FabSwingers.com forum: Disturbing Books

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Following on from the horror films thread, I'd love some book recommendations because sometimes our imaginations can conjure up worse images than a cinematic director can show on a screen.

American Psycho, there's a scene that isn't in the film. I had to take a 5 minute break after reading that bit.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin)

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories)

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By *rMs.NeekCouple
over a year ago

Worcestershire

Sleepers

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By *opinovMan
over a year ago

Point Nemo, Cumbria

Not really horror, but I can recommend 'The Cement Garden' by Ian McEwan and 'The Wasp Factory' by Ian Banks for their strength of narrative and memorable mental images. They're quite short stories but definitely pack a punch.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The Wasp Factory by Ian Banks

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

From teenage years The Lord of the Flies by William Golfing; and Animal Farm by George Orwell

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By *ampWithABrainWoman
over a year ago

Glasgow

For truly disturbing it’s not really the horror genre you should look to

Try

My sweet audrina

Flowers in the attic

Girl with the dragon tattoo

Before I go to sleep

Beloved

The lovely bones

And that’s just the fictional ones.

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By *orksRockerMan
over a year ago

Bradford

The first two books in Val McDermids Tony Hill series...

A Mermaids Singing

Wire in the Blood

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By *ny1localMan
over a year ago

READING

An oldie but a goody..'the rats',I think by James Herbert .

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By *2000ManMan
over a year ago

Worthing

Peter James wrote some books based on the supernatural genre. Worth checking out.

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By *rwhowhatwherewhyMan
over a year ago

Aylesbury

120 Days of Sodom by the Marques d'Sade

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I've read most of these suggested. Maybe I read too much

Will check out Sleepers but think it might make me cry after reading the synopsis.

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By *atcherwankerMan
over a year ago

Birmingham

"An oldie but a goody..'the rats',I think by James Herbert ."

I used to devour James Herbert books, as a youngster. "Sepulchre" gave me the heebie jeebies as I recall, there was one scene in particular but I'm fucked if I can remember what it was.

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By *iss KinkWoman
over a year ago

North West

The 120 days of sodom

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By *tephTV67TV/TS
over a year ago

Cheshire

There’s a book called Night Work by Thomas Glavinic, I’ll quote from the back of the book….

An ordinary man wakes up on an ordinary day, to find that he’s the only living creature in the city.

I won’t spoil it as it’s a great read and a unique idea for a book.

The Terror by Dan Simmons, that’s based on the Franklin expedition. A big hefty read, cold artic conditions with men being hunted by something.

And I’ll finish on a classic, as the first chapter is absolutely terrifying and the book totally different from the film. Peter Benchley, Jaws.

Some great recommendations on this thread.

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By *ack688Man
over a year ago

abruzzo Italy (and UK)

"The 120 days of sodom"

Yep, that one was quite an experience!

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By *ack688Man
over a year ago

abruzzo Italy (and UK)

You could try a couple of Stephen Graham Jones books such as The only good Indian, or My heart is a chainsaw.

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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Jeffrey Dahmer (gruesome) in detail I only got past few pages

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

The bible.

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By *ools and the brainCouple
over a year ago

couple, us we him her.

The watcher by Charles MacLean

A seriously messed up book that really catches you out .

All I'm going to say is wuff wuff

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By *ooBulMan
over a year ago

Missin’ Yo’ Kissin’

The Wasp Factory - Ian Banks. Very dark book.

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
over a year ago

Reading

The longest walk.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 29/08/22 11:33:45]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Definitely recommend The wasp factory mentioned above.

House of Leaves by Mark Danelewski is one of the best. I made the mistake of reading it in an ebook. Hard copy would have made the experience even better.

Also recommend Full Dark, No stars by Stephen King. Collection of four stories which are pretty dark.

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By *iaisonseekerMan
over a year ago

Liverpool

Anything by JG Ballard is going to sit on the spectrum from mildly unsettling to seriously disturbing.

I've never read Crash, which is probably his most infamous novel but High Rise is a brilliant demonstration of the flimsy border between utopias and dystopias.

Try Philip K Dick's sci- fi too, which constantly questions the nature of reality.

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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

"The Wasp Factory by Ian Banks "

This was the first Ian Banks novel I ever read- great book.

I don’t read horror, I prefer the directors/producers imagery. Just watched Darren Aronofskys mother! I don’t know if there’s a book or not but it would be an interesting read, the film was good but text would really suit this kind of film

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By *ncemoreroundthesunCouple
over a year ago

on the move

Agree with many of these.

