Frustrated with fiction

[Associate of Daniel]

I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with fiction films and books.

Since dealing with upds, I can't deal with anything too "heavy".  So I gravitate towards Hallmark movies and light romantic novels. 

It's embarrassing to admit it but that's where I'm at.  And to think I used to read Thomas Hardy and the Bronte sisters!

Anyway, I feel that neither the books I read or the movies I see have any basis in reality. I prefer the Hallmark stuff because it's so FAR removed from reality it's almost acceptable.

If I go for anything more serious, it's too depressing and graphic.

I wish someone would come up with something that is more realistic but that is still approachable.

Maybe stories of fractured relationships that will never be restored but have the characters moving towards better lives.

I don't know really.  Just feeling a bit of discontent.  Like the world doesn't get  the reality of so many of us.

AOD

[Cascade]

I know this is an older topic but I completely agree with you!

[mary_poppins]

It hit hard when you said 'the world doesn't get the reality of many of us.' YES. And it feels invalidating.
Toxic mothers don't end up changing their ways and adutl children remain no contact with them for life. People rarely change. Healing is a very long and very hard process. Many do not heal in this lifetime.
I feel you.

[Call Me Cordelia]

I like Jane Austen. I feel like many of her characters are just plain irredeemable and possibly PD, but the hero's and heroines find a way to forge their own path (through a good and wealthy marriage, it's true, but that's a bit of the Hallmark element there). Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice are satisfying reads. A bit on the lighter side but still literature. If you feel ready for a challenging read, I also really like Dostoyevsky. Plenty of grounding in reality and broken relationships there, but ultimately a hopeful book in my view.

[Rebel13]

I agree with Associate of Daniel. I've been losing myself in the gritty spy/detective genre lately, because it's so unrelated to anything in my actual life.

I have read a few good modern novels that either didn't touch on difficult relationships and fake reconciliation, or handled those topics in what I felt were realistic, empathetic ways. A couple of examples:
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Perfect by Rachel Joyce
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Should I start a book recommendation thread? Or maybe there already is one!

[notrightinthehead]

Oh I absolutely loved Eleanor Oliphant!
And I so enjoy all Agatha Raisin books by MC Beaton.
I am going to look for the other three books you recommended Rebel, thanks for that!

[Happypants]

It's funny that this thread has come up just now - I was just thinking the other day how much time, energy, and headspace I've used in trying to understand crappy pd dynamics.  That's time, energy and headspace that should have gone into pursuing hobbies and following my interests.  When I was younger, I gravitated towards heavier reading and movies, probably because I had the headspace and hadn't yet been shut into the reality of dealing with family issues and trying to fix myself.  I do find now that I just gravitate towards music, tv and film that are a form of escape and easy "chewing gum" for the brain.  It's like the dark drama has been going on in my life for years, so I don't find anything gritty or dark entertaining any more. 

[Associate of Daniel]

I really enjoyed Elinor Oliphant when I read it a few years ago.  And I saw the play of The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night.  It was EXCELLENT.  (I actually desperately wanted to see a tech run of it as I was so impressed by the simplicity but difficulty of the directorial techniques.  Yep. I'm a nerd.)

How funny that this thread has reignited.

AOD

[JustKeepTrying]

Goodness I thought it was just me. Light and funny. Cozy mysteries and silly romances.  Hard to sit through the heavy - it's like I lived it I don't need to be reminded

Loved curious incident! And all the recommendations. Rereading Rosamund Pilcher and Dorothy Gilman now

[Cascade]

Thanks for the book suggestions everyone!