Novels About Trauma
I was looking at the books that had the most emotional impact on me, and I realized that these books have something in common. These are all books about trauma. I realize this is an extremely difficult topic for many of us. All of the books on this list were eye-opening for me.
From fiction to memoir, these books will hit hard, but they are not for everyone. While other books will make you cry, these books will leave an imprint on your heart and change the way you look at the world.
The Best Novels About Trauma
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Fiction Novel About Trauma
Room by Emma Donoghue- Jump to Section
Best Historical Fiction Novel About Trauma
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry- Jump to Section
Best Nonfiction Book About Trauma
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells- Jump to Section
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Fiction Novels About Trauma
Room
Author: Emma Donoghue
Year: 2011
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is a haunting story about a woman held captive in a shed for years with her five-year-old son. She tries to teach him and entertain him in their tiny room until they have a chance to escape. Following their escape, they find acclimating to normal life to be challenging, especially for the little boy.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, Kidnapping
Why Jackie loves it
Even though the saying is “the book is better”, the movie adaptation of this contemporary fiction book written by a Canadian author was really good. There are only a few other book adaptations I would add to that list. This story will pull on your heartstrings and leave you in tears.
Find this book in: Books About Motherhood / Isolation Books / Canadian Novels / Novels About Trauma
Plot
Push is a look at life in the poverty-stricken streets of Harlem in the eighties. The main character is an illiterate 16-year-old pregnant with her second child by her father.
Trigger Warnings
Incest, Rape, Child Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
The commentary on a life of poverty and the struggles to get out of her situation are horrific but inspiring. It is incredibly difficult, but such a worthwhile, thought-provoking book.
Find this book in: Thought-Provoking Books / Books About Poverty / Books Set in New York / Novels About Trauma
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Author: Gail Honeyman
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
More info: June 2107 Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this contemporary fiction book initially. Initially, Eleanor’s behavior and responses to people and situations upset me. I had the outside perspective of a reader to understand how Eleanor is misinterpreting situations. She is not supposed to be likable initially which is why I persevered and ended up loving the book and Eleanor.
Eleanor has difficulty with social skills and is used to being alone until one day, she saves an elderly man who has fallen with the help of Raymond from her work. The three develop a friendship that helps Eleanor heal.
Trigger Warnings
Loneliness
Why Jackie likes it
As we get to know Eleanor and understand her profound loneliness, it made me think about what initial judgments I make in other areas. Eleanor is able to find herself and understand herself in this wonderful, feel-good book.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you love a character-driven novel, this is the book for you. Eleanor changes so much from the beginning of the story to the end, I loved taking the journey with her.
Find this book in: Books Like A Man Called Ove/ Books About Scotland / British Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Best Books Like Lessons in Chemistry / Ultimate List of Feel-Good Books / Amnesia Books
Find books like this in: Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Historical Fiction Novels About Trauma
A Fine Balance
Author: Rohinton Mistry
Year: 1995
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: November 2001 Oprah Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
A Fine Balance is an epic and heartbreaking family saga of life in India. It’s a story of love and friendship in an unnamed city in 1975. Lovers come together and are ripped apart in this memorable book.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide, Violence
Why Jackie loves it
I read this book years before it was an Oprah Book Club pick, but it is not a book that is easy to forget. It is heart-wrenching in every way and a literary feat.
Find this book in: Novels About Trauma/ Long Books / Family Sagas / Books About Poverty / Books Set in the 70s / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books/ The Best Long Books
Milkman
Author: Anna Burns
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Literary Fiction
More info: Man Booker Prize
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is one of the most unique books I have ever read. No one has a name! Instead, they are referred to as Milkman, or Real Milkman otherwise known as the man who loves no-one, or third-brother-in-law, or maybe-boyfriend.
It’s an amazing storytelling device that literally explains the relationship to the main character (also of no name) while allowing the reader to project their own names, and ideas (or assumptions) onto the characters. Oddly enough, this was a DNF for Jackie which would make it a perfect book for bookclubs. Did you love it or hate it?
