,
I cvan see that writing those books can be therapy but reading them? I don't think people need their problems publish to find a release. No, I don't think the readers of these books are carrying out a public service.
Quote by keeno
Yes but to the aurthors it means a release from their hell and a way to come to terms with what has happened to them,
I cvan see that writing those books can be therapy but reading them? I don't think people need their problems publish to find a release. No, I don't think the readers of these books are carrying out a public service.
Really whys that then?
Sex God
No - I don't need to read about someone's troubles and make them money. 
Yes I just noticed a whole shelf in Smiths. People are lapping it up. I haven't read one, but may well try one at some point.
I expect such novels are not going to get into details, but its enough to know that the reader could well be left to imagine all sorts of things. So how does that sit with most people?
Its extraordinary how such products are now being 'marketed' for casual consumption. I just don't know whether to condemn it or embrace it.
I expect such novels are not going to get into details, but its enough to know that the reader could well be left to imagine all sorts of things. So how does that sit with most people?
Its extraordinary how such products are now being 'marketed' for casual consumption. I just don't know whether to condemn it or embrace it.
Anybody who writes a book to be published to the masses are doing it for one reason..............
Kerching ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££
If they were doing it for a "release" of their past then it would be a free or cost only book, so others can learn and not have the same problems in life.
As for who reads them? More than likely the same people who slowed down to look at the car crash on the way to buy the book.
Dave_Notts
Kerching ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££
If they were doing it for a "release" of their past then it would be a free or cost only book, so others can learn and not have the same problems in life.
As for who reads them? More than likely the same people who slowed down to look at the car crash on the way to buy the book.
Dave_Notts
Sex God
Quote by Dave__Notts
Anybody who writes a book to be published to the masses are doing it for one reason..............
Kerching ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££
If they were doing it for a "release" of their past then it would be a free or cost only book, so others can learn and not have the same problems in life.
As for who reads them? More than likely the same people who slowed down to look at the car crash on the way to buy the book.
Dave_Notts
:thumbup:
The only one I read was The Boy by Kevin Lewis and that was because it was bought for me. He wrote it as a way of telling his wife about his childhood. It was brilliantly written but so depressing to read. The heartwarming thing is that he ( and others ) have survived the most dreadful abuse and have moved on to better lives.
It's not my usual type of read and I steer clear of that section in the bookstores. It IS like roadkill and a bit voyeuristic but I do empathise with the authors and applaude their courage to open their terrible lives to the world.
Angela's Ashes on the other hand, is an exceptional read. It still smacks heavily of abuse but financial and emotional due to the time and circumstances rather than physical or sexual.
It's not my usual type of read and I steer clear of that section in the bookstores. It IS like roadkill and a bit voyeuristic but I do empathise with the authors and applaude their courage to open their terrible lives to the world.
Angela's Ashes on the other hand, is an exceptional read. It still smacks heavily of abuse but financial and emotional due to the time and circumstances rather than physical or sexual.
I wouldn't go out & buy such a book. Just like I don't watch medical dramas (apart from House- because I have a weird thing for Hugh Lauries character :shock: )
However, I read "Billy" by Pamela Stevenson & was terrifically moved- inspired even- by what a survivor the guy is.
I think if you've suffered similarly, they may well help you. In my experience, it always helps to know you're not alone.
However, I read "Billy" by Pamela Stevenson & was terrifically moved- inspired even- by what a survivor the guy is.
I think if you've suffered similarly, they may well help you. In my experience, it always helps to know you're not alone.
Quote by winchwench
I wouldn't go out & buy such a book. Just like I don't watch medical dramas (apart from House- because I have a weird thing for Hugh Lauries character :shock: )
However, I read "Billy" by Pamela Stevenson & was terrifically moved- inspired even- by what a survivor the guy is.
I think if you've suffered similarly, they may well help you. In my experience, it always helps to know you're not alone.
Yep - that's why I think people publish them, and why some people read them.
