Do you ever feel it's too much? The blood? The murder
weapons? The victims?
Tuesday I had a migraine. I took medicine and slept. I slept for
hours. I slept so deeply I didn't move. I also dreamed. I dreamt long, horrible,
murder-laced dreams. I dreamt in full-length movies, three-act plays, beginning-middle-and-end
books. I saw killings and chased murderers. I saw affairs (even
participated in one) and devastation.
I woke in a confused whorl of sweat, fear, and images and I knew
my sleep cinema was connected to the murder mysteries I had been reading. I
knew the children involved were escaped thoughts from Tom Rob Smith’s Child
44 and the social conflicts spillover from Agatha Christie's Peril
at End House. But how could I stop these dark scenarios from invading my
dreams? I read mysteries and thrillers before bed. That’s just what I do.
What about you? Do you ever substitute a self-help book for your
usual murder mystery? Do you occasionally refresh your mental state with
something lighter? Maybe regret a bit the direction in which your
interests lie?
I'll move past this. The imagery and feelings will fade. I won’t
keep the lights on when I sleep or worry what I’ll find behind my eyelids when
they close. After all, I may not have read more of Smith last night, but I
did devour more Christie. How could I not? Call me a leopard; that’s what
I do.
I don't read much murder mystery, nor crime in general. I usually prefer other types of books. Russian Classics are my favorite >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
I've put down a couple that I thought were particularly disturbing. I love Christie, but even her books have scared the life out of me a couple of times when I was susceptible to being frightened!
ReplyDeleteI dont read much murder mystery but I'm sure I'd have crazy dreams if I did. One scary movie and my brain goes into Boogieman overdrive.
ReplyDeleteI read lots of murder mysteries but I have walked away from a book and sometimes an author if I found they made me too uncomfortable. Anything involving hurting children is likely to do that.
ReplyDeleteCold--I've always been especially fascinated with Russia. I just finished a documentary series, 'The Art of Russia.' Exquisitely tragic and amazing!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth--Maybe that's why I went back to Christie? Like going home, in a way.
Karen--The funny thing is, I'm not usually squeamish. But keep kids safe--can't stand that!
Linda-- totally agree!
ReplyDeleteMichele - Wow, am I embarrassed that it took this long to read this post *blush*. How interesting that your dreams are so vivid and so deeply affected by what you read. You're so tuned in! I think writers write more engaging and absorbing work if they "tune in" like that...
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