A book with stomach churning violence and a philosophical message?

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Penguin Hu

I'm a guy that's been interested in philosophy and good literature since a young age, but recently, I've been in a slump. Slumps for me result in anger, and that anger can be released through violence or a really thought provoking book. So, does anyone have a great book that has intense scenes, but has a deeper, more meaningful theme?

Answer
The Horrific Sufferings of Mind-Reading Monster Hercules Barefoot, His Wonderful Love and His Terrible Hatred by Carl-Johan Vallgreen would seem to suit your needs. You get brothels, insane asylums, Inquisition chambers, freak circuses - but you also get more humanity, spirituality and general depth of heart and mind than I've found in a book in years.

What qualities make a book a best seller?

Alicia

I mean, look at Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, Twilight, Percy Jackson, etc. (In teen literature)
I'm just wondering, what do they have in common? I mean I know the Hunger Games and Percy Jackson became popular several years AFTER being published but I can't really understand what makes a best seller and popular books? I have read TONS of great books that don't sell any copies, and I don't really know why. Is it just luck? Publicity?

Answer
A combination of things actually. Plot value, scope and target audience, realism (at times), audience/character relationship ability, and the one thing no writer can predict: the Zeitgeist. Keep in mind, Lord of the Rings is hailed as a masterpiece now, but was HATED in its day.

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