The Empty Read: Books and Movies That Left Me Feeling Hollow and Why

Literature can be a powerful medium to transport us to different eras and help us understand the human experience. However, sometimes reading a book or watching a movie can lead to the exact opposite reaction. Certain works leave you feeling empty, lost, or even melancholy for days. In this article, we will explore some of the books and movies that had a profound impact on me, but primarily left me feeling hollow, and delve into why that might be the case.

Books That Left Me Feeling Empty

Recently, I took a dive into Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue. This novel, which I expected great things from, ended up leaving me feeling hollow. The story takes place in 18th century London and follows Mary Saunders from a life of poverty in rough cloth to one of prostitution, moving then to a household seamstress in Monmouth. Despite the promising setting and historical context, the narrative did not resonate with me. Mary was not a character one could relate to or take an interest in. The absence of character development and meaningful plot twists meant that no matter how many times I hoped for a turning point, none ever came. The rich background of 18th century England was not enough to salvage the novel, leaving me disappointed.

Another book that left me feeling empty is Melancholia (2011). The film’s deep melancholy and lack of direction made it a difficult and even depressing experience. As with Slammerkin, I could not find any uplifting or hopeful elements in the plot. Similarly, the novel Madame Bovary and the film adaptation, alongside Miss Julie (2014), had elements that were not able to overcome their negative impact.

Books That Filled a Void with Insight and Emotion

Not all books leave us feeling empty. Some have the power to enlighten us both intellectually and emotionally. One such book that filled me with wonder and broke through my mental barriers was A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. The book is an expansive overview of the universe, from the Big Bang to the current scientific understanding. Despite the vast amount of information, the writing style is engaging and easy to follow. As much as I wanted to dive headfirst into the pages, I had to take breaks to truly digest the information. By the time I finished the book, I felt a profound enlightenment and exhaustion from the sheer wealth of knowledge.

Another emotionally moving but profound read was A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. This novel is a tale of two Afghan women living through war and hardship. The book is a beautiful portrayal of love, loss, and resilience. The narrative is deep and heart-wrenching, making it impossible to put down. While the characters and their lives are filled with suffering and tragedy, the love and humanity portrayed are overwhelmingly moving. The book left me feeling both fulfilled and heartbroken, but ultimately, deeply inspired.

Books That Brought Fears and Fascinations to Life

Lastly, I’d like to mention Mirror by Graham Masterton, a book I read in my youth that still haunts me. Mirror is a horror novel that sent shivers down my spine. Despite the fear it instilled, the book was unputdownable. The chilling plot made me unable to look into mirrors for three days and even caused me to avoid dark hallways. The relentless suspense and the twisted narrative made it a memorable read that left me both thrilled and enlightened.

In conclusion, different books and movies leave us with different feelings. Some can leave us feeling hollow and dejected, while others can be enlightening and deeply moving. Slammerkin, Melancholia, Madame Bovary, and Miss Julie are just a few examples of texts that left me feeling empty. On the other hand, A Short History of Nearly Everything and A Thousand Splendid Suns are books that filled my mind with new knowledge and emotions. Whether you prefer books that educate, those that make you feel deeply, or those that scare you into the night, the experience of reading and watching is, in itself, a profound journey.

Keywords: empty read, melancholic literature, deeply moving books