Sex God
I think that most literature has a place somewhere, and that is good. If someone has suffered tragedy and loss or success come to think of it and then writes about their experiences then if they make a lot of £ good on them. I personally would prefer to read that than some sensationalized tabloid expose or the like. And surely it can not be any worse than writing about fictional events?
Hey! My opinion?:- if we're reading Our brains ain't atrophying.
Hey! My opinion?:- if we're reading Our brains ain't atrophying.
I remember during English Literature at secondary school we read a book called "There is a Happy Land" which started out really nice and pleasant but ended up with a guy whom the author and his childhood friends calling "uncle mad", sexually abusing and killing a child that they used to hang around with.
This book was by no means substantially graphic but it made an impact on us and I'm sure that is what it was intended to do. It's not the type of thing I would read these days we have enough bad shit staring at us in the papers or on TV to feel the need to top myself up with more grief or misery!!
This book was by no means substantially graphic but it made an impact on us and I'm sure that is what it was intended to do. It's not the type of thing I would read these days we have enough bad shit staring at us in the papers or on TV to feel the need to top myself up with more grief or misery!!
Yes I've read a number of them. My favourite read was "The Bell Jar" and my last one was last year on holiday, it was called "Cathy" and was a horrifying true story from the foster carers perspective on a young girl.
It's my line of study and I have an avid interest in children's welfare. Of course I find the books upsetting but it's reality and sometimes when I'm sitting back happy and content it's reading stories like these that makes me realise just how damn lucky I am.
It's my line of study and I have an avid interest in children's welfare. Of course I find the books upsetting but it's reality and sometimes when I'm sitting back happy and content it's reading stories like these that makes me realise just how damn lucky I am.
Quote by Dave__Notts
Anybody who writes a book to be published to the masses are doing it for one reason..............
Kerching ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££
If they were doing it for a "release" of their past then it would be a free or cost only book, so others can learn and not have the same problems in life.
As for who reads them? More than likely the same people who slowed down to look at the car crash on the way to buy the book.
Dave_Notts
This is first time I've ever had to disagree with you Dave. Not ALL the books are about money for themselves. A number of them are to bring an awareness to people about the abuse and horrors that are out there. It's also about self help and therapy for a number of sufferers.
Try reading "The Bell Jar" or "A letter to my son" the latter had proceeds donated to a mental health charity.
Until anyone has actually been through these tortures they cannot possibly comment on the reasons why these people have decided to put pen to paper and as for voyeurism? - absolute codswallop!
I can see my bowing out of this thread before I get upset or angry.
I love to read. I average 3 or 4 books a week. Thats far too many to only read the books I know I will like. I therefore pick books at random from libraries and charity shop shelves. I have read a boook by very author on the fiction shelves of my local library. I also have a tatse for books regarding abuse and mental health because of my own life experiences. As a result I have read many books of the type described. I also write for fun.
I read because it opens my mind. It gives me an insight onto how other people see the world intrepret it and feed it back. Its exciting; it amkes we weep with despair and scream with orgasmic joy and opens up every emotion in between.
Thats why i do it.
Call it voyeurism call it wanting to grow spiritually, call it wnating experiences. Whatever you call it, I think its fun.
I read because it opens my mind. It gives me an insight onto how other people see the world intrepret it and feed it back. Its exciting; it amkes we weep with despair and scream with orgasmic joy and opens up every emotion in between.
Thats why i do it.
Call it voyeurism call it wanting to grow spiritually, call it wnating experiences. Whatever you call it, I think its fun.
How about it help's, mybe some 'People' cant actualy talk about what has happen to them, mybe they need to put in down in the form of word, words that one day may help them through their trauma.
And as for money no amount of money will ever replace a lost child hood, no money will ever erase the things that have happpened, did it ever occur to you that the money may actualy be going to help in the form of counselling or therapy.
