"10 BOOKS THAT WILL MAKE YOU CRY": DE MODE OF LITERATURE
- DE MODE
- Oct 19, 2024
- 5 min read
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE | LITERATURE
Article Published on: 19TH OCT 2024 | www.demodemagazine.com
Books have an incredible ability to evoke deep emotions, and some stories have the unique power to touch our hearts in profound ways. Whether it's the heartbreak of loss, the beauty of love, or the resilience of the human spirit, certain books leave a lasting impact, often moving readers to tears. In this piece, we’ll explore three books that are almost guaranteed to make you cry. These novels not only tell beautiful stories but also explore universal emotions in ways that resonate deeply with readers.
1. "A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is one of the most emotionally devastating novels of recent years. This book is a haunting portrayal of trauma, friendship, and the complexities of the human psyche. It follows the lives of four college friends—Jude, Willem, Malcolm, and JB—over several decades as they navigate their careers, relationships, and personal struggles. But at the heart of the novel is Jude, a brilliant but deeply wounded man who has experienced unimaginable abuse and trauma in his early life.
Impact and Emotional Depth
The novel is an emotional rollercoaster, delving into themes of love, friendship, and the lingering effects of trauma. What makes A Little Life particularly heart-wrenching is the vivid and raw portrayal of Jude's suffering, which is relentless throughout the book. Yanagihara doesn't shy away from depicting the brutal realities of his past, and the reader is forced to confront the psychological scars that trauma can leave behind.
Jude's relationships with his friends, especially Willem, are depicted with tenderness and sensitivity, which makes the painful moments all the more devastating. The novel is a slow build-up of tension and emotion, leading to moments of profound sadness. Readers who have formed a connection with the characters often find themselves overwhelmed by the weight of their struggles.
Themes and Lessons
A Little Life explores the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma and abuse, and how these experiences shape a person’s identity and relationships. It also delves into the complexity of self-worth and survival, as Jude wrestles with feelings of unworthiness and guilt. The novel offers no easy answers, and its characters are beautifully flawed, making them feel deeply human.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is its depiction of friendship as a form of love that is equally powerful and essential as romantic love. Jude's friends become his chosen family, and their unwavering support is one of the novel's few sources of light. But despite this, A Little Life is an emotionally draining read that often leaves readers in tears as they witness the characters' emotional pain and heartbreak.
2. "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars is a young adult novel that has earned a reputation for being a tear-jerker, and for good reason. The story revolves around two teenagers, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, both of whom are living with cancer. While the book is often categorized as a love story, it is much more than that—it's a story about life, death, and what it means to be remembered.
Impact and Emotional Depth
The book is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, filled with moments of humor, joy, and deep sorrow. Hazel and Augustus are intelligent, witty, and philosophical about their conditions, which makes their eventual romance feel both inevitable and bittersweet. They bond over their shared experiences with illness, their love for literature, and their existential conversations about life and death.
What makes The Fault in Our Stars particularly emotional is its honest portrayal of illness and the realities of living with terminal disease. While the novel has many lighthearted moments, it doesn't shy away from the pain, fear, and uncertainty that come with a terminal diagnosis. Green’s writing captures the fragility of life, and the love story between Hazel and Augustus is as beautiful as it is tragic.
As the novel progresses, the looming shadow of death becomes ever more present, and the devastating loss that occurs is heartbreaking for both the characters and the reader. By the end of the book, many readers find themselves crying not just for the characters, but for the universal themes of loss and the fleeting nature of life.
Themes and Lessons
The Fault in Our Stars explores the inevitability of death and the question of what it means to live a meaningful life. Hazel and Augustus are both acutely aware of their mortality, but they strive to live life fully in the time they have. The novel is a meditation on the importance of love, friendship, and connection, even in the face of suffering.
Green also addresses the fear of being forgotten. Augustus, in particular, is obsessed with leaving behind a legacy, while Hazel is more concerned with the impact she has on those she loves. These differing perspectives on life and death add layers to the story, making it more than just a romance—it’s a story about the human desire to matter, to be remembered, and to find meaning in the time we have.
3. "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a deeply moving novel that explores themes of redemption, guilt, and the bond between fathers and sons. Set against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan, the story follows Amir, a privileged boy from Kabul, and his complicated relationship with Hassan, the son of his father's servant.
Impact and Emotional Depth
The Kite Runner is a novel that deals with some of the darkest aspects of human nature—betrayal, cowardice, and guilt. Amir’s betrayal of Hassan is a pivotal moment in the story, and the guilt he feels over this act haunts him for much of his life. Hosseini’s writing is beautiful and evocative, making the emotional pain of the characters feel incredibly real and relatable.
The novel is filled with moments that are both heart-wrenching and uplifting. The bond between Amir and Hassan, though fractured by betrayal, is one of the most poignant elements of the story. Their friendship is tested by societal class differences, personal failings, and the political upheaval of Afghanistan, yet it remains at the heart of the novel.
One of the most emotional aspects of The Kite Runner is Amir’s journey towards redemption. His return to Afghanistan to rescue Hassan’s son from a life of suffering is filled with danger, sacrifice, and a desperate need to make amends for his past mistakes. The novel’s exploration of atonement and forgiveness is powerful, and many readers find themselves moved to tears as Amir confronts his past and seeks a path toward redemption.
Themes and Lessons
The Kite Runner deals with themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of friendship and loyalty. The novel illustrates the ways in which one mistake can alter the course of a person’s life and how the weight of guilt can be an unbearable burden. Yet, it also shows that redemption is possible, even in the face of profound moral failings.
Hosseini also uses the novel to explore the impact of political upheaval on personal lives, as the Soviet invasion and rise of the Taliban drastically change the characters’ fates. Through Amir’s eyes, the reader witnesses the devastation of a nation and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of immense tragedy.
Conclusion
These three books—A Little Life, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Kite Runner—are guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. Each one explores deep emotional territory, from the trauma of abuse and the fragility of life, to the pain of betrayal and the search for redemption. They remind us of the complexities of human emotions, the depth of relationships, and the ways in which our pasts can shape our futures. For readers looking for stories that will make them cry and reflect on the beauty and sorrow of life, these books are essential reads.
Comments