The whole of haunted by Chuck Palanuick is very dark. As was snuff and pygmy.

Most of Bret Easton Ellis is very violent and quite hard to read.

A lot of the ww1 books or specific memoirs about Russian gulags, the cultural revolution, north Korea etc are heartbreaking in the horrors that happened.

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By *entBarryUKMan
over a year ago

Ashford

"Following on from the horror films thread, I'd love some book recommendations because sometimes our imaginations can conjure up worse images than a cinematic director can show on a screen.

American Psycho, there's a scene that isn't in the film. I had to take a 5 minute break after reading that bit.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin)

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories) "

You have me intrigued by American Psycho now. I will have to find a copy

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By *entBarryUKMan
over a year ago

Ashford

Nightworld by F Paul Wilson.

The creatures of the dark do some horrendous things.

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By *iltopbearMan
over a year ago

Norfolk

Lord Horror by David Britton.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The First Day of Spring - Nancy Tucker

If you read it, please do self care for 2 weeks. Its very bleak

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By *urhamdebbiecdTV/TS
over a year ago

bishop auckland

Rats by James Herbert

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By *ampWithABrainWoman
over a year ago

Glasgow

“Try Philip K Dick's sci- fi too, which constantly questions the nature of reality.”

Totally agree stuff that messes with your perception of reality is disturbing

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Adding the ones I've not read to my list. Thanks all.

I've read a few Philip K Dick already.

I believe Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep was the basis for Blade Runner.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"The First Day of Spring - Nancy Tucker

If you read it, please do self care for 2 weeks. Its very bleak "

Ohh this was only 99p on kindle right now. I've just bought it

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By *ehindHerEyesCouple
over a year ago

SomewhereOnlyWeKnow

"Adding the ones I've not read to my list. Thanks all.

I've read a few Philip K Dick already.

I believe Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep was the basis for Blade Runner.

It was x

Tg x

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By *ehindHerEyesCouple
over a year ago

SomewhereOnlyWeKnow

The Dark Half by Stephen King, some scenes still stick in my mind to this day and I read it well over 20 years ago.

Tg x

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London

Not a horror, but 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara was disturbing in a different way. It left me reeling; I certainly couldn't read it again, as brilliant as it was.

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By *arkjackMan
over a year ago

West Cork

The House of Leaves.

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By *arkjackMan
over a year ago

West Cork

The Stand.

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By *eyond PurityCouple
over a year ago

Lincolnshire

James Herbert could completely freak me out when I was younger.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is haunting.

As is the Kite Runner, in parts.

A couple of scenes in The Girl in the Dragon Tattoo for me so angry!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The First Day of Spring - Nancy Tucker

If you read it, please do self care for 2 weeks. Its very bleak

Ohh this was only 99p on kindle right now. I've just bought it

It is hands down one of the best written things I've ever read... But it is very harrowing and relentless...

Let me know how you got on with it.. I gave it 20 out of 10

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By *ack688Man
over a year ago

abruzzo Italy (and UK)

"Not a horror, but 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara was disturbing in a different way. It left me reeling; I certainly couldn't read it again, as brilliant as it was."

I really wasn’t all that taken by this book, it certainly lived up to its warning of ‘abuse porn’, and I don’t have a problem with dark difficult books but I just didn’t connect with any of the characters, the writing style wasn’t great, having to give three examples of everything she was trying to explain and having single sentences that were half a page long that just rambled senselessly just annoyed me. I wasn’t a fan.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Following on from the horror films thread, I'd love some book recommendations because sometimes our imaginations can conjure up worse images than a cinematic director can show on a screen.

American Psycho, there's a scene that isn't in the film. I had to take a 5 minute break after reading that bit.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin)

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories) "

Does involve a towl rail and a hungry rat?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Does involve a towl rail and a hungry rat?"

Yes, I don't remember the rail but the rats... even thinking about it now makes me cringe.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Anything by JG Ballard is going to sit on the spectrum from mildly unsettling to seriously disturbing.

I've never read Crash, which is probably his most infamous novel but High Rise is a brilliant demonstration of the flimsy border between utopias and dystopias.

Try Philip K Dick's sci- fi too, which constantly questions the nature of reality."

I loved High Rise. Good recommendation for anyone else who hasn't read it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I’m a librarian and loving this.

