Disturbing books project update - am I still in one piece?

[@imorca1994]

Honestly, I think your review of Hogg is one of your very best pieces you've made. The research you applied within it was though provoking. It convinced me to consider that there may be merit in such ahorrifying narrative.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you. I also think it’s probably my best video

[@whatzittooya1696]

Agreed!! And not a single cut in the video (in a world where many creators cut every 10-30 seconds... does anyone else notice this?). Incredibly impressive, to say the least.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I think a lot of creators are uncomfortably with umms and pauses - I have come to embrace them!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The only one I know from the list is ‘My Dark Vanessa’. Bless you for reading the books. I’d be broken after a few pages.

[@ldillaway89]

If you’re interested in more disturbing plays, I recommend the complete works of Sarah Kane. She wrote 5 plays before her death and they are all quite disturbing, but I’d say Blasted and Cleansed are probably the most disturbing. Cleansed is easily the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen on stage.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you - I'll check her work out

[@ciaran.vallely]

Loved 1974 so much I immediately went on to '77. I'll have to keep going but needed a little break first

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I'll definitely be reading more of them

[@lawrenceflater3300]

I'd add Charles Maclean's "The Watcher" to your reading list. Part horror, part psychological madness and total mind-f*ck. With one of the most disturbing openings in fiction.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I've not heard of that, but reading about it definitely has me interested. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@AsFlowingWater]

What you say about the lack of connection and how you felt about Crash was super interesting. I felt the same way, but it had an entirely different effect on me! The fact that I felt entirely unable to empathise with the characters in Crash felt deliberate and jarring, and it made me feel pretty disturbed, more than more graphic books did. I guess I just think it's fascinating how what's disturbing to some can have no effect on others.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

That's very interesting and I can certainly see how that might work. I do think "disturbing" is a very personal thing

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

The most disturbing book I've read recently is definitely Juan Valencia's Poking Holes. Of the books you mentioned I've only read Crash and My Dark Vanessa.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Juan's book was really something

[@kevinsbookcase59]

Thank you for the new recommendations!!! I have a couple of titles, but haven't read them.. yet. I have read "Story of the Eye" & "Woom" & "Gone to See the River Man" & "The Room" (I can blame you for these 😂)

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Ha! sorry not sorry

[@kimotee5892]

New to your channel and am a big fan of disturbing literature so really enjoyed this video! Tempted to read all the books you mentioned. I love Haunted though personally Guts had little impact on me, whereas Speaking Bitterness, Dog Years and Hot Potting did. Though by far the most disturbing to me and my favourite short story is Exodus, it lives rent free in my mind. As someone else has mentioned, definitely recommend Sarah Kane who is my absolute favourite playwright, her work is compelling but extreme. Other plays I’d definitely recommend would be Shopping & Fucking by Mark Ravenhill and Saved by Edward Bond, though I did find Saved a bit more hard to read.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thanks for the recommendations - I'll look into those! Hope you enjoy the channel, it's not wall to wall disturbing I'm afraid

[@kevinreese740]

I only recently discovered your channel and am enjoying it very much. I was wondering if you've ever read The Brave by Gregory McDonald. It's been years, but I remember it being one of the most viscerally affecting and disturbing reading experiences I've ever had.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Glad you’re enjoying the channel! Someone else mentioned that a while ago and I’ve been (unsuccessfully) trying to track down a reasonably priced copy of it in English. It’s easy to find in German for some reason!

[@morticiaaddams9777]

Great video Olly. I am finding so many cool books and my library seems to have a lot of them yaya! The Cement garden is fabulous BTW

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Libraries are the best! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@petra2676]

I totally agree with you on 1974. It is one of the most disturbing books I read, It haunted me quite a while. Do you know Anima by Wajdi Mouawad? I think this novel is both strange and disturbing and it has a truly unique concept.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I hadn't heard of Anima but it sounds very interesting - thanks for the recommendation!

