What is the saddest book you’ve ever read?
When I saw this topic, two books popped into my mind. The first was the Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, and the second was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. On the surface, they’re completely different stories, but the more I thought about them, the more I found similarities between them.
In both books, the main adult characters change for the worse due to the circumstances of their childhood. Erik, the Phantom, suffered neglect and abuse from his parents and others because he was born with certain abnormalities. In Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Lily and other girls endured torturous foot binding and psychological abuse because they were born female. By the time characters in both stories reached adulthood, the damage had been done. Erik had just about lost his humanity, and Lily became nearly as cruel and judgmental as the adults who had abused her.
In the end, Erik and Lily were isolated, even from those few who had genuine feelings for them.
Though the Phantom of the Opera is considered a horror story and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan historical fiction, the ideas of hating those who are different or abuse even on a cultural level are both real issues that are represented in these sad, emotional stories.
What are the saddest books other blog hop participants have ever read? Stop by Long and Short Reviews to find out.
Both of your picks were excellent. I never would have thought to compare those characters, but they definitely do have a lot in common.
Thank you, Lydia!
Good picks. You’re right. They are sad.
Good choices. I’ve read Phantom, but long enough ago that I’d forgotten it.
Thank you, Megan!
Thank you, Tanith. Phantom is one of those books I keep re-reading over the years.
Phantom of the Opera is a truly sad book. But I haven’t heard of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, looks like something I should add to my TBR! :-E
Both of them are so sad that I really couldn’t choose between them. Thank you for stopping by, Lex!