Tags:

How A went from thinking B to C
May 3, 2012 7:31 PM   Subscribe

Please recommend stories about mental battles. Specifically, people overcoming deep-seated fears or beliefs.

I just finished reading the Hunger Games trilogy, and particularly like how the epilogue mirrors an early and fundamental fear of Katniss': probably much of the difference can be attributed to the destruction of the 'trigger' (trying not to spoil the book for some of you), but the book doesn't really go into detail. Now I'm pining for stories that do show that journey - recommendations please? Some points to help you narrow down the selection:
  • I prefer the written word over films, but both are welcome.
  • I really enjoy realism in non-realistic novels.
  • Nothing mega-long please! Though if it's as gripping as The Hunger Games I'll consider it.
  • Genre doesn't matter (both fiction and non-fiction are ok).
  • Neither does writing style. I was initially irked by the first person present tense narrative of THG, but I now realise it can be very effective in conveying character emotional growth and all that.
posted by fix to grab bag (7 answers total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
"Steel" is a lousy film, but that's what it's about.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:40 PM on May 3, 2012


Movies: Unbreakable
Books: Will, by G. Gordon Liddy
posted by rhizome at 8:30 PM on May 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Losing Faith in Faith by Dan Barker might fit the bill.
posted by smcameron at 10:20 PM on May 3, 2012


There's a Heinlein short called "Ordeal in Space" that may be worth your time.

Miriam Toews' A Complicated Kindness is told by the young female protagonist in the first person.
posted by brennen at 11:26 PM on May 3, 2012


Came in here to recommend Liddy's autobiography. If you want to read about conquering fear, that's where you go.
posted by codswallop at 1:58 AM on May 4, 2012


Heinlein had a short story called Ordeal in Space wherein an astronaut has to get over his fear of heights (spoiler: by saving a kitten!). As a short, it might not have enough development for your purposes, though.
posted by blurker at 2:09 PM on May 4, 2012


Thank you all for the suggestions! I'll start with Liddy's book as it has such great reviews.
posted by fix at 2:22 PM on May 13, 2012


« Older Biglawfilter, workplacepolitic...   |  I'm a student in Western Massa... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.