Thursday, September 24, 2009

Booking Through Thursday - Pass the tissues

Today's Question:
What’s the saddest book you’ve read recently?
(Is any body getting bored with this series of “recent” questions? Because I’m having fun!)


My answer:

I'm a crier. Whether it's books, movies, television, even the odd commercial...if it's sad (or sometimes even if it's happy), I'll shed a tear. So, it's not surprising that there are a number of books could serve to answer this question.

My choice, however, is a book that surprised me in it's ability to cause tears to flow. Ethel & Ernest is a graphic novel by Ernest Briggs, of The Snowman fame. It tells his parent's story from their chance meeting in 1928, through marriage, child-rearing, the war, political squabbles, and on into their golden years. I'm very new to graphic novels (have only read a handful), and was very surprised to have this genre evoke such emotion. You can read my review of Ethel & Ernest here.

Visit today's BTT to see more responses.

20 comments:

  1. I read Ethel & Ernest earlier this year and also found it very touching. So much emotion in such few pages!

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  2. I can't remember if I've asked you before but have you read When the Wind Blows by Raymond Briggs? Also a graphic novel about an elderly couple it follows them through a nuclear holocaust and is very moving.

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  3. I'm a crier, too. My most memorable sob stories are The Time Traveler's Wife and Crow Lake.

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  4. I have not heard of this book.
    I, like you , am new to graphic novels. Just obtained French Milk from the library.
    I think that I will look into this book...Ethel & Ernest.

    Here is my BTT.

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  5. I'm not really a crier, but I tend to stay away from sad stories. Which made it a little hard coming up with an answer for today's question. Haven't heard of Ethel & Ernest before - sounds intriguing, though.

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  6. Never read that one. I like sad books..weird huh?

    http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/2009/09/booking-through-thursday-saddest-reads.html

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  7. I've been a sucker of tear-jerker, both books and movies. I've got Marley and Me and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Now I have to check this one out.

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  8. I have read very few graphic novels. I cry over puppies!

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  9. Never seen this one--looks good!

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  10. The older I get the more of a crier I have become. This one brought a tear to my eye as well JoAnn.

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  11. Nymeth - E &E was my biggest surprise of the year! I never suspected that a graphic novel could have that much of an emotional impact.

    Paperback Reader - You did recommend that one, but there are no copies in my library system :-(

    Softdrink - Oh, I cried a lot at The Time Traveler's Wife, too!

    ibeeeg - Can't wait to hear what you think of French Milk!

    jlshall - Ethel & Ernest is my favorite graphic novel, so far.

    anthonynorth - It was!

    verity - It was sad, and I still can't believe a graphic novel made me cry!

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  12. Diane - Not weird at all. I kind of like it when a book makes me cry.

    Gautami - I hope you can find it. Such a short read, but so much emotion!

    Matt - I cried buckets at Marley & Me. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is waiting on the shelf ...hopefully I'll get to it soon.

    Nise' - LOL! I cry over puppies, too.

    reviewsbylola - It is!

    Darlene - I'm crying more the older I get, too. Why do you suppose that is?

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  13. I have heard nothing but good things about this graphic novel - the drawings look so beautiful.

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  14. Hormones and empathy. Sort of like tea and sympathy lol! Sorry, I just made myself laugh there.

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  15. Samantha - This was an absolutely beautiful book!

    Darlene - LOL! Have a great weekend...

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  16. I have never heard of this graphic novel but I do love reading them. I'll have to check this one out for usre!

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  17. Staci - Hope you like this one as much as I did. It really is something special!

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