For me, it was a book called ‘The Outsiders’ by S.E Hinton. It is known as a literary classic these days, but it was quite hard hitting when it was released back in the 1960s.
In a nut shell; It is about a group of semi-impoverished greaser friends growing up in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma, and all the life challenges they face, and how they react to prejudice against them whilst coping with family issues.
It was the first book that made me realise that some people in society don’t get it easy growing up, and I discovered what it meant to live on the ‘wrong side of town’ and what societal prejudice was. The outsiders was the first novel I read that brought up hard subjects like; domestic violence, alcoholism, street gang violence etc.
It was the first book to shatter my naive way of thinking about the world, at 13 years old! It is still one of my favourite stories to this day, and for all its slightly dark themes, I love the compassionate friendship and brotherhood that is displayed in this book!
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Really my first introduction to eastern higher thought after being raised southetn Baptist, so it definitely sparked a change in my world viewpoints.
Came here looking for this answer. I read it in 10th grade English and it changed my life. Grateful to Mrs. Berg for having me read it. I still have the report I wrote.
Definitely Siddhartha for me.
Around 9th/10th grade as well.
have you read anything from the eastern tradition since that you’ve found compelling? or do you just sit and listen now?