Recommend some fiction books about dysfunctional black families.

Another theme is the impact of racism. Racism from the outside world seeps into the family, causing internal strife. For example, it can make family members feel inferior or lead to different reactions among them, some becoming bitter while others try to resist in different ways. This often creates a dysfunctional dynamic within the family. It's not just about the external discrimination but how the family copes or fails to cope with it. And this can be seen in many works that explore black families dealing with dysfunction.

One great book is 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls. It's a memoir that reads like fiction. It tells the story of Walls' upbringing in a very dysfunctional family, with an alcoholic father and a mother who was often neglectful yet also had her own brand of eccentricity.

Often, there's a sense of chaos. For example, in 'The Glass Castle', the family is constantly on the move due to the father's inability to hold a job and his erratic behavior. This creates an unstable environment for the children.

Sure. 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver is a disturbing yet thought - provoking fictional account of a mother dealing with her son's heinous acts and reflecting on their family's complex and dysfunctional dynamics. It delves deep into the psychological aspects of family relationships. Also, 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger can be considered in a way as it shows Holden Caulfield's struggle within his family environment and his disillusionment with the world which is related to the family's influence on him.

One common theme is the struggle for identity. In a dysfunctional family, characters often have a hard time figuring out who they are because of the chaos and abnormal family dynamics. For example, in 'The Glass Castle', Jeannette Walls has to constantly re - evaluate herself in relation to her family's strange values and behaviors. Another theme is the cycle of abuse. Many of these books show how abuse, whether it's physical, emotional or psychological, gets passed down from one generation to the next. 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' touches on this as the mother tries to understand if there was something in their family upbringing that led to Kevin's actions.

One story could be a teenager in a dysfunctional family where the parents are constantly arguing. The teen, feeling neglected, starts acting out online. Other kids in the school then start cyberbullying the teen, spreading rumors about the family situation. This makes the teen feel even more isolated.

Sure. One story could be about a family where the parents are constantly arguing. The father is an alcoholic and the mother is a workaholic to avoid being at home. The children feel neglected and start to act out in school. One of the kids, a teenage boy, gets into trouble with the law because he's looking for attention in all the wrong places.

There is 'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eugenides. The Stephanides family has a complex and somewhat dysfunctional history that unfolds over generations. The story deals with issues like gender identity and family secrets, which are often associated with dysfunctional family dynamics.

Often, the lack of support within the family is depicted. For instance, when a family member is facing a difficult situation, instead of getting help from the family, they are met with indifference or even criticism. This lack of support is a typical characteristic of dysfunctional families in short stories.

Power imbalances are also common. There might be a dominant family member who controls everything and doesn't allow others to have a say. This can prevent the family from functioning as a healthy unit. In a family where the grandmother has all the power, she might make decisions that are not in the best interest of the younger generations, causing friction within the family.