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By *eadinthecloudsMan
over a year ago

Manchester

1984 and the shining are both fantastic and quite unnerving.

Both much better than their movies as well.

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By *arkjackMan
over a year ago

West Cork

By far and away the most disturbing book I've read is Cormac McCarthy's The Road.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Does involve a towl rail and a hungry rat?

Yes, I don't remember the rail but the rats... even thinking about it now makes me cringe. "

I think he burns her with acid that shoves the hollow towl rail up there yikes

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By *ookie_and_NookieCouple
over a year ago

Kent

"Sleepers "

My favourite book by my favourite author. I’ve been a huge fan of Lorenzo since the first time I read that book. Highly recommend his other books too. I was actually going to comment on this with ‘Apaches’ because there’s some stuff in that which is just horrific.

C x

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By *ookie_and_NookieCouple
over a year ago

Kent

"For truly disturbing it’s not really the horror genre you should look to

Try

My sweet audrina

Flowers in the attic

Girl with the dragon tattoo

Before I go to sleep

Beloved

The lovely bones

And that’s just the fictional ones.

‘Flowers In The Attic’ and ‘The Lovely Bones’ are both amazing but soul destroying.

C x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories) "

Haunted (the book Guts comes from) is amazing. The most disturbing story in it is about the "unsuitable" police doll.

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London

"Not a horror, but 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara was disturbing in a different way. It left me reeling; I certainly couldn't read it again, as brilliant as it was.

Ha, get off that fence, mate. "Abuse porn" is particularly harsh, I think, but we'll just have to agree to disagree!

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By *ister CMan
over a year ago

liverpool

Yeonmi Park - in order to live.

Terrifying insight in to North Korea.

Anecdotally mesmerising speaker and spectacular insight into the workings of socialism and communism.

Also...

Escape from Camp 14.

Both are true... not wot works of fiction and both best avoided if you don't want to expose yourself to what real people to to real people.

Theyre both shocking and disturbing.

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By *aptain Caveman41Man
over a year ago

Home

Anything by Stephen King

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By *ampWithABrainWoman
over a year ago

Glasgow

"For truly disturbing it’s not really the horror genre you should look to

Try

My sweet audrina

Flowers in the attic

Girl with the dragon tattoo

Before I go to sleep

Beloved

The lovely bones

And that’s just the fictional ones.

‘Flowers In The Attic’ and ‘The Lovely Bones’ are both amazing but soul destroying.

C x"

Which is why I thought they fit the brief well, what’s even more disturbing is that the flowers in the attic books were inspired by true events I think happened somewhere in New England? But actually worse than what happens in the 1st book.

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By *nked and Ms InkedCouple
over a year ago

nr wrexham

When Rabbit Howls is deeply disturbing.

As a child I read Watership Down and Plague Dogs, both left me reeling, because of the subject matter. Re read as an adult and had pretty much the same effect.

Henning Mankell novels. First read Faceless Killers when I was in hospital and needed something to read, so grabbed a second hand book from the hospital shop…really disturbing, then read more of his books, all excellent.

They are fiction (bar When Rabbit Howls) but full of the horrors that people can do, and the effects of their actions.

For horror, check out The Castle of Otranto, and the gothic novels of that era xx

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By *uriousscouserWoman
over a year ago

Wirral

The Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift.

It's not particularly gory (though it has its moments), just an unsettling end of the world type novel. There are a few chapters that have really stayed with me.

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By *penbicoupleCouple
over a year ago

Northampton

Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille is disturbing.

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By *idnight RamblerMan
over a year ago

Pershore

I suppose The Road is as bad as things can get. A man and a boy trudging through ash in half light in a post-apocalyptic world.

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By *arkjackMan
over a year ago

West Cork

"I suppose The Road is as bad as things can get. A man and a boy trudging through ash in half light in a post-apocalyptic world."

I think what distinguishes it from the other books listed here is that The Road, book and movie, both felt real, as a real possibility.

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By *iltsTSgirlTV/TS
over a year ago

Chichester

read the bible its probably on of the most disturbing books .. some very weird stuff in it .

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By *enerifehotwifecplCouple
over a year ago

West Yorkshire

Will by Will Smith

His autobiography

Guy has issues

Disturbed me

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

George orwell 1984. The science fiction

dystopian nightmare is leaking of the page and happening in the real world

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The Wasp Factory - Ian Banks. Very dark book. "

Brilliant book

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By *ampWithABrainWoman
over a year ago

Glasgow

Recent posts have reminded me of another that really disturbed in reading as a child - z for Zachariah - bear in mind also I was an 80’s kid and the threat of nuclear war apocalypse felt very real!

