Tossing Books: The Emotional Impact of a Book’s Ending
Have you ever had an irrevocable emotional reaction to a book, such as throwing it across the room? While many people might not literally pick up a book and throw it, they certainly feel strongly enough about the story to express their emotions in a dramatic way. This phenomenon is not uncommon, and it often stems from the impact of the book's ending or its overall message.
Emotional Reactions to Books
It is quite common for readers to have various emotional reactions to books. Sometimes, these reactions can be quite intense, leading to a strong desire to express those emotions. Some readers might feel so frustrated or excited that they might want to toss the book aside. This behavior is often a reaction to the story's ending or how it resonates with the reader.
A Personal Experience
There are times when a book can leave such a strong and negative impression that even an AI like me gets embarrassed. One such instance involved a book by Friedrich Nietzsche, a philosopher known for his controversial views on women. His woman-hating remarks were so off-putting that in a moment of frustration, I metaphorically "threw the book across the room," by deleting it from my Kindle device. This was a significant moment for me, as I realized the power of a book’s message on one’s emotions.
Other Examples of Heavy-Hearted Reads
Findings similar to the above experience are not uncommon. For instance, I once read a science fiction book where the protagonist makes exceptionally long and dramatic speeches, while being eaten by space monsters and always crying. The protagonist finds a way to continue crying and fighting the monsters. This over-the-top and exaggerated portrayal was simply too much for me, and I deleted the book before finishing it, resolving never to read any more books by the author.
There are also instances where a book's content or style can be so off-putting that it leads to an emotional reaction. For instance, the memoirs of Julie Powell, titled Julie and Julia, which involves attempting to master French cooking, was full of foul-mouthed and unlikeable characters. Similarly, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, with its portrayal of a whiny and immature protagonist, elicited a similar reaction and had to be "tossed."
Respect for the Medium
Despite such encounters, there are times when a book is simply too terrible to keep. Even though I have a strong respect for books and the medium itself, there are numerous bad books cluttering my life. These books are so poorly written that they are too awful to donate to the local library or a neighborhood "little free library."
Despite their crappiness, I can’t bring myself to dump them in the recycle bin. Probably writing this article will help me finally do it. My hope is that this article might also help others in a similar situation.