Of course not that never entered your mind did it oh no the person has suffered years of abuse, abuse that strips you of your self esteem, your ablity to function your reason, takes every thing that you hold dearly.
It is gone and gone for good, no one can wave a magic wand and make it all better.
And they certainly didn't think one day Oh i know i'll write a book on how someone violated me, how someone stole my soul, stole the ablity to trust people, to love people and make some money cause that is all i'm intrested in.
Oh my what a utopia world some of you live in.
Oh and yes i do read the books. i belive i have three or four of these book so does that make me a sick twisted voyuer
And as for money no amount of money will ever replace a lost child hood, no money will ever erase the things that have happpened, did it ever occur to you that the money may actualy be going to help in the form of counselling or therapy.
Of course not that never entered your mind did it oh no the person has suffered years of abuse, abuse that strips you of your self esteem, your ablity to function your reason, takes every thing that you hold dearly.
It is gone and gone for good, no one can wave a magic wand and make it all better.
And they certainly didn't think one day Oh i know i'll write a book on how someone violated me, how someone stole my soul, stole the ablity to trust people, to love people and make some money cause that is all i'm intrested in.
Oh my what a utopia world some of you live in.
Oh and yes i do read the books. i belive i have three or four of these book so does that make me a sick twisted voyuer
Sex God
Quote by Garfield1
How about it help's, mybe some 'People' cant actualy talk about what has happen to them, mybe they need to put in down in the form of word, words that one day may help them through their trauma.
And as for money no amount of money will ever replace a lost child hood, no money will ever erase the things that have happpened, did it ever occur to you that the money may actualy be going to help in the form of counselling or therapy.
Of course not that never entered your mind did it oh no the person has suffered years of abuse, abuse that strips you of your self esteem, your ablity to function your reason, takes every thing that you hold dearly.
It is gone and gone for good, no one can wave a magic wand and make it all better.
And they certainly didn't think one day Oh i know i'll write a book on how someone violated me, how someone stole my soul, stole the ablity to trust people, to love people and make some money cause that is all i'm intrested in.
Oh my what a utopia world some of you live in.
Oh and yes i do read the books. i belive i have three or four of these book so does that make me a sick twisted voyuer
I can't imagine that for every one of them, it was just written for the cathartic experience. Just writing it down will not take away the experience and the memories either- so that's not a magic wand is it?. Money will have entered the heads of some people. If not, they'd write for nothing
My world is no utopia - it's a world where I don't have to read those kinds of books because I have problems of my own that I choose not to share with all the world and his uncle. Especially on here.
Quote by Freckledbird
How about it help's, mybe some 'People' cant actualy talk about what has happen to them, mybe they need to put in down in the form of word, words that one day may help them through their trauma.
And as for money no amount of money will ever replace a lost child hood, no money will ever erase the things that have happpened, did it ever occur to you that the money may actualy be going to help in the form of counselling or therapy.
Of course not that never entered your mind did it oh no the person has suffered years of abuse, abuse that strips you of your self esteem, your ablity to function your reason, takes every thing that you hold dearly.
It is gone and gone for good, no one can wave a magic wand and make it all better.
And they certainly didn't think one day Oh i know i'll write a book on how someone violated me, how someone stole my soul, stole the ablity to trust people, to love people and make some money cause that is all i'm intrested in.
Oh my what a utopia world some of you live in.
Oh and yes i do read the books. i belive i have three or four of these book so does that make me a sick twisted voyuer
I can't imagine that for every one of them, it was just written for the cathartic experience. Just writing it down will not take away the experience and the memories either- so that's not a magic wand is it?. Money will have entered the heads of some people. If not, they'd write for nothing
My world is no utopia - it's a world where I don't have to read those kinds of books because I have problems of my own that I choose not to share with all the world and his uncle. Especially on here.
who are we to say they do/dont write for nothing, should we get them all to but a disclaimer in the front of their books.
And i dont remember saying anything about it taking away their pain or the memorys i said it may 'help' nothing will ever take away the pain or suffering.