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By *arkjackMan
over a year ago

West Cork

"read the bible its probably on of the most disturbing books .. some very weird stuff in it . "

Remember that one time a woman got (edit by Fab) by a bunch of men who cut up her body and shipped the parts off to their home towns? Or the one where when you win a war you dhould keep your promises to burn your children alive?

Bronze Age world, bronze age book, bronze age morals.

It's interesting how moderns think they are edgy when we come from a past where crime let alone sex crime was not a concept.

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By *ack688Man
over a year ago

abruzzo Italy (and UK)

"Not a horror, but 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara was disturbing in a different way. It left me reeling; I certainly couldn't read it again, as brilliant as it was.

Ha, get off that fence, mate. "Abuse porn" is particularly harsh, I think, but we'll just have to agree to disagree!"

Yep, that’s fair, it wouldn’t do to all like the same things.

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By *ack688Man
over a year ago

abruzzo Italy (and UK)

My dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is excellent too, elements of Lolita but told from the perspective of the young girl.

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By *picMan
over a year ago

Petworth

James Herbert, Guy N Smith, Shaun Hutson all wrote some good books

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The Bornless Keeper by P.B Yuill (Gordon Williams & Terry Venables)

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By *agneto.Man
over a year ago

Bham

I used to read true crime and serial killer books. They used to leave me a bit on edge.

More of a spy book reader these days.

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By *ayHaychMan
over a year ago

Leeds (Home) / Sheffield (Work)

"120 Days of Sodom by the Marques d'Sade"

I was looking for this reply. Stumbled on it accidentally when I worked in a library. Erotic, disturbing, confusing…

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By *tooveMan
over a year ago

belfast

"Following on from the horror films thread, I'd love some book recommendations because sometimes our imaginations can conjure up worse images than a cinematic director can show on a screen.

American Psycho, there's a scene that isn't in the film. I had to take a 5 minute break after reading that bit.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin)

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories)

You have me intrigued by American Psycho now. I will have to find a copy"

It's a hard read. Boring as fuck in parts. Really really really boring.

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By *aizyWoman
over a year ago

west midlands

I have read a couple of Richard Laymon's books I found them pretty disturbing, I think I saw him described somewhere once as Stephen King without a conscience!

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By *tooveMan
over a year ago

belfast

"Anything by Stephen King "

Really?

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By *ereforgigglesMan
over a year ago

Scotland

Quake by Richard Laymon

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By *elshcouple18Couple
over a year ago

Cardiff

Amityville horror. Read it about 3 times in my teens, sent chills down my spine and many sleepless nights watching the curtains in my bedroom..

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By *entleman_of_pleasureMan
over a year ago

Manchester

The Purple Cloud by M P Shiel

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By *iaisonseekerMan
over a year ago

Liverpool

"Following on from the horror films thread, I'd love some book recommendations because sometimes our imaginations can conjure up worse images than a cinematic director can show on a screen.

American Psycho, there's a scene that isn't in the film. I had to take a 5 minute break after reading that bit.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin)

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories)

You have me intrigued by American Psycho now. I will have to find a copy

It's a hard read. Boring as fuck in parts. Really really really boring. "

Some of the stylistic tics such as listing all the designer clothes being worn do get a bit tiresome even if he manages to mostly hit the targets of the satire.

I can certainly understand that it may leave some people cold but I find it hilarious (and quotable)

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By *rlandoMan
over a year ago

Lincs. yorks.

"what went wrong with America and how we can fix it" , written in 2011, I read 3/4 through and put it down for for a year before I could finish it , so upsetting .... worse than any horror novel !

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"The First Day of Spring - Nancy Tucker

If you read it, please do self care for 2 weeks. Its very bleak

Ohh this was only 99p on kindle right now. I've just bought it

It is hands down one of the best written things I've ever read... But it is very harrowing and relentless...

Let me know how you got on with it.. I gave it 20 out of 10

I've finished it this morning. I cried, my emotions were are all over the place. Such a gut-wrenching read. I couldn't stop feeling sorry for her, despite all she done. Beautifully written too considering the subject matter. Thanks for recommending and you are right, totally need the self care now!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Rats by James Herbert. How the hell would you fight shit loads of rats??

