I have made clear my personal stance that art should be challenging. I can even list off some classical literary tiles, both modern and not, that fulfil this criteria and which I wholeheartedly recommend (in my personal opinion.)
Even contemporary fictional titles can fit the bill.
But that is the safe world of fiction. Whilst challenging its not the whole story, so to speak.
I’m also an avid non fiction reader. More often than not, reading books that challenge my assumption of the human condition and make me question whether or not our species truly are this supposed rational life form.
Many titles that have forced me to ponder our, well, humanity actually come from history books recounting troubling events. Admittedly moreso from WWII specifically. I think because of how I learnt of the Nazi regime still sticks with me to this day. (I had a history teacher who despised Hitler.)
Young Hitler. The making of the Fuhrer by Paul Ham
Ordinary Men by Christopher R Browning. Seriously that one was like, whoah. It’s about the real life reserve police unit who massacred Jews during WWII under orders, even as the majority were disgusted by such acts. They still did so though. Even the author offers them no absolution.
Various biographies of Hitler by (I assume) esteemed historians/academics.
But are there any titles fiction or non fiction that just absolutely gutted you for whatever reason?
Any reccs? I’m always hungry for some good gut punching books
Have at it
Even contemporary fictional titles can fit the bill.
But that is the safe world of fiction. Whilst challenging its not the whole story, so to speak.
I’m also an avid non fiction reader. More often than not, reading books that challenge my assumption of the human condition and make me question whether or not our species truly are this supposed rational life form.
Many titles that have forced me to ponder our, well, humanity actually come from history books recounting troubling events. Admittedly moreso from WWII specifically. I think because of how I learnt of the Nazi regime still sticks with me to this day. (I had a history teacher who despised Hitler.)
Young Hitler. The making of the Fuhrer by Paul Ham
Ordinary Men by Christopher R Browning. Seriously that one was like, whoah. It’s about the real life reserve police unit who massacred Jews during WWII under orders, even as the majority were disgusted by such acts. They still did so though. Even the author offers them no absolution.
Various biographies of Hitler by (I assume) esteemed historians/academics.
But are there any titles fiction or non fiction that just absolutely gutted you for whatever reason?
Any reccs? I’m always hungry for some good gut punching books
Have at it