I applaud those that have had the currage to stand up and say hay world here look, i want to show you somthing, i want to show you a world that some of you will never understand, some of you will never know exsists in the hope that if it save just one then it has all been worth it.
for far to long has the abused been made to feel like what has happend to them is dirty and its all their fault, well now they have a voice because thats all it is a voice nothing more nothing less, it a way to communicate.
As for sharing to the world and his uncle, maybe people should keep quiet, we wouldn't want people to open up and say i want to stand and be counted i want the world to know about the evils that men/women do, it would be so much more easy if we could just say one word and everone would know what that word ment not for sympathy, but for recognistion for being a suvivor, for peicing ones life back together one pice at a time.
It's not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worth cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat. Theodore Roosevelt
For i am spartacus
Sex God
Quote by Garfield1
As for sharing to the world and his uncle, maybe people should keep quiet, we wouldn't want people to open up and say i want to stand and be counted i want the world to know about the evils that men/women do, it would be so much more easy if we could just say one word and everone would know what that word ment not for sympathy, but for recognistion for being a suvivor, for peicing ones life back together one pice at a time.
I didn't say everyone should keep quiet - I said I choose not to share. I believe that some people who write these types of book, do it for the money. I have no idea of the motivation of others - maybe for some it is cathartic. Youdon't know how they all think either.
Anything that people find enjoyable to read has had clever editing and help to produce it. So there is a mechanism at work behind such novels to 'flood' the market. I mean there is bound to be a rating for the top survivor novel etc.
Whilst it now appears to be acceptable to read the stories of the survivors, it goes without saying that few would admit to wanting to know the stories of the abusers.
Whilst this sounds distasteful, most abusers were at one time the abused. So are we likely to see such material being produced? Its all the more likely if there is a growing market for any such material.
Whilst it now appears to be acceptable to read the stories of the survivors, it goes without saying that few would admit to wanting to know the stories of the abusers.
Whilst this sounds distasteful, most abusers were at one time the abused. So are we likely to see such material being produced? Its all the more likely if there is a growing market for any such material.
Quote by Freckledbird
As for sharing to the world and his uncle, maybe people should keep quiet, we wouldn't want people to open up and say i want to stand and be counted i want the world to know about the evils that men/women do, it would be so much more easy if we could just say one word and everone would know what that word ment not for sympathy, but for recognistion for being a suvivor, for peicing ones life back together one pice at a time.
I didn't say everyone should keep quiet - I said I choose not to share. I believe that some people who write these types of book, do it for the money. I have no idea of the motivation of others - maybe for some it is cathartic. Youdon't know how they all think either.
I think i have a general understanding of what they are thinking about and can also understand why they have done what they have done.
so what they made some money out of it big deal.
should we also question the likes of
Jack Lengyel
Herman Boone
Ken Carter
Hunter Adams
Erin Brockovich-Ellis
Chris Gardner
cause they have made money off the suffering of people.
It's just possible they are just wanting to tell their story.
Sex God
I think a lot of people have a general understanding; no one person can understand exactly what each abused person has gone through, even if they have suffered themselves - everyone's experience is different because abuse takes many forms.
Some will want to have offloaded, some will have done it for the money - good or bad.
Some will want to have offloaded, some will have done it for the money - good or bad.
Quote by duncanlondon
Anything that people find enjoyable to read has had clever editing and help to produce it. So there is a mechanism at work behind such novels to 'flood' the market. I mean there is bound to be a rating for the top survivor novel etc.
Whilst it now appears to be acceptable to read the stories of the survivors, it goes without saying that few would admit to wanting to know the stories of the abusers.
Whilst this sounds distasteful, most abusers were at one time the abused. So are we likely to see such material being produced? Its all the more likely if there is a growing market for any such material.
And of the books i have read the author has turned out the be the opposite and has shown that you can break the chain, so if that help someone who has been abused and helps them not to become the abuser it's doing some good
