Earlier, I wrote a blog post about movies that often bring on the waterworks. But what about books that tug on the heartstrings? (And the tear ducts.) Today's post will list a few of those notorious novels.
Note that this post will contain book spoilers, so blog readers beware.
'The Hunger Games' series by Suzanne Collins
A dystopian YA series, filled with the deaths of about a zillion people. Blood stains the pages, along with the tears of saddened readers. The story introduces characters, you grow attached to some of them, and then horrible things befall them.
The final installment is the worst to me, because Prim, dear sweet Prim, is killed. Everything else, I got through. But when Prim's cat is wondering where she is, and Katniss shouts that her sister is dead, she's not coming back, that's the part that finally brings on the tears.
The final installment is the worst to me, because Prim, dear sweet Prim, is killed. Everything else, I got through. But when Prim's cat is wondering where she is, and Katniss shouts that her sister is dead, she's not coming back, that's the part that finally brings on the tears.
'Divergent' series by Veronica Roth
The most evil way ever to end a book, and especially a book series. The author should be chained in a dungeon, with rats nibbling at her, as punishment for the horrible things she did to her readers, and to a main character.
So, we have the main character, Tris. The story is told from her point of view, and a lot happens during said story. She falls in love, she faces a lot of danger, she fights for the truth and what's right. In the final book, the story switches between Tris and her boyfriend Four. Then, towards the end, awful things happen. Her parents die. But that's not even the worst part. The writer, Veronica Roth... killed off the main character. You're thinking, "No, it can't be! She wouldn't actually do that, would she?"
But she did. Tris died. The final chapters described Four's grief, and it was so sad... (grabs Kleenex)
So, we have the main character, Tris. The story is told from her point of view, and a lot happens during said story. She falls in love, she faces a lot of danger, she fights for the truth and what's right. In the final book, the story switches between Tris and her boyfriend Four. Then, towards the end, awful things happen. Her parents die. But that's not even the worst part. The writer, Veronica Roth... killed off the main character. You're thinking, "No, it can't be! She wouldn't actually do that, would she?"
But she did. Tris died. The final chapters described Four's grief, and it was so sad... (grabs Kleenex)
'Harry Potter' series by JK Rowling
This series was also listed in my post about films that induce tears. But come on, some of the scenes were so painful. Beloved characters dying, for example, and the grief that followed. Friends, family...
The last book was especially intense, because so many characters died in that book. Good characters, characters that the readers were attached to. Then there was the scene where Harry learned he had to sacrifice himself. You're reading about what Harry's thinking in those moments, and... (bawls) He was frightened, he didn't want to die, and he had to find the courage to face Voldemort. Then the others briefly thought Harry was dead, not knowing he was faking until the right moment. Ah, and the bravery so many of them had, like Neville, who was really bold and awesome in the last book.
The last book was especially intense, because so many characters died in that book. Good characters, characters that the readers were attached to. Then there was the scene where Harry learned he had to sacrifice himself. You're reading about what Harry's thinking in those moments, and... (bawls) He was frightened, he didn't want to die, and he had to find the courage to face Voldemort. Then the others briefly thought Harry was dead, not knowing he was faking until the right moment. Ah, and the bravery so many of them had, like Neville, who was really bold and awesome in the last book.
'A Monster Calls' by Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd
In a blog post I read by Hannah Heath, she mentioned a young adult novel that sounded interesting. It was about a teenage boy named Conor, and his coming to grips with his mother's impending death. It explores themes of grief, denial, anger, guilt, depression, and making readers cry. A lot. Multiple times. My handkerchief was damp with tears.
'The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning' by John Flanagan
Once upon a time, a writer did a terrible thing. He had the main character finally marry their true love... then killed said true love. Will is brokenhearted from the tragedy, and sinks into deep depression and bitterness. It isn't until his best friend's daughter, to whom he's practically an uncle, comes to stay with him, that things start getting better. With the job of teaching Maddie to be a Ranger, he has something to focus on other than his obsession with tracking down his wife's killers.
But there are so many moments that threaten to bring tears. He misses his wife so much, and is hurting deeply. At one point, Maddie overhears him talking to his dog about how hard it's been without her. Then there's a scene where he thanks Maddie, because he hasn't really laughed in a year and a half. And towards the end of the book, Maddie gets injured while saving Will, and he's terrified that she might die. He'd already gone through so much, and he couldn't bear it if he lost Maddie, too.
'Love You Forever' by Robert Munsch
The last entry on our list isn't a series or standalone novel, but a picture book about a young boy and his mother. The child sometimes gets into mischief and can be a handful. But every night after he falls asleep, she comes into his room, cradling him and singing a lullaby that states she'll love him forever.
The story shows him growing up, and her continuing the nightly ritual. When he becomes an adult and moves out, she still does this occasionally, the illustration showing a middle-aged woman with her grown son in her arms.
Time goes on, and she's eventually a frail, elderly woman. Her son comes to visit her, and she tries to sing the lullaby, but is too weak. Her son then takes her into his arms and sings to her instead, the roles reversed. After her implied death, the story ends with the son cradling his newborn daughter and singing the same lullaby that his mother sang to him.
As a young child, I read this and the end made me emotional. I picked it up as an adult, and the final pages made me cry. Writing the above paragraph just now made me teary-eyed. The powerful love between the mother and son just kills me every time. In fact, this book has a reputation for making people's eyes wet.
Once upon a time, a writer did a terrible thing. He had the main character finally marry their true love... then killed said true love. Will is brokenhearted from the tragedy, and sinks into deep depression and bitterness. It isn't until his best friend's daughter, to whom he's practically an uncle, comes to stay with him, that things start getting better. With the job of teaching Maddie to be a Ranger, he has something to focus on other than his obsession with tracking down his wife's killers.
But there are so many moments that threaten to bring tears. He misses his wife so much, and is hurting deeply. At one point, Maddie overhears him talking to his dog about how hard it's been without her. Then there's a scene where he thanks Maddie, because he hasn't really laughed in a year and a half. And towards the end of the book, Maddie gets injured while saving Will, and he's terrified that she might die. He'd already gone through so much, and he couldn't bear it if he lost Maddie, too.
'Love You Forever' by Robert Munsch
The last entry on our list isn't a series or standalone novel, but a picture book about a young boy and his mother. The child sometimes gets into mischief and can be a handful. But every night after he falls asleep, she comes into his room, cradling him and singing a lullaby that states she'll love him forever.
The story shows him growing up, and her continuing the nightly ritual. When he becomes an adult and moves out, she still does this occasionally, the illustration showing a middle-aged woman with her grown son in her arms.
Time goes on, and she's eventually a frail, elderly woman. Her son comes to visit her, and she tries to sing the lullaby, but is too weak. Her son then takes her into his arms and sings to her instead, the roles reversed. After her implied death, the story ends with the son cradling his newborn daughter and singing the same lullaby that his mother sang to him.
As a young child, I read this and the end made me emotional. I picked it up as an adult, and the final pages made me cry. Writing the above paragraph just now made me teary-eyed. The powerful love between the mother and son just kills me every time. In fact, this book has a reputation for making people's eyes wet.
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