Often, these books have complex characters. For example, in 'The Glass Castle', Jeannette Walls herself is a complex character who has to grow up in a family where basic needs are sometimes not met due to her parents' issues. Another characteristic is that they usually show the long - term effects of trauma. In 'A Little Life', the character's past family trauma continues to haunt him throughout his life, affecting his relationships and mental health. And they often involve family secrets. In 'We Were the Mulvaneys', the family secret of the traumatic event changes the family dynamics completely.
One great book is 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls. It tells the story of her chaotic and traumatic family life growing up, with a mother who was an artist and a father who was an alcoholic. Another is 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. It delves deep into the lives of four friends, with one of them having a very difficult family past filled with abuse and neglect. 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini also touches on family trauma as it shows the complex relationship between the main character and his father against the backdrop of the Afghan war and cultural upheaval.
Often, they feature characters with deep emotional wounds. For example, in many trauma fiction books, the characters might have trouble forming relationships or trusting others because of past traumas.
One characteristic is that they often focus on the physical manifestations of trauma. For example, in 'The Body Keeps the Score', it shows how trauma can lead to things like chronic pain or changes in body posture. Another characteristic is that these books usually have a character who is on a journey of self - discovery and healing. They explore how the body and the mind interact during the process of dealing with trauma. In fictional works like 'Speak', the main character has to come to terms with what has happened to her body and find ways to move forward. Also, these books may use vivid descriptions of the body's sensations to convey the impact of trauma. It helps the reader to better understand the complex relationship between the body and trauma.
Often, they have a strong emotional undertone. For example, in 'A Child Called It', the pain and suffering of the main character are palpable throughout the book. The language used is very descriptive to convey the depth of the trauma.
Often, they have complex characters with deep - seated emotional wounds. For example, in 'A Little Life', the main characters are haunted by their pasts.
One common theme is self - discovery. In books about running, like 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running', the act of running often leads the character to learn more about themselves. In trauma fiction, this self - discovery can come from facing the past traumas. For example, in 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', Charlie discovers a lot about himself as he deals with his past traumas.
Another is 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. This novel delves deep into the traumas of the main characters, especially Jude, who has endured physical and sexual abuse in his past. It's a heart - wrenching exploration of how trauma can shape a person's life.
These books often detail the psychological and emotional impacts of trauma. In 'A Little Life', the descriptions of Jude's experiences make readers aware of how childhood trauma can shape a person's entire life. They also show different ways people cope with trauma, which can be educational for readers.
One such book could be 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Bessel van der Kolk. It delves deep into how trauma is stored in the body and how it affects a person's mental and physical well - being. It's a great read for understanding the connection between trauma and the body.