[@ShannonsChannel]

Yes, we chatted about Palahniuk's Guts, didn't we? 😆 My Dark Vanessa is on my wish list.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

LOL it was so gross

[@BookBlather]

I started reading Haunted years ago, not sure why I never finished it. Guts is one of the most uncomfortable stories I’ve ever read. Supposedly, when he used to read it aloud to audiences prior to publication, a number of people fainted. Curious to see what you think of Woom… that one is a bit nuts. My Dark Vanessa is really good. Planning to read the Groomer.

[@ShannonsChannel]

Yes, Guts is memorable, lol. Yup - people passed out hearing him read it, lol

[@CriminOllyBlog]

The fainting thing doesn't surprise me - it really is an extreme story

[@JessicaSzempruch]

Birdman is a great book. It is profound, uncanny and bleak rather than truly disturbing; still, I think you will enjoy it. Mo Hayder has a writing style unlike any other.

[@lyndaslittlelibrary]

I read this recently, I would definitely agree with it being more bleak than disturbing. I thought it was a great read either way.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I'm definitely interested to try it

[@ctcumins2805]

i have read all mo hayders books and they are all great. she passed way too soon

[@CriminOllyBlog]

@@ctcumins2805 Yeah, her death was very sad

[@ctcumins2805]

@@CriminOllyBlog the devil of nanking is the best one im about to read it for the 3rd time.

[@lyndaslittlelibrary]

I'm currently reading False Witness by Karin Slaughter. It's the fourteenth of her novels I've read and while this one has some deeply disturbing subject matter, Pretty Girls might still be the most disturbing one so far (but hey, I've got about 80 pages left in this one so we'll see.) I read the infamous Guts in high school and it haunts (no pun intended) me to this day. That was like 15 years ago, what an insane story.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah that story really is disgusting. I have really enjoyed all the Karin Slaughter I've read, so looking forward to that one a lot

[@alysland4340]

Karin Slaughter's books are really good. Great writer. Mind blowing stories.

[@brabel0401]

I’m a Ian McEwan fan and I remember finding The Cement Garden very disturbing. I think it’s the only book of his I didn’t keep. To be fair, I read it before starting to read books with more disturbing content more frequently so it’s possible I wouldn’t find it as bad nowadays. The movie is quite faithful to the novel and therefore fairly disturbing too.

[@admiralapathy]

I never see it on lists of disturbing books, but if we're reading Cormac McCarthy I would suggest Outer Dark. While I enjoyed Child of God, I didn't find it very disturbing, but Outer Dark was one that stayed with me for a long time after

[@parazatico9030]

I'd recommend 'Hawksmoor' by Peter Ackroyd. Unsettling more than disturbing perhaps, but one that stays with you.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I'll have to take a look - I've never read Ackroyd

[@parazatico9030]

It is a deeply strange book. I heard an interview with the author where he said that it seemed to write itself. One caveat, though, is that quite a lot of it is written in (very convincing) seventeenth-century style prose, (quite a lot of 'shaddowes', 'darknesse' and so forth), so if that gives you the horrors (in a bad way) maybe one to avoid.@@CriminOllyBlog

[@MrSeedi76]

Oh, Kristopher Triana right at the start, didn't expect that. I found "Body Art" pretty good. So over the top however that it can hardly be described as disturbing. But there is definitely some sick stuff in it.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I might give that one a try

[@expressoric]

I haven't read "Crash" for very many years. I am a fan of Ballard, so I wouldn't say I didn't like it or that it wasn't disturbing, but I find his 1960s novels and later ones such as "Concrete Island", to be more memorable. They are stranger and more haunting. Other novels I'd say are disturbing, are Philip K. Dick's "A Maze of Death" and Bob Silverberg's "The Book of Skulls".

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I can't remember if I've read The Maze of Death - I got through so much PKD in my teens its become a bit of a blur

[@expressoric]

@@CriminOllyBlog It's his creepiest book, the ones about people getting murdered and other weird happenings on an island planet, but of course, things aren't what they seem.