Why Kirsten loves it
I LOVED this one. I seriously geeked out over the audio version of this Man Booker Prize-winning novel.
Jackie’s Thoughts
This was a DNF for me. I could not listen to the main character talk about “reading and walking and walking and reading”. It made me completely nuts.
Find this book in: Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Novels About Trauma
Where the Crawdads Sing Deluxe Edition
Author: Dehlia Owens
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: September 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Season 7 Queen Camilla’s Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The book begins when a body is found in a North Carolina marsh and is identified as Chase Andrews. The story moves between the past and the present to tell the story of Kya Clark, The Marsh Girl, who is a suspect in the murder.
Kya Clark, The Marsh Girl, is abandoned first by her mother, then by her siblings, and eventually by her father at a very young age. She is forced to fend for herself in the marshes, away from society.
With the help of two beloved friends, she learns to care for herself but not without experiencing cruelty and violence. Then, she finds herself faced with murder charges and is forced to confront her secrets and past that have shaped her into the woman that she has become.
Trigger Warnings
Abandonment, Domestic and child abuse, assault
Why Jackie loves it
I admit that when I saw the description of this coming-of-age book, I was not sold. A trusted individual, who has never steered me wrong in the past, gave me an advanced copy so, I took the leap. And wow, am I glad I did. I read this book and then recommended it to everyone I knew. It is a story about love, nature, and perseverance.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a novel that is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is part mystery and part historical fiction that shows the importance of human connections.
Find this book in: Books About Poverty and Its Impact / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Books Like Where the Crawdads Sing / Book Club for Where the Crawdads Sing/ Books with Food in the Title / Books That Will Emotionally Wreck You / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Books Set in the 1960s / The Best Audiobooks of All Time / Books Like Eleanor Oliphant
The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Year: 2004
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: #1 New York Times Bestselling Book
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The story of the friendship between a wealthy boy and his servant is one filled with betrayal, tragedy, and heartbreak.
Told against the background of Afghanistan’s destruction and the war, this sweeping tale is a must-read.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, War
Why Jackie loves it
This coming-of-age book set in the 70s in Afghanistan is one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read. I sobbed for a full 30 minutes after the last chapter.
Find this book in: Books Set in the 70s / Best Queen Camilla Book Club Books / Novels About Trauma
Nonfiction Books About Trauma
Plot
This is an amazing recount of Jeanette Walls’s upbringing and childhood. She is a successful journalist and writer living in New York City. Her parents also live in New York; however, they choose to be homeless. Jeanette Wells’s upbringing was unconventional and her parents did not offer her a structured childhood.
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism, Child abuse
Why Jackie loves it
This is a fascinating memoir that reads like fiction. It gives a unique perspective to mental illness from a close family member. Wells is able to do this without blame and with love and respect respect for both her parents.
Find this book in: Thought-provoking Books / Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Books about Poverty / Books like Where the Crawdads Sing / Best Nonfiction Books / Novels About Trauma
Plot
This memoir details a young boy’s severe case of child abuse. It is incredibly hard to stomach the things the author experienced. That anyone could do that to a child is heartbreaking and disgusting.
Trigger Warnings
Severe Child Abuse
Kirsten’s Feelings
This book is deeply disturbing, and like Push is not for the faint of heart. This is the most graphic book on this list.
Find this book in: Novels About Trauma
Expert Tip
Every book on this list is extremely powerful in its own way. To ensure you find a book on this list that you will enjoy, see my tips below
- Read the trigger warnings in addition to the description of the plot. These books deal with very difficult topics that may not be ok for everyone to read.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a novel about trauma?
These novels deal with serious trauma from war or child abuse. These are not books for everyone because they deal with very difficult topics. They are very well written with complex stories that will leave an imprint on your heart.
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Epilogue
Have you read any of these novels about trauma?
Oh goodness, what a list!! I must say, though, *nothing* wrecks me more than when a dog dies – I’ve been banned from reading books with dogs for that very reason, so Marley & Me remains a mystery to me. I really need to get to reading The Kite Runner – I’ve heard from multiple sources that it is absolutely heartbreaking but also brilliant. <3