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Amphy64 t1_j9nfpba wrote

Oh, maybe I should then as I'm particularly interested in this theme. I don't understand why it would be dark or why it's even still taboo at all, it's especially an Anglosphere thing I think.

It was part of why I wanted to read The Satanic Verses: it didn't go into it as much as I expected but definitely had a sense of accuracy to it. The Sorrows of Young Werther, absolutely loved that one, it's different in that Werther seems to have been depressed for a long time, but the psychological realism is what makes it stand out and part of why it's still a classic. Edith Wharton's >!The House of Mirth is less direct, it's presented as a possible 'accident' but a character clearly doesn't interpret it that way!<. Trollope's scene in The Prime Minister is amazing for the shift in the reader's perspective: also stands out that it was written by someone who'd actually experienced suicidal ideation. I appreciate novels capturing that it's not necessarily easy for a character to do, and that there can be a suddenness to it.

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Mindless-Bend-2662 OP t1_j9ouz53 wrote

I think it could be triggering if someone had struggled with that before reading them, which is why I said it felt dark to me

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Amphy64 t1_j9ru1uo wrote

Ah, see, this is why I'm interested in the topic. It might be triggering to some and wouldn't want to judge that, but often find that those who do have experience with suicidal ideation tend to be more interested than squeamish about it, if that makes sense. Some find it helpful: the approach in some countries is more to allow than shut down discussion of it, including allowing the idea that it's a completely valid option.

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