[@anotherbibliophilereads]

I have 1974 on my Kindle from the Library so I have to read it in the next few weeks. I have The Kindly Ones too.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I'll be interested to see what you make of 1974 - definite Derek Raymond vibes

[@jamessmithfitness309]

I would add If You Tell by Gregg Olsen to your disturbing books list. This is actually a true crime book but reads like a horror/thriller with a lot of dialog. The book follows the story of Shelly Knotek. Shelly abused her daughters for years and "Friends" that Shelly made. These 'Friends" came to live with the Knoteks.' The author includes statements and quotes from Shelly's daughters and other family members. If You Tell reads like a novel with a bunch of twists.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

That does sound horrific

[@heatherkay3046]

Lovely to see May Lietz mentioned here, she is one of my absolute favourite voices in the transgressive media scene, can’t wait to hear your thoughts on fluids

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Looking forward to reading it!

[@alexalpitsis2131]

I just finished reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and while it is in no way a horror book, it is incredibly disturbing at points and the most emotional book I've ever read. Would love to hear your thoughts on it. Definitely thinks it ticks the boxes of what you consider disturbing

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I have read that one and thought it was deeply, deeply moving (heartbreaking in fact), but I don't remember finding it that disturbing. Amazing book though

[@johncollins3156]

I love Prototype by Brian Hodge.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Looking forward to it!

[@rainroom16]

Hey Olly, I was wondering if you could make a video on your favourite werewolf books? I have Moon Dance by Somtow, The Wolf's Hour by McCammon and The Hungry Moon by Campbell. Surely there's more good/great stuff out there. Thanks!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I've actually read very few! Moon Dance is great and I think I read The Wolf's Hour years ago. A more recent one I liked was The Forsaken Boy by Troy Tradup

[@rainroom16]

​@@CriminOllyBlog Thanks Olly! I'll check out The Forsaken Boy. Ta!

[@sophiaisabelle027]

Keep up the good work, Olly. God bless you.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thank you!

[@MrSeedi76]

I couldn't finish "My absolute darling" which has a slightly similar subject as "The end of Alice", which I did actually finish. My wife however had the stomach to finish "My absolute darling". I thought just the first few scenes were more disturbing and graphic than anything in "End of Alice".

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah My Absolute Darling started horrifically, I can see why you quit. After that I found it got less disturbing

[@DDB168]

Is Chuck Palahniuk a good example of his first published novel was his best ? All down hill after that ?

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Well I've only read two, but based on that sample, yes!

[@eriebeverly]

Onward and sideways? I'll once again lobby for Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy. Regardless of the disturbing factor it's a book I think you'd like with strong writing, messy characters, folk horror elements, and a 1970s Welsh setting.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I don't remember you mentioning that before - it does look interesting

[@rresmini]

From this list I've read 1974, the room, geek love, haunted, child of god, crash, king in yellow, birdman, cement garden and prototype. 1974, king in yellow, the room being my favorites here. Agree with your Haunted take... opening short is most memorable (and gross). The Hodge book I grabbed back when the Dell/Abyss line was cranking. It never struck me as disturbing more as something along the likes Rex Miller's stuff from the same time period.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I need to try the Rex Miller stuff again, I did read a couple back then but don't remember much about them

[@rresmini]

What I read, there isn't much to remember other than the detective and his rogue's gallery of serial killers and gory mayhem.

[@ctcumins2805]

have you read the Spite House. the end is not up to the rest of the book interested to see your views!

[@Netty_Noo]

Super interesting video Olly - really engaging and absolutely on point with some of the books you mentioned . Having just read Gone To See The Riverman , I was more disturbed by the fact I didn’t find it disturbing lol 😂 So I was very glad to watch your take on this too . I’d be very interested in hearing your thoughts on a book I picked up last year called The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark , its very short and I thought it enjoyable but also disturbing. I feel exactly the same as you with regards to how things disturb me , however I just couldn’t put myself through HoGG ! 😂

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thanks Netty! Glad I wasn't alone with Riverman!

