The beautiful thing about literature is that it captures all variations of emotions. We like stories because they connect us with characters and circumstances we can only dream of. But sometimes it goes beyond our imagination and makes the impact significantly deeper – some books linger long after we have turned the last page. The Week asked some readers about that book that stirred their emotions. From tear-jerkers to psychedelic wonders, here are their answers.
Palpasa Cafe by Narayan Wagle
Swastik Pandey
I haven’t cried over a book yet but there have been a couple of reads that have moved me emotionally. I remember the days I was going through Palpasa Cafe in particular. At the time, I had the habit of going to Nagpokhari to read my books and Palpasa Cafe was so profound that I found myself sitting there for hours on end and contemplating all that I had read.
The way the writer had tied the facts with his characters was really engrossing. It definitely made me more conscious about the 10-year-long Maoists insurgency in Nepal. It had me interested to the extent that I began looking for records, attending documentaries and reading accounts of the period. Even later on, whenever I met people who had experienced the insurgency first hand, I’d always think of the book. While I’m traveling, I have developed a habit of recalling the events that had happened during the insurgency in that particular area.
No book has touched me so much. A wartime story features romance with such grace and intricacy that it really enhances the power of words. I felt motivated to start writing after reading this book.
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Reeti KC
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Some people might scoff at my choice but it the strength of the female protagonist in this book that really got me. Safe Haven is different compared to other Sparks’ stories. This book has all the trademarks of a Sparks’ novel – a love story, friendship, and secrets – but it is darker than the rest of his works, and there is an element of suspense that surprised me a lot. Here, Katie, the protagonist, is a victim of domestic abuse and the story begins as she tries to escape from it. When you follow her journey through all the struggles and obstacles as she tries to adapt to a new life and come to terms with her emotions, you can’t help root for her.
There were instances when I found myself wondering how I would fare if I were in her place. The abusive husband was downright terrifying and her circumstances were dire, so whenever she took a brave step, it got really emotional. Also, by the way, I absolutely didn’t expect the book to end in the way it did.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Piyush Bisht
I got hold of this classic when I was a kid. It was around the age you would expect somebody to come across Alice in Wonderland and since then I have obviously read more books, but whenever somebody talks about stories that have had a big impact on them emotionally, this Carroll book is always the first to come to my mind.
The first chapter is my favorite. Bored of her storybook that was “without pictures or conversations”, we find the young and imaginative Alice follow a hasty hare underground and then it begins. She comes face-to-face with some of the strangest adventures and most fantastic characters in all of literature. I really enjoyed the dystopian nature of the book and I simply love how chaotic it is. I remember being completely consumed by this psychedelic world and I have yet to come across another book like it.
What’s more, each time I read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, I discover new perspectives and points that the writer was trying to express. This is just one of those books that holds different meanings at different phases of your life. It’s always such a joy to go through it and the fact that I discovered it so young makes me emotionally attached to it.
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Indira Rana
Whenever somebody asks me what their next read should be, this is the first book I recommend. Kite Runner is considered a modern classic for a reason. The story of Amir, who struggles to find his place in the world because of the after effects and fallout from a series of traumatic childhood events, is compelling mainly because of the relationship dynamic with his friend Hassan. Then by the time Sohrab, Hassan’s son, enters the picture and we see how complex relationships in our lives overlap, it’s already emotionally overwhelming.
Of all the parts in the story the one that had me in tears was the end at the park. It’s the instance where Amir tells Sohrab, his father’s famous line, “for you a thousand times over”. Back in their childhood days, Amir used to take Hassan saying this very line to him as an act of servitude. He thought he was saying so because he was their servant but obviously Hassan was saying it because of his friendship with Amir. The fact that Amir had finally realized it by the end and was putting so much effort into redeeming himself had me all choked up.
