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never_be_boring t1_ixtq4z9 wrote

It was that way for me with the book. I didn't realize books could be gut wrenching. I remember my mom walking in on me sobbing

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xion778 t1_ixtum0k wrote

Same. I read the book as a kid. I had no desire to see the movie when it came out.

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Getofffmycloud OP t1_ixtqqup wrote

I don’t even know what I would have been like had I read the book before I saw the movie. I was an avid reader and books surely hit closer to home than movies. This was probably one of those instances where the universe knew I wouldn’t be strong enough to read it in a book

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JackRiverside t1_ixv1iwz wrote

What the book does for you that the movie doesn’t is builds on the differences of the father and son and resentment they have for each other. But when this all goes down it’s the father who reaches out to him and supports him emotionally. The tragedy and the love in all the same moment is so much emotion it’s hard not to tear up. It’s real and raw but shows the complexity of the relationships you have with others.

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[deleted] t1_ixvhk9e wrote

We read it in 7th grade and I still remember how upset the class was. This was almost 30 years ago

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allthestruggle t1_ixvkqae wrote

I read it in 6th grade and a parent literally went to the school board to try and get it banned. Because you know it's not like kids will ever have to deal with tragedy I guess...

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not-the-meep t1_ixw4vq5 wrote

Did the same thing around 5th-8th grade (not sure when exactly) and had a similar reaction. Though honestly more disappointed than saddened as I had seen the trailer for the movie, but I never went to see it and I had already read several stories like Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller. As a result, I went into the book expecting the sort of straight forward adventure novel that the trailers had promised but was emotionally well prepared for when the did end up tragedy occurring. Honestly no that I'm older I do feel the sadness of the tragedy, but when I read it I was more frustrated that they never actually went on any Narnia style adventures.

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