[@zacharycunningham1789]

If you’d like to add another play to the list, Buried Child by Sam Shepard is outstanding and fits with this theme.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thanks - I'll look into that

[@heidifogelberg3544]

The Story of O is supposed to be disturbing? Hmm. Here are 3 recommendations: By the Lake of Sleeping Children, by Luis Alberto Urrea. Whores for Gloria by William T Vollman. And 2 short stories by Gemma Files - "The Emperor's Old Bones", and "each thing I show you is a piece of my death".

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Thanks Heidi, I'll check those out

[@M-J]

I've read Crash, My Dark Vanessa, and The Cement Garden and all have lingered a bit with me. - 📚MJ

[@CriminOllyBlog]

My Dark Vanessa in particular sounds great

[@M-J]

@@CriminOllyBlogGreat, but on a disturbing level.

[@davemansell9309]

No surprise The End Of Alice is on the list. Vile subject matter, you can almost feel the sickness coming out of the page.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It;'s definitely one that came up again and again in the comments

[@Adeodatus100]

"Haunted" is one of the few books I've avoided because I was warned about it, by someone whose tolerance for disturbing literature is rather more robust than mine.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

It's really that first story that has the punch. But it is quite a punch

[@georgebennett1242]

I read Birdman recently. You'll love it, I think.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Good to know! Thank you

[@ladamora7198]

If it's available in the UK you should read Seven Days by Patrick Senecal. A great revenge story.

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

My Dark Vanessa is a good read, it is kind of a Lolita story but from the perspective of the victim and it connects to the metoo movement.

[@elliyo4286]

For the rating system, maybe just two graphs, an x-axis and a y-axis, most to least disturbing and from best to worst written or enjoyment :) (yes, this is all that remains from studying physics for 7 semesters).

[@CriminOllyBlog]

That would work I think - thank you!

[@gordonwilson2533]

How about The Violent bear it away, Flannery 'O Connor, maybe needs a warning for some people, maybe watch the film Wise blood then read the book then Violent bear it away

[@CriminOllyBlog]

I've never read O'Connor, but did watch and really enjoy Wise Blood years ago

[@AnnNovella]

Were you ever? 😅

[@johnnythepillpopper1974]

Read Santa Steps Out….if you need a description let me know, don’t remember the author

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Found it - but it seems to be super expensive - I'll keep my eyes peeled for an affordable copy

[@johnnythepillpopper1974]

@@CriminOllyBlog you want a description?

[@CriminOllyBlog]

@@johnnythepillpopper1974 nope, I’ll hang out until I can find a copy

[@johnnythepillpopper1974]

@@CriminOllyBlog very well

[@casey4415]

❤️

[@wendyvilla2904]

💚🖤

[@benjaminjcklin-wilks7954]

Ritualistic human sacrifice by c.v hunt

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Ah that's one I've been meaning to read - I enjoyed her book Cockblock a lot

[@WestAussieDiamondArtReads]

Are you just reading fiction for this project? If not, i have a non-fiction recommendation for you if you're interested.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah just fiction :)

[@audradriscoll503]

My Dark Vanessa was really well written. The Groomer was total garbage, in my opinion.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Yeah, I read another book by the author of The Groomer and it was pretty terrible

[@WilliamsLibrary]

It's all right! 🤣

[@bobcabot]

no offense and i know it´s not funny but many of the most disturbing books you mentioned or read are reminding very much of real cases i heard of or videos of cases i´ve seen, even here on KZbin ( a few years ago there were no restrictions yet and you could see the real shit here...

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Get that, but for me the power of books is their ability to help us make a real connection with characters going through terrible things. Good books help us experience and understand these things rather than just watching them

[@paulfillingham2958]

Interesting that a lot of the books seem to be written by women.

[@yaeli_i_guess]

i don't mean to attack you, i just find it sad that you pointing it out means male writers is the default. you know? kind of like that ruth bader ginsburg quote about wanting 9 women in the supreme court.

[@paulfillingham2958]

@@yaeli_i_guess I didn’t mean it like that I meant because they were all disturbing books And I don’t mean that women shouldn’t write disturbing literature. I guess I’m just highlighting that over the years things have changed. I’m an old man and when I was in my 20’s these kind of books by men or women would be very rare, and for women even more so,