Once again, I’m joining in again with Feature & Follow hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Each week they post a prompt, which you respond to, and then spend some time visiting and following other blogs (the following is an important part). Feel free to join in – it’s fun and a great way to meet other bloggers.
This weeks prompt is…
What was the first book that moved you? Scared you, made you cry, disturbed your view of the world?
Normally, I would answer this with the first book that really scared me. Unfortunately, I talked about this last week in the Feature and Follow as it is also one of the only books I re-read regularly – Dracula (I am if nothing else consistent in my picks I guess).
This leaves a problem as most of the books I read are crime fiction, mysteries, or thrillers – which means there aren’t many book I’ve read that have made me cry or left with a disturbed view of the world (though there are some that have really made me think and view the world differently as a result). So, I have really had to wrack my brain to think of an answer of this. What I’ve come up with is the only book I can think of that really made me cry – and it was a long time ago.
I feel like there should be a drum roll now but here it is…Terms of Endearment by Larry McMurty which came out in 1975 and I probably read in the early 80’s when I was a teenager and so prone to bouts of emotion. I haven’t read it since and I’ve never seen the movie and, if I’m honest, I don’t really remember much about it other than it choked me up from pretty much the beginning. Reading the description on Goodreads I’m not surprised…
In this acclaimed novel that inspired the Academy Award-winning motion picture, Larry McMurtry created two unforgettable characters who won the hearts of readers and moviegoers everywhere: Aurora Greenway and her daughter Emma. Aurora is the kind of woman who makes the whole world orbit around her, including a string of devoted suitors. Widowed and overprotective of her daughter, Aurora adapts at her own pace until life sends two enormous challenges her way: Emma’s hasty marriage and subsequent battle with cancer. Terms of Endearment is the Oscar-winning story of a memorable mother and her feisty daughter and their struggle to find the courage and humour to live through life’s hazards — and to love each other as never before.
Just reading this I’m not surprised I started crying – and it may be one of the reasons I now stick with less emotional, more murderous, fare. What about you – what book has scared you, made you cry or changed your view of the world.
Emma
One Readers Thoughts 
It sounds a lovely book, Emma – though it’s one I haven’t had the pleasure of reading… As for me – the last book that left me with a tear in my eye was the awesome Miranda and Caliban. I don’t cry easily these days, so that is big deal for me:). Have a great week-end!
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Crying at books is a big deal I think…especially for people that read a lot.
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Oh, I agree – it doesn’t happen all that often to me these days.
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I loved Terms of Endearment, and have the movie. I still cry every time I watch it! As if I’m surprised by the sadness that happens, even though I’ve seen it around 20 times. LOL.
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So it’s not just me then. Definitely one for the heart strings!
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I don’t like to read books that make me cry so if they do it always catches me off guard and I am like…aaaah I hate crying. 🙂
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Me too. I am not one for being sentimental.
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Although I’ve heard of Terms of Endearment, I’ve not yet read it. One for the wishlist.
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I remember it being one of those books you had to read way back when (showing my age). It does seem to have got consistently good reviews on goodreads so imagine it’s stood the test of time?
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I don’t cry with a lot of books but occasionally one will get me. 🙂 Letters from Skye comes to mind- the end of that one got me a tad emotional. And I remember hearing Terms of Endearment was a really good movie, but I’ve never seen it or read the book.
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Not heard of Letters from Skye. I will check it out. I think I cry more at to and movies than books if I’m honest.
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[…] read – Quieter Than Killing by Sarah Hilary – talked about the only book I remember making me cry And read two books, both of which I enjoyed and should get reviews up for this week (links to […]
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I have a vague remembrance of this movie, but I don’t remember many details at all. I didn’t even realize it was a book first. I cry at books all the time, though, so pinpointing the first book that made me cry would be nearly impossible. I guess one that stands out as an early one is Bridge to Terabithia.
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It’s such an old book, it made me feel old just writing about it. I’ve not read your book, though I have heard good things about it. I may test my tear ducts to see if they work by reading it 😀
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