Whenever I pop into Waterstones or see posters advertising books at stations I'm amazed at the number of books written by people about what miserable childhoods they had. Now I know we're an increasingly nosey and fame-obsessed country these days, but if you've had a miserable childhood or been abused, why on earth would you want to tell the world about it? Sure, I accept that it can be helpful for victims of abuse to talk about the experience so they can come to terms with it, but isn't this best done in private?
Even more baffling is what kind of people buy these books and take some kind of pleasure reading about someone else's misery.

On a similar note, there's also a number of books being written by relatives of murder victims - again, why would you want to read about them and what is there to say? I think there's one by someone whose mother was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper. While this is of course tragic, how can you fill 300-odd pages when your story is "My mother was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper and...well, that's it really"?

It's a version of the old journalistic saying 'If it bleeds, it leads'.

People LOVE the vicarious thrill of reading about soemone's life going to pieces, because they can then say 'Well, at least it's not me. I'm not yet there.'

I think it's horrible.

Whenever I pop into Waterstones or see posters advertising books at stations I'm amazed at the number of books written by people about what miserable childhoods they had. Now I know we're an increasingly nosey and fame-obsessed country these days, but if you've had a miserable childhood or been abused, why on earth would you want to tell the world about it? Sure, I accept that it can be helpful for victims of abuse to talk about the experience so they can come to terms with it, but isn't this best done in private?
Even more baffling is what kind of people buy these books and take some kind of pleasure reading about someone else's misery.

On a similar note, there's also a number of books being written by relatives of murder victims - again, why would you want to read about them and what is there to say? I think there's one by someone whose mother was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper. While this is of course tragic, how can you fill 300-odd pages when your story is "My mother was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper and...well, that's it really"?


I agree. And this may not be entirely popular, but I did read one such book, which went on to spawn a whole series by the same author, and I have to say I found it very farfetched and not at all believeable.

It's a version of the old journalistic saying 'If it bleeds, it leads'.

People LOVE the vicarious thrill of reading about soemone's life going to pieces, because they can then say 'Well, at least it's not me. I'm not yet there.'

I think it's horrible.

So no plans for a warts and all expose of the hell of moderating?

A Mod called It :P

So no plans for a warts and all expose of the hell of moderating?

A Mod called It :P

Nah....if we did write such a book the gory details would all be about the users who cause us pain.

I don't think anyone on here would benefit form that - especially those users. :D

But, you know what they say...keep a diary when you're young, because when you're older the diray may very well keep you. :)

Nah....if we did write such a book the gory details would all be about the users who cause us pain.

I don't think anyone on here would benefit form that - especially those users. :D

But, you know what they say...keep a diary when you're young, because when you're older the diray may very well keep you. :)

Oh go on Joe - write it! The Sheffield Forum exposed!

I could see it being a HUGE money-spinner here in Sheffield - and perhaps elsewhere :thumbsup:

StarSparkle :) - only kidding folks!

Generally speaking, it might be down to simple psycology.

In bad times (terrorist attacks, war, poor economy) popular culture tends to get a little more negative.

In peacetime, then popular culture will cheer up a little and the pop charts (for example) will fill with more happy songs.

Maybe this is some sort of explanation (considering we're in a couple of wars and miserable literature is popular)?

Whenever I pop into Waterstones or see posters advertising books at stations I'm amazed at the number of books written by people about what miserable childhoods they had. Now I know we're an increasingly nosey and fame-obsessed country these days, but if you've had a miserable childhood or been abused, why on earth would you want to tell the world about it? Sure, I accept that it can be helpful for victims of abuse to talk about the experience so they can come to terms with it, but isn't this best done in private?
Even more baffling is what kind of people buy these books and take some kind of pleasure reading about someone else's misery.

On a similar note, there's also a number of books being written by relatives of murder victims - again, why would you want to read about them and what is there to say? I think there's one by someone whose mother was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper. While this is of course tragic, how can you fill 300-odd pages when your story is "My mother was murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper and...well, that's it really"? that has to be one of the most biased copped tripe ive heard as an excuse for neglegting to listen understand and finish the real abuse happening all over europe if you wish to discuss further then reply