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By *rumpyMcFuckNuggetMan
over a year ago

Den of Iniquity

"Rats by James Herbert. How the hell would you fight shit loads of rats??"

Awesome book that is

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By *ugehandsMan
over a year ago

Fife/ Newcastle

An idiots guide to swinging

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By *inCity BluesMan
over a year ago

London

"I have read a couple of Richard Laymon's books I found them pretty disturbing"

Beast House - Richard Laymon

The Getaway - Jim Thompson (the ending in the kingdom of El Ray).

Last Exit to Brooklyn - Hubert Selby Jr

The Uninhabitable Earth - David Wallace-Wells: what climate change has in store for us, no matter what we do to combat it.

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By *hiversMan
over a year ago

Dinas Powys

The Bachman books... the novels written under Stephen King's alter ego. All pretty unsettling, but I recommend 'The Long Walk' in particular.

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By *9 kisses.Man
over a year ago

clacton on sea

"I have read a couple of Richard Laymon's books I found them pretty disturbing, I think I saw him described somewhere once as Stephen King without a conscience!"

I agree,

His books are disturbing

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By *ohnandJulieCouple
over a year ago

Some great suggestions here.

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By *he AmbassadorMan
over a year ago

IRLANDA. / Prague. / Cil Dara

"Following on from the horror films thread, I'd love some book recommendations because sometimes our imaginations can conjure up worse images than a cinematic director can show on a screen.

American Psycho, there's a scene that isn't in the film. I had to take a 5 minute break after reading that bit.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin)

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories) "
hey OP

Not sure if anyone else Rec'ed John Connolly to you but he is a must if your looking for a shock read, every dead thing (his first has some shock backdrop reading from the get go,

Soon to be a TV series from what i hear.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I have read a couple of Richard Laymon's books I found them pretty disturbing, I think I saw him described somewhere once as Stephen King without a conscience!

I agree,

His books are disturbing "

Yes I've read a few of his.

I think it was The Cellar that I read first when I was a fairly young teen. I remember thinking he seems to talk about this monster's giant penis a lot

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By *ohnandJulieCouple
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 03/09/22 13:58:45]

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By *arcosaMan
over a year ago

London

"I've read most of these suggested. Maybe I read too much

Is that even possible?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I've read most of these suggested. Maybe I read too much

Is that even possible?"

Not in my eyes. Books are my favourite escapism.

I did once have a boyfriend who complained I read too much though.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions, don't wanna clog up the thread replying to all but I am adding all these to my 'to read' list on StoryGraph.

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By *inCity BluesMan
over a year ago

London

"I think it was The Cellar that I read first when I was a fairly young teen. I remember thinking he seems to talk about this monster's giant penis a lot

The Cellar! That was the one I was thinking of, the one before Beast House.

Here's another: I Was Dora Suarez - Derek Raymond.

So sickening that his publisher, Secker & Warburg, refused to publish it. The Times reviewer described it as: "a book full of coagulating disgust and compassion for the world’s contamination, disease and mutilation"

If that's not five-star I dunno what is.

PS: If you can work out what the killer is doing to his dick with that wheel torture contraption... keep it to yourself.

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By *arcosaMan
over a year ago

London

I'm very old school where good ghost stories are concerned. I'd put the likes of Ambrose Bierce, M.R. James, Robert W Chambers, Lord Dunsany and, of course, H.P. Lovecraft over the majority of modern writers.

Disturbing doesn't have to be in your face, sometimes it's the subtle implications of what's suggested within the story that holds the real horror.

"We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far."

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By *orny-chubbyMan
over a year ago

East London

James Herbert books are brilliant! About to finish The Fog . I usually buy my books on Vinted for very cheap prices

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

The rats tribology scared the fact out of me

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By *ena AmourTV/TS
over a year ago

Chard

"The bible.

Bahaha, it is a tough read for sure!

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By *orny-chubbyMan
over a year ago

East London

"The rats tribology scared the fact out of me"

Yes read all of them ! Brilliant.

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By *arkandlovelyWoman
over a year ago

South Derbyshire

I assume by your username you're already aware of Perfume

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

Call of cuthulu are good books, more fantasy horror. I stopped reading them, when the content of the books ended up in my dreams.

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By *lephantisMan
over a year ago

Oxford

Many great books have already been mentioned...House of Leaves, Wasp Factory, Story of the Eye, 120 Days...especially sections 3 and 4.

