Stories with Oomph

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Are there any books which you think had some added 'oomph', as in were powerful and sparked emotions or mental images? The ones that really make you stop and think, mourn for characters, and be sincerely glad if they pull through at the end and go on living peacefully?

 

The Death Gate Cycle by Weis and Hickman .

Also the Farseer Trilogy and the Tawny Man Trilogy by Robin Hobb .

 

I'll second that vote of Robin Hobb, I haven't read the other. Hobb is the only author to have had such an effect upon me.

 

Robin Hobb, yeah, especially The Farseer Trilogy. The others just don't seem to have the same effect. That series was completely unpredictble, whilst with The Tawny Man it seems quite obvious what will happen (though I haven't read the last book yet).

Also, The Hobbit, post Battle of the Five Armies.

 

A Song of Fire And Ice definitely.

 

Fantasy - LotR hit me bigtime with some of the 'oomph' and The Dark Elf Trilogy drew me in as well.

Non-fantasy - the only one so far which has really 'oomphed' me is Mick Foley's "Tietam Brown"

 

The Lone Drow hit me at one point.

 

Second that for A Song of Ice and Fire. I knew I missed something.

How could I have forgotten that one?

 

The Hyperion series by Dan Simmons. One of my favorites.

 

Yes, A Song of Ice and Fire. It has that special something.

 

The Power of one by Bryce Courtney was a most exeptional book but me being a South African, it most probably had special meaning for me.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes was also a good one that had feeling strong emotions.

!984 by Goerge Orwell.

On the Fantasy seen, I've got to agree with most people here and say, the Farseer trilogy. I've never seen anybody so horribly screwed. Whatever happened to, "and they lived happily ever after".

Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kusch (A short fantasy story)

Don't forget Oliver Twist's, "can I have some more please".

 

Yeah Power of One is great, I liked The Godfather a lot too.

 

Also, The Silmarillion had its oomphy moments. Fingolfin's duel with Morgoth and The Tale of Turambar come to mind.

 

To be honest, I thought Jordan's first book had that special something. Also, the chapter in "The Dragon Reborn" where Rand gets Callandor and fights with Balzamon was the best chapter in the series.

Chronicles was perhaps the best that I have read. Many emotional points in that trilogy. Found myself shedding a tear at the end of the second book.

 

Actually, in WOT for me the most Oomph was in "The Shadow Rising' where the lagacy of the Aiel was uncovered.

But of course, all of the first books were filled with moments like this, as was the one you mentioned christopher_c_pitzer.

I have been meaning to get A Song of Ice and Fire for some time now. