History WorseThanItSounds / Literature

* [[spoiler:''Literature/AtlasShrugged'']]: A group of clever and productive individuals stick it to authority in a [[InferredHolocaust well-thought out]] [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans yet ambitious manner]]. An [[HollywoodHomely unattractive]] but resourceful woman searches for the perfect LoveInterest while society collapses around her.

* ''[[spoiler:Literature/AModestProposal]]'': An essay suggesting an innovative way to get children involved with cooking.
* [[spoiler: ''A Plague of Sorcerers'']]: A tale of love, betrayal, and uniqueness set in a city ravaged by germ warfare.

* [[spoiler: ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'']]: An ordinary young woman with low self-esteem meets a charming billionaire by chance and forms a relationship with him, but in the process learns some unsettling truths about the man she loves and must make the difficult choice of whether to stay by his side despite the danger or leave him and put her own safety and well-being first.
** [[spoiler: ''Fifty Shades Darker'']]: The young woman chooses to stay loyal to her man, but learns even more about his dark past and must cope with his dual nature while attempting to help him overcome said dark past.
** [[spoiler: ''Fifty Shades Freed'']]: The couple is finally married, but still must overcome trials such as impending parenthood and the man's most hated rival attempting to bring him down.

* [[spoiler: ''Horrid Henry'']]: a boy with behaviour problems struggles to cope with neglectful parents, hateful teachers who overestimate him, his perfectionist brother who is obsessed with making him feel shit, and a sexist hate group formed against him and his friends.
* [[spoiler:''If You Give A Mouse A Cookie'']]: A deeply conservative diatribe against the social welfare system, exposing the corruptive influence of unrestrained greed and the American obsession of an instant gratification culture.

* [[spoiler: La Princetta et le Capitaine]]: A tale of high adventure in which a spirited young woman flees an arranged marriage in the desire to create her own happiness, and with her friends becomes embroiled in events that test all characters' self-images and moral principles. The author uses symbolism to great effect.
* [[spoiler: ''Literature/LeftBehind'']]: Four people cope with the effects of a mysterious, devastating event that wipes out a large number of the human population, including every child on the planet, and take it upon themselves to stop the one man hell-bent on taking advantage of the world's chaos for his own nefarious purposes. A thrilling read with unrelenting suspense.

* [[spoiler: ''The Maradonia Saga'']]: In a series of books [[ClicheStorm sure to resonate with readers of all ages]], two remarkable young siblings reach a magical land that defies description, [[{{Anvilicious}} learning a series of life lessons]] in the process of growing up and realizing their true destiny, [[InstantExpert learning new skills]] along the way, even as the young man [[WhatTheHellHero is corrupted by the powers of hell]]. Despite her young age, the author's [[WantonCrueltyToTheCommonComma stunning prose]], [[{{Narm}} creative dialogue]], [[FlatCharacter strong characterization]] and [[DesignatedHero relatable protagonists]] have earned her a small but dedicated fanbase.
* [[spoiler: ''Literature/MaximumRide'']]: An exploration of the potential evils of genetic engineering if the field takes its studies too far. It focuses on a group of horrific freaks of nature that escaped from the lab where they were illegally grown, and the lab's efforts to capture them back.
* [[spoiler: "Mrs. Snipkin and Mrs. Wobblechin," by Laura Elizabeth Richards]]: Two rather rude women argue about the room temperature; it ends with one of them getting smacked in the jaw with a soup cup and knocked out a window. [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids You know; for kids]]!

* [[spoiler:''If You Give A Mouse A Cookie'']]: A deeply conservative diatribe against the social welfare system, exposing the corruptive influence of unrestrained greed and the American obsession of an instant gratification culture.
* [[spoiler:''Literature/SwordOfTruth'']]: A man discovers he was heir to an empire he never knew of, and only through finding his true self can he stop a greater one.
* [[spoiler:''Literature/InheritanceCycle'']]: A boy must become a man as he and his companions seek to liberate their home from a vicious dictator and his legions of nefarious monsters. Action, adventure, romance, all combine to create [[ClicheStorm an unimaginable tale]] that will [[Franchise/StarWars resonate]] [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings all]] [[Literature/DragonridersOfPern too]] [[{{Literature/Earthsea}} strongly]].
* [[spoiler:''Literature/TheTwilightSaga'']]: A [[LowestCommonDenominator wildly popular]] series with a [[AudienceSurrogate highly relatable]] protagonist for [[{{Fangirl}} many young women]]. Can a vibrant, clever young woman and a [[BishieSparkle luminous]] [[OlderThanTheyLook young man]] from different worlds find happiness together despite the [[StarCrossedLovers considerable danger]] inherent in their union?
** [[spoiler:''New Moon'']]: The [[OlderThanTheyLook young man]] and woman break up when she is accidentally injured. The woman is forced to endure months and months away from her [[StrangledByTheRedString soulmate]], seeking comfort and solace in her childhood friend. She then embarks on a journey to stop her lover from [[DrivenToSuicide killing himself]] by exposing [[BishieSparkle his secret]].
** [[spoiler:''Eclipse'']]: The woman is grief-stricken when the two men in her life [[FurAgainstFang are in conflict]].
** [[spoiler:''Breaking Dawn'']]: [[{{Anticlimax}} The battle to which the books have been leading up to]] erupts when she is given [[FetusTerrible the baby she so rightly deserves]]. All the characters are given a [[EarnYourHappyEnding happy ending]] [[BlatantLies for which they worked so hard]].
* [[spoiler:''Literature/TheLegendOfRahAndTheMuggles'']]: An epic, heartbreaking tale of two brothers and the differences between them that threaten to split them apart forever.
* [[spoiler:''Literature/CiaphasCain'']]: A reluctant, self-deprecating man and his uniquely-scented companion struggle with the costs of [[AccidentalHero accidental heroism]] in [[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} a war-torn far future]], alternately aided and hindered by an army that has bought into [[ShroudedInMyth the illusionary reputation built around him]] and a mysterious, powerful woman who hangs the terrible truth over them.

* [[spoiler:''Literature/{{Stardoc}}'']]: A VillainWithGoodPublicity uses a brilliant if volatile surgeon's messed-up upbringing and [[OppositeSexClone weird origin]] to get her declared a non-person... thus ''officially'' ruining relations between humanity and a ProudWarriorRace. Even in the far future, HumansAreBastards.

* ''[[spoiler:Literature/AModestProposal]]'': An essay suggesting an innovative way to get children involved with cooking.

* [[spoiler: ''A Plague of Sorcerers'']]: A tale of love, betrayal, and uniqueness set in a city ravaged by germ warfare.
* [[spoiler: Literature/LegacyOfTheForce]] A man [[FaceHeelTurn embraces his destiny]] to change the galaxy, but ultimately chooses not to fulfill it because of his family. Notable for its inversion of gender roles and [[StraightGay inclusion of non-stereotypical characters]].
* [[spoiler: ''Touched By Venom'']]: An epic fantasy set in a [[CrapsackWorld brutal but brilliantly realized]] world that valiantly tackles such controversial issues as racism, sexism, class warfare, religion, and government corruption, as well as exploring the [[BestialityIsDepraved powerful bond between a band of brave priestesses and their dragon companions]].
* [[spoiler:''Lesbian Land 2250'']]: A profile of a bizarre future society seen through the eyes of a recent immigrant. The story [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot explores]] such concepts as [[HandWave genetic]] [[ArtisticLicenseBiology engineering]] and [[ParentalIncest cloning]], and describes the society's [[ExcusePlot rituals, customs, structure and values]] in [[{{squick}} extensive detail]].
** Alternately: An intriguing [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot investigation]] of a society whose members are [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex devoted]] to finding [[ConvenientlyCommonKink enjoyment]] in even the most [[{{Squick}} unusual of practices]]. Particularly notable for its clever consideration of [[PlotHole maintaining a population in a land filled entirely with females,]] and also well-known for its [[AllGaysArePromiscuous portrayal]] of [[LipstickLesbian female homosexuality.]] This tale, packed with [[FlatCharacter skilled]] characterization and [[BrainBleach touching,]] [[FetishRetardant sexy]] [[IKEAErotica love scenes]], is guaranteed to inspire [[NauseaFuel strong emotion]] and [[HeroicBSOD deep sadness]] in even the most coldhearted of readers.
* [[spoiler: ''Valley of the Dolls'']]: a landmark in proto-feminist literature, this best-seller explores the complicated lives of women in the entertainment industry. It addresses female friendship, the physical and psychic costs of tyrranical beauty standards, the grinding road to success, the hazards of fame and romance, and the protagonists' self-destructive coping mechanisms.
* [[spoiler: ''Horrid Henry'']]: a boy with behaviour problems struggles to cope with neglectful parents, hateful teachers who overestimate him, his perfectionist brother who is obsessed with making him feel shit, and a sexist hate group formed against him and his friends.

* [[spoiler: ''Literature/MaximumRide'']]: An exploration of the potential evils of genetic engineering if the field takes its studies too far. It focuses on a group of horrific freaks of nature that escaped from the lab where they were illegally grown, and the lab's efforts to capture them back.
* [[spoiler: ''The Maradonia Saga'']]: In a series of books [[ClicheStorm sure to resonate with readers of all ages]], two remarkable young siblings reach a magical land that defies description, [[{{Anvilicious}} learning a series of life lessons]] in the process of growing up and realizing their true destiny, [[InstantExpert learning new skills]] along the way, even as the young man [[WhatTheHellHero is corrupted by the powers of hell]]. Despite her young age, the author's [[WantonCrueltyToTheCommonComma stunning prose]], [[{{Narm}} creative dialogue]], [[FlatCharacter strong characterization]] and [[DesignatedHero relatable protagonists]] have earned her a small but dedicated fanbase.
* [[spoiler:''Literature/{{Victoria}}'']]: Written by a [[PopCultureIsolation famous]] political and military commentator, this war novel features [[RightWingMilitiaFanatic freedom fighters]] overthrow an authoritarian regime and battle [[StrawCharacter mass-murdering extremists]] in a [[WindmillCrusader heroic crusade]] to [[EsotericHappyEnding save America]]. Full of [[{{Narm}} dramatic scenes]] and [[TheWarOnStraw scathing commentary]], this tale has found a fandom among diverse people for a [[ValuesDissonance variety]] of [[SoBadItsGood reasons]].
* [[spoiler: ''Literature/LeftBehind'']]: Four people cope with the effects of a mysterious, devastating event that wipes out a large number of the human population, including every child on the planet, and take it upon themselves to stop the one man hell-bent on taking advantage of the world's chaos for his own nefarious purposes. A thrilling read with unrelenting suspense.
* [[spoiler:''Literature/TheTurnerDiaries'']]: A war story in which a band of [[AbsoluteXenophobe rebels]] fight a tyranical government, this time interlaced with [[ValuesDissonance interesting commentary on American race relations]]. Popular among [[ThoseWackyNazis notable]] [[RightWingMilitiaFanatic political]] [[TheKlan theorists]].
* [[spoiler: ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'']]: In a world where magic itself has been torn asunder, [[MarsAndVenusGenderContrast Men and Women must overcome their differences]] to defeat the [[EternalRecurrence return of an ancient evil]]. An [[TrilogyCreep epic tale]] of Good and Evil told in [[DescriptionPorn unprecedented detail]].

* [[spoiler: Literature/EffiBriest]] From the author of the most renowned travel guide to one of Central Europe's last untouched wildernisses of his era comes a tale of love, betrayal, romance and gender norms of the 19th century. Filled to the brim with resonant symbolism, duels, StarCrossedLovers and the dirty secrets of the highest rungs of society, this book is most notable for its daring and stunning last sentence. Required classroom reading.

* ''[[spoiler:Literature/CaptainUnderpants]]'': In a corrupt world where the adults in power frequently conspire to make children everywhere miserable and complacent, two young, creative and brave anarchists fight back against the cruel adults with the help of a man born from their immense imaginations.
* ''[[spoiler:Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians]]'': The 21st-century American equivalent to ''Literature/TheIliad'' and ''Literature/TheOdyssey''.

* [[spoiler:''Literature/{{Twilight}}'']]: A [[LowestCommonDenominator wildly popular]] series with a [[AudienceSurrogate highly relatable]] protagonist for [[{{Fangirl}} many young women]]. Can a vibrant, clever young woman and a [[BishieSparkle luminous]] [[OlderThanTheyLook young man]] from different worlds find happiness together despite the [[StarCrossedLovers considerable danger]] inherent in their union?

* ''[[spoiler:Literature/TheDaVinciCode]]'': A murder investigation unearths an AncientConspiracy. Very [[DanBrowned creative with history]].

* [[spoiler:''Lesbian Land 2250'']]: A profile of a [[{{Marysuetopia}} bizarre future society]] seen through the eyes of a recent immigrant. The story [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot explores]] such concepts as [[HandWave genetic]] [[ArtisticLicenseBiology engineering]] and [[ParentalIncest cloning]], and describes the society's [[ExcusePlot rituals, customs, structure and values]] in [[{{squick}} extensive detail]].

** [[spoiler:''Literature/TheFountainhead'']]: by the same author, the [[{{Doorstopper}} epic tale]] of a man who will stop at literally ''[[MadBomber nothing]]'' to preserve his integrity as an artist. Contains many powerful romantic scenes in which the artist pursues [[SingleTargetSexuality the one woman he feels worthy of him]].

** [[spoiler:''Eclipse'']]:The woman is grief-stricken when the two men in her life [[FurAgainstFang are in conflict]].

* ''[[spoiler:Literature/CaptainUnderpants]]'': In a corrupt world where the adults in power frequently conspire to make children everywhere miserable and complacent, two young, creative and brave anarchists fight back against the cruel adults with the help of a man born from their immense imaginations.

* [[spoiler:''Literature/TheTurnerDiaries'']]: A war story in which a band of [[AbsoluteXenophobe rebels]] fight a tyranical government, interlaced with [[ValuesDissonance interesting commentary on American race relations]]. Popular among [[ThoseWackyNazis notable]] [[RightWingMilitiaFanatic political]] [[TheKlan theorists]].

* [[spoiler:''Literature/TheTurnerDiaries'']]: A war story in which a band of [[AbsoluteXenophobe rebels]] fight a tyranical government, interlaced with [[ValuesDissonance interesting commentary on American race relations]]. Popular among [[RightWingMilitiaFanatic notable political figures]].

* ''[[spoiler:Literature/CaptainUnderpants]]'': In a corrupt world where adults frequently conspire to make the children in it miserable, two young, creative and brave anarchists fight back against the cruel adults with the help of a man born from their immense imaginations.

* [[spoiler: "Mrs. Snipkin and Mrs. Wobblechin," by Laura Elizabeth Richards]]: Two rather rude women argue about the room temperature; it ends with one of them getting smacked in the jaw with a soup cup and knocked out a window. [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids You know; for kids]]!

* [[spoiler: "Mrs. Snipkin and Mrs. Wobblechin," by Laura Elizabeth Richards]]: Two rather rude women argue about the room temperature; it ends with one of them getting smacked in the jaw with a soup cup. [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids You know; for kids]]!

* [[spoiler: "Mrs. Snipkin and Mrs. Wobblechin," by Laura Elizabeth Richards]]: Two rather rude women argue about the room temperature; it ends with one of them getting smacked in the throat with a soup cup. [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids You know; for kids]]!

* [[spoiler: Literature/EffiBriest]] From the author of the most renowned travel guide to one of Central Europe's last untouched wildernisses of his era comes a tale of love, betrayal, romance and gender norms of the 19th century. Filled to the brim with resonant symbolism, duels, StarCrossedLovers and the dirty secrets of the highest rungs of society, this book is most notable for its daring and stunning last sentence. Required classroom reading.

* [[spoiler: Harlequin/Mills & Boon]]: A publishing house [[GuiltyPleasure renowned]] for their [[StrictlyFormula diverse,]] [[TokenMinority world-spanning]] stories, loaded with a [[YourCheatingHeart passionate series of insights]] [[LoveTriangle into the human condition.]] Very distinct for its authorial base, employing [[MillsAndBoonProse a distinct language]] in all of its work.

* [[spoiler: ''The Maradonia Saga'']]: In a series of books [[ClicheStorm sure to resonate with readers of all ages]], two remarkable young siblings reach a magical land that defies description, [[{{Anvilicious}} learning a series of life lessons]] in the process of growing up and realizing their true destiny, [[InstantExpert learning new skills]] along the way, even as the young man [[WhatTheHellHero is corrupted by the powers of hell]]. Despite her young age, the author's [[WantonCrueltyToTheCommonComma stunning prose]], [[{{Narm}} creative dialogue]], [[FlatCharacter strong characterization]] and [[DesignatedHero relatable protagonists]] have earned her a small but [[SnarkBait dedicated fanbase]].

* [[spoiler: ''Literature/TheUglyBarnacle'']]: A poignant exploration of the tragedy of death and society's perceptions of beauty.

* [[spoiler:''Literature/{{Twilight}}'']]: A [[LowestCommonDenominator wildly popular]] series with a [[AudienceSurrogate highly relatable]] protagonist for [[{{Fangirl}} many young women]]. Can a [[MarySue vibrant, clever young woman]] and a [[BishieSparkle luminous]] [[OlderThanTheyLook young man]] from different worlds find happiness together despite the [[StarCrossedLovers considerable danger]] inherent in their union?

* [[spoiler:''Literature/{{Stardoc}}'']]: A VillainWithGoodPublicity uses a brilliant if [[JerkSue volatile]] surgeon's [[SympatheticSue messed-up upbringing]] and [[OppositeSexClone weird origin]] to get her declared a non-person... thus ''officially'' ruining relations between humanity and a ProudWarriorRace. Even in the far future, HumansAreBastards.

** Alternately: An intriguing [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot investigation]] of a society whose members are [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex devoted]] to finding [[ConvenientlyCommonKink enjoyment]] in even the most [[{{Squick}} unusual of practices]]. Particularly notable for its clever consideration of [[PlotHole maintaining a population in a land filled entirely with females,]] and also well-known for its [[AllGaysArePromiscuous portrayal]] of [[LipstickLesbian female homosexuality.]] This tale, packed with [[FlatCharacter skilled]] [[ThirtySuePileup characterization]] and [[BrainBleach touching,]] [[FetishRetardant sexy]] [[IKEAErotica love scenes]], is guaranteed to inspire [[NauseaFuel strong emotion]] and [[HeroicBSOD deep sadness]] in even the most coldhearted of readers.

* [[spoiler: ''The Maradonia Saga'']]: In a series of books [[ClicheStorm sure to resonate with readers of all ages]], two [[MarySue remarkable young siblings]] reach a magical land that defies description, [[{{Anvilicious}} learning a series of life lessons]] in the process of growing up and realizing their true destiny, [[InstantExpert learning new skills]] along the way, even as the young man [[WhatTheHellHero is corrupted by the powers of hell]]. Despite her young age, the author's [[WantonCrueltyToTheCommonComma stunning prose]], [[{{Narm}} creative dialogue]], [[FlatCharacter strong characterization]] and [[DesignatedHero relatable protagonists]] have earned her a small but [[SnarkBait dedicated fanbase]].

* [[spoiler: Literature/EffieBriest]] From the author of the most renowned travel guide to one of Central Europe's last untouched wildernisses of his era comes a tale of love, betrayal, romance and gender norms of the 19th century. Filled to the brim with resonant symbolism, duels, StarCrossedLovers and the dirty secrets of the highest rungs of society, this book is most notable for its daring and stunning last sentence. Required classroom reading.