I actually had no idea there was a sequel! LOL I’ll have to get a copy! I’m glad you mentioned it. I had so many mixed feelings about him. It was one of those books that just stick with you long after you’ve read it. ?
Yes, for the time it was published (and even today) that’s QUITE twisted. I even wondered how it ever became so popular at the time instead of being censured or something…
Toss up between Rose Red and Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red was weird and I was young. Mr. Mercedes makes you think, who writes this twisted stuff?!? Oh yeah! King does and I keep reading it! ?
Sorry, Gail, I also named this book, but somehow missed your mention of it before I posted mine. But yes, what you said in your reply to mine is, I think, exactly what I meant…
Twisted as in: plot twists and your ideas that you think you know what’s going on only to have something happen to make you realize you had it all wrong, up to the very last page:
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
I would have thought Bret Easton Ellis would rate a mention here. The book that immediately came to mind was The Room by Hubert Selby Jr. Last Exit To Brooklyn is twisted also depending on your definition iof twisted.
Then there is L’histoire de l’oeil – The Story Of The Eye by George Batialle
I don’t really do twisted but Shirley Jackson, We have Always Lived in the Castle, and short story The Lottery are both pretty twisted. And Nabokov – Lolita.
I am a woman of a certain age, so I recognize that adults should be allowed to choose their activities in the bedroom, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the popularity of those books might be a “set up” for men to use to exploit young women who are not ready to make those choices. With all the recent publicity about sexual exploitation of women, I have been revisiting those ideas.
@Melanie, I’m with you. I also tried watching the movie on TV, but couldn’t get past the beginning of that, either. I’m fairly open-minded, but was reading the behavior more as someone being a narcissistic, manipulative jerk, rather than healthy sexual adventure. Who’s got time for that? ?
I loved The Sisters Brothers! (I’m twisted. ?) It is brilliant, and darkly comic. Some of us in my book club were fans, others didn’t like or didn’t get it.
Interesting! I have it and have picked it up a few times, but all that turning the book around and looooong spans of all text and no paragraph breaks intimidate me.
High-rise by Ballard. I wanted to read the book before going to see the movie, but I was so horrified by the book that I will never watch it. Even if Tom Hiddleston is the lead actor. Nope nope nope.
I was thinking I hadn’t read anything much more twisted than Stephen King and then saw your post and said, “Ohhhhh, yeah there’s that.” I read the first of the quartet.
@Elizabeth It was partially based on a true story about inhumane abuse done to a young girl. I’ve read a lot of Stephen King, love The Walking Dead but this book made me physically sick.
Wait. I know. Because I’ve already said Palahniuk, The Castle in the Forest, and Knockemstiff, but I managed to finish them all: I nominate Justine by Marquis de Sade. Because I had to put it away from me
White Oleander Janet Finch; We Have Always lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson; We were Once the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates, Spy in the House of Love by Anias Nin, Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller; Pan by Knut Hamsun
So far, Cows by Stokoe. And I’m not saying it messed up my world (but i’m a bit of a psycho when it comes to books), but I don’t know another person who could actually read that from beginning to end. People usually warn you not to read it. So yes, don’t even try :))
A book called FIEND in which there is a zombie apocalypse but for some reason meth heads are spared from turning, so this group of tweakers just goes around scrounging for drugs to survive. It… does not end well.
Insert Chuck Palahniuk title here.
Or The Castle in the Forest
Haunted was my first CP. It was pretty…intense.
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter comes to mind. It was well written but very disturbing.
I haven’t read that one yet, I loved the Grant County series
I agree. It was my first Karin Slaughter and…..whoa!
I agree. I finished it but I had to skim some parts because it was so disturbing. There are some things you wish you could forget what you read.
Good grief, this was a wild ride!
Broken Monsters or The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes.
I’m starting Broken Monsters tonight…
A Little Life
Twisted by Andrew E Kaufman
Helter Skelter!
probably something by A. M. Holmes.
Cows by Matthew Stokoe
Sleeping Beauty Trilogy
It was Quartet! She released the 4th one in 2015.
I think she used them to test and see how long people could last.
I didnt know that. Guess I have a forth book to buy lol
Geek love
You: A Novel
Twisted but kinda funny and the main character is so likable… but a freak too!
This book was so twisted! LOL I just gave it to my sister to read
I really dug it but wasn’t a big fan of Hidden Bodies.
Haven’t read that one
It’s the sequel to You. It doesn’t have the same suspense and freakiness as You since you’ve already been introduced to Joe. ?
I actually had no idea there was a sequel! LOL I’ll have to get a copy! I’m glad you mentioned it. I had so many mixed feelings about him. It was one of those books that just stick with you long after you’ve read it. ?
Flowers in the attic
Yes, for the time it was published (and even today) that’s QUITE twisted. I even wondered how it ever became so popular at the time instead of being censured or something…
I agree
Agreed!
Crash – Ballard
We have to talk about Kevin
Sharp Objects or Dark Places both by Gillian Flynn
Behind Her Eyes
Intensity dean koontz
Might’ve been the scariest book I’ve read
The History Of The Spiral Staircase.