I'd add Blood Meridian - The Judge is one of the most terrifying characters in fiction, and he isn't wholly fictitious. And a short story - I Have No Mouth Yet I Must Scream. And anything by MR James or early Lovecraft.

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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago

carrbrook stalybridge

Look up the thirst by guy n Smith remember it being passed around at school in 1980 so a copy may take some searching out but a very plausible apocalyptic tale

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

Ordinary Men, which is an historical study of a German police battalion that went ahead and took part in atrocities during the war.

What makes it so disturbing is that these were ordinary guys, people's dads, husbands and sons. Not nazis or even adherents of the regime. It shows just how easily ordinary people will comply.

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By *istyPeaksCouple
over a year ago

braintree

"I have read a couple of Richard Laymon's books I found them pretty disturbing, I think I saw him described somewhere once as Stephen King without a conscience!

I agree,

His books are disturbing

Yes I've read a few of his.

I think it was The Cellar that I read first when I was a fairly young teen. I remember thinking he seems to talk about this monster's giant penis a lot

Richard Layman is great, disturbing wise he has nothing on Shaun Hutson. Slugs was the vilest.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The First Day of Spring - Nancy Tucker

If you read it, please do self care for 2 weeks. Its very bleak

Ohh this was only 99p on kindle right now. I've just bought it

It is hands down one of the best written things I've ever read... But it is very harrowing and relentless...

Let me know how you got on with it.. I gave it 20 out of 10

Oh i just noticed your reply! Sorry!

You had the same reaction as me and 6 other people who have read it

Hope you are feeling brighter. It's a brilliant, but very hard read x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Rats by James Herbert "

Try Slugs by Shaun Hutson

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By *istyPeaksCouple
over a year ago

braintree

"Rats by James Herbert

Try Slugs by Shaun Hutson "

Great minds!!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Anything by Stephen King "

I would agree with anything before his accident. Since then I struggle to enjoy his books. It feels differant. So differant that I have wkndered if maybe Tabitha now does his writing for him

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"For truly disturbing it’s not really the horror genre you should look to

Try

My sweet audrina

Flowers in the attic

Girl with the dragon tattoo

Before I go to sleep

Beloved

The lovely bones

And that’s just the fictional ones.

Ooooh, The lovely bones!!! Not read that in years! Excellent book!

One disturbing but amazing book for me is The Perfume, in the original German language. I've read both the original and the English translation and the translation doesn't do the book any justice.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Rats by James Herbert

Try Slugs by Shaun Hutson

Great minds!!!"

I love Shaun Hutson but alot of people dont really know of him these days.

Some very disturbing books

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By *arcosaMan
over a year ago

London

"Ordinary Men, which is an historical study of a German police battalion that went ahead and took part in atrocities during the war.

What makes it so disturbing is that these were ordinary guys, people's dads, husbands and sons. Not nazis or even adherents of the regime. It shows just how easily ordinary people will comply."

Sounds fascinating. I have a kind of morbid fascination for that type of human behaviour. Incidents such as the Unit 731 experiments,the conduct of the Dirlewanger Brigade or the relatively more recent My Lai or even Jonestown. The Milgram experiments and the very famous Stanford Prison Experiment showed how people are capable of doing the most awful things if an authority figure gives them permission and is willing to take responsibility.

It's not what they did that fascinates me but why they carried out these atrocities. Anyway I'll certainly look for this book.

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By *ames-77Man
over a year ago

milton keynes

Depends what you class as disturbing.. the book of the dead would scare the hall out of some

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By *ools and the brainCouple
over a year ago

couple, us we him her.

"The watcher by Charles MacLean

A seriously messed up book that really catches you out .

All I'm going to say is wuff wuff

Has anyone else read this book?

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By *Cocksucker84Man
over a year ago

newcastle

"Following on from the horror films thread, I'd love some book recommendations because sometimes our imaginations can conjure up worse images than a cinematic director can show on a screen.

American Psycho, there's a scene that isn't in the film. I had to take a 5 minute break after reading that bit.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin)

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik (you can read this online, it's one of his short stories) "

American Psycho is the only book I've ever had to put down in disgust. I get why it has to be so extreme, and Brett Eston-Ellis is a gifted writer but I cannot do anything pertaining to violence to animals.

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By *Cocksucker84Man
over a year ago

newcastle

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara made me sob like a baby several times. Not from the horror genre but deals heavily in abuse and self-harm. A beautiful book but also relentlessly upsetting.

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