The most fascinating but disturbing books I’ve ever read

Throughout history, there have been remarkable books that, upon their release, sparked a firestorm of outrage, entangling themselves in obscenity trials or posing a serious risk to the publisher and author. While these disturbing books prove to be deeply unsettling, as a book lover I believe it is crucial to recognize the inherent distinction between the narrative they present and the art form they embody.

In other words, these books are true masterpieces that both push boundaries and demand contemplation. In celebration of thought-provoking and unsettling works, I present five of my favorite, but also the most disturbing books of all time that embody this dual nature. I’m often inspired when I read something slightly different than the kind of book that I’d normally pick up. Therefore, these disturbing books invite you to venture beyond your usual reading preferences and embrace a different kind of literary experience.

 

 

 

Five of the most disturbing books

Lolita

by Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita tells the story of a middle-aged man named Humbert Humbert, who becomes sexually obsessed with a 12-year-old girl named Dolores Haze, whom he calls “Lolita.” The novel provides a disturbing insight into Humbert’s twisted mind and justifying his immoral behaviour. Throughout the novel, Humbert manipulates and seduces Lolita, leading to a tragic and destructive relationship between them. The novel is considered one of the most sexually disturbing books of all time, exploring themes of obsession, desire, power, and morality, and raising questions about the nature of love, sexuality, and the human condition. Despite the controversial subject matter, the novel is considered a literary masterpiece for its complex narrative structure and poetic prose. The novel has been the subject of controversy and debate since its publication in 1955, with some critics condemning it as morally repugnant while others praise its literary merit and psychological depth. In the late 50s and beginning of the 1960s, the book was banned as “obscene” in France, England, Argentina, and New Zealand.

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Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

This is the first novel I had to read during my high school years, which left me both disturbed as well as intrigued too. The novel tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who become stranded on a deserted island and attempt to govern themselves. As they struggle to survive, the boys begin to form alliances and rivalries, and their innate savagery is gradually revealed. The novel explores the themes of power, civilization, and human nature, as the boys’ attempts to establish order and govern themselves ultimately descend into chaos and violence. The novel is a powerful allegory of the human condition, suggesting that the darkness that exists within all of us can be unleashed in the absence of civilization and social norms. Lord of the Flies has become a classic of modern literature and has been widely studied in schools and universities around the world, prompting discussions about the nature of power, the consequences of violence, and the importance of civilization and morality.

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Hell’s Angels

by Hunter S. Thompson

 

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The Lottery

by Shirley Jackson

Disturbing and gripping in its own way, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson stands out as a unique work in literature. The short story depicts a small town’s annual lottery, which is revealed to be a ritual sacrifice. The story opens with the townspeople gathering for the lottery, with anticipation building as each family draws a slip of paper from a box. When Tessie Hutchinson, a housewife, draws the slip with a black dot, she becomes the ‘winner’ of the lottery. The other villagers then proceed to stone her to death, with even her own family members participating. Furthermore, the book highlights the dangers of blindly following tradition and the devastating consequences of groupthink and mob mentality. Initially published in the New Yorker, the story sparked immense and overwhelmingly negative responses from readers, leading to canceled subscriptions and the eventual banning of the book in the Union of South Africa.