??
Three by Ted dekker, or diary by Chuck palnuik (I never get his last name right, but the guy the wrote fight club)
…and what’s the first rule of fight club? ?
Toss up between Rose Red and Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King.
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red was weird and I was young. Mr. Mercedes makes you think, who writes this twisted stuff?!? Oh yeah! King does and I keep reading it! ?
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
I had to put it down a few times. Some of the detail and descriptions…
I hated this, I felt like it messed with my head for weeks after. Would never read it again!
That book still haunts me, especially when I hear someone say rat
Ok now I want to read this! LOL
The Magus by John Fowles.
Sorry, Gail, I also named this book, but somehow missed your mention of it before I posted mine. But yes, what you said in your reply to mine is, I think, exactly what I meant…
It still stands out in my mind as one of the weirdest things I’ve ever read—and I’m an avid reader.
Exactly!
The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund
Invisible by James Patterson
The Peppermint Pig by Nina Bawden
Depending on what exactly is meant by “twisted” I would rate The Magus / John Fowles rather difficult to follow around all its twists…?
It is hard to follow, but I was thinking more about the Magus himself, his actions and his group of followers.
Twisted as in: plot twists and your ideas that you think you know what’s going on only to have something happen to make you realize you had it all wrong, up to the very last page:
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Excellent book!!
Yup
I would have thought Bret Easton Ellis would rate a mention here. The book that immediately came to mind was The Room by Hubert Selby Jr. Last Exit To Brooklyn is twisted also depending on your definition iof twisted.
Then there is L’histoire de l’oeil – The Story Of The Eye by George Batialle
The Girl Before
Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon. Hundreds of pages of Whisky Tango Foxtrot.
I just found a new list if books to read! ??
Same! LOL
Tokyo – Mo Hayder
You by Caroline Kepnes
Or A Child Called It/The Boy Who Lived as a Dog…
Pig Island- Mo Hayder,, love Mo Hayder,,hmmm what does that say about me.
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. Creeped me out. The dentures, shudder.
Gone girl!!
I don’t really do twisted but Shirley Jackson, We have Always Lived in the Castle, and short story The Lottery are both pretty twisted. And Nabokov – Lolita.
I’ll second “The Lottery”. I read that in high school. Really messed up.
@Michelle the other is even more messed up! I taught The Lottery to grade 8 and it was so interesting watching them as they ‘got’ it!
Misery
yes. I stopped reading King.
The Unwind dystology is pretty high up there for me
I second that!
Stephen King’s GERALD’S GAME.
And it’s not twisted, but I found Sapphire’s PUSH really hard to read. So much suffering.
Gerald is on my bookshelf— should he stay there or should I read it?
Read it. Then you have to read Delores Claiborne. They have a link between them.
@Debra , read it. It’s the only book that’s Ever scared me
Ok! I’m in!
The Vanished Man by Jeffery Deaver
Sharp Objects by Flynn
Ditto
I could not read any of the 50 shades books, how about others on here…did you like them?
Hated! I couldn’t even get through the first chapter, the writing was so bad.
I am a woman of a certain age, so I recognize that adults should be allowed to choose their activities in the bedroom, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the popularity of those books might be a “set up” for men to use to exploit young women who are not ready to make those choices. With all the recent publicity about sexual exploitation of women, I have been revisiting those ideas.
@Melanie, I’m with you. I also tried watching the movie on TV, but couldn’t get past the beginning of that, either. I’m fairly open-minded, but was reading the behavior more as someone being a narcissistic, manipulative jerk, rather than healthy sexual adventure. Who’s got time for that? ?
American Psycho.
Loved the movie, but never read the book.
I loved The Sisters Brothers! (I’m twisted. ?) It is brilliant, and darkly comic. Some of us in my book club were fans, others didn’t like or didn’t get it.
House of leaves
Interesting! I have it and have picked it up a few times, but all that turning the book around and looooong spans of all text and no paragraph breaks intimidate me.
@KC , it’s worth making it to the end
@Francesca
No doubt! I’ve heard great things. Any tips on how to get through it?
I read some every night until I got to the end and then I just sat there staring into space
@Francesca
Oh wow, LOL!
Anything by Bentley Little..
Last Exit to Brooklyn maybe
The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart
The 120 Days of Sodom, or the School of Libertinage by Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade.
Yes, these definitely win most twisted.
Probably something by John Irving.
Gone Girl. Twisted as in you two people deserve each other.
Silence of The Lambs by Harris.
I thought The Goldfinch was a bit twisted.
Push by Sapphire
The Vegetarian by Han Kang. That book lingered with me.
I STILL think about this book! I want to read Human Acts, but I’m almost afraid. I feel like I have to prepare myself ?
Haven’t read that one but I’m intrigued!
Masters Of Death on SS Einzeitgruppen for WW2 history was horrible … still remember details from years ago ?
Revival by Stephen King
Flowers in the Attic.
Misery but I only read half of it and threw it in the garbage.
It was the only book I have ever read that made me physically hurt. Not fun to read, but that goes to his skill as a writer. Def twisted.
I love Stephen King but “Cell” was too gory for me.
Gone Girl
Loved it!
Coldheart canyon by Clive barker
A Simple Plan
100% House of Small Shadows by Adam Nevill
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It was so hard to get through the first page.
The first page? Really??? How come? It’s on my reading list, so I hope it gets better! ?
It is a great book as are all the books in that series…dark and twisty though!
A great series and the character goes on with another author.
Tough read…
High-rise by Ballard. I wanted to read the book before going to see the movie, but I was so horrified by the book that I will never watch it. Even if Tom Hiddleston is the lead actor. Nope nope nope.
John Saul suffer the little children, and flowers in the attic (pretty much most of VC Andrews)
OMG..i still have nightmares about the john Saul one and it’s been about 35 years since I read it!
Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
Under mr nolan’s bed
Merciless
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
Still Missing
Geek Love
Sleeping Beauty Quartet by Anne Rice.
I was thinking I hadn’t read anything much more twisted than Stephen King and then saw your post and said, “Ohhhhh, yeah there’s that.” I read the first of the quartet.
Lord of the Flies.
Heartsick – Chelsea Cain
Joona Linna series – Lars Kepler
I read Heartsick while in Portland, biggest mistake ever!
Which Portland?
Oregon, the book is set there and the author is from Vancouver WA. She described each place so perfectly that it was immersive.
Neverwhere
I think I want to read this book
Dark Places by Flynn
Knockemstiff
By an Ohio author, he’s from the town called Knockemstiff. The critics called it a modern macabre Winesburg, Ohio
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. It was horrifying.
Why?
@Elizabeth It was partially based on a true story about inhumane abuse done to a young girl. I’ve read a lot of Stephen King, love The Walking Dead but this book made me physically sick.
Filth by Irvine Welsh
American Psycho…God, I hated that guy so much….
The Good Nurse
J.G. Ballard’s ‘Crash’\
The alexandrite
Perfume by Patrick Suskind
The Dinner by Herman Koch
I need to get to Perfume, a lot of people recommend it and weird. Maybe i’ll make it my Christmas read, mwahaha
@Andreia , it’s a fascinating portrait of pure evil. Fascinating read.
Definitely my Christmas read.
Fall on Your Knees by Ann Marie MacDonald
Naked Lunch William Burroughs
Wait. I know. Because I’ve already said Palahniuk, The Castle in the Forest, and Knockemstiff, but I managed to finish them all: I nominate Justine by Marquis de Sade. Because I had to put it away from me
White Oleander Janet Finch; We Have Always lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson; We were Once the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates, Spy in the House of Love by Anias Nin, Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller; Pan by Knut Hamsun
Gone Girl
Night shift – read it in 9th grade lol Thought is sorta freaky
We need to talk about kevin by lionel shriver
In addition to The Sisters Brothers, which I mentioned before ^, I just thought of another to add to my list – The Bear Comes Home. (Loved them both!)
I’m beginning to think my definition of twisted is far from the norm
The Grown Up by Gillian Flynn
So far, Cows by Stokoe. And I’m not saying it messed up my world (but i’m a bit of a psycho when it comes to books), but I don’t know another person who could actually read that from beginning to end. People usually warn you not to read it. So yes, don’t even try :))
False Memory by Dean koontz
Lolita
A book called FIEND in which there is a zombie apocalypse but for some reason meth heads are spared from turning, so this group of tweakers just goes around scrounging for drugs to survive. It… does not end well.
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter. Really graphic but I loved it
This one is next on my list.
Fall on your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald…the rocking chair that wasn’t a rocking chair…
I agree
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
Enjoying this thread, with all the books to get to it’s nice to know there are many I don’t want to get to.
Yes, and now I’m curious to go & find some of them…?
The Book of Human Skin by Michelle Lovric or Perfume by Patrick Suskind…….or maybe The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter!
Yes, I also thought of The book of human skin AND Perfume only yesterday!
Great minds think alike Tina!
Twisted as in plot or as just a really twisted book due to content?
Looks like we’re onto both – either / or?
I was more interested in content when I asked. But can be both 🙂
Gravitys Rainbow
anything by Neil Gaiman is going to have a twisted plot–the best i think is Neverwhere
American psycho
Never could bring myself to read this or see the subsequent movie. Had heard too much about the gore.
Geek Love. So effed up ?
@The
Ugh. Any novel by VC Andrews. I simply want to blow my brains out after. ?? Twisted but not in a fun way.
Hands down, The Wind Up Bird Chronicle.
Oh yes it was!
Under Major Domo Minor by Patrick deWitt AND Geek Love by Katherine Dunn.
Lolita
Escape (about Mormon polygamy)
Have you read Doc – “The Rape of the Town of Lovell by Jack Olsen?
I went to school with Carolyn Jessop’s kids. I remember when she was on Oprah & it was huge! She is very brave woman!
Ditto
…to @Yvette‘s
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. Seriously twisted. I can’t even give it a review or rating on Goodreads.
Kafka on the Shore! Haha
The dress maker
Following
Sid and Nancy
Helter skelter
Following!
Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
Also Paint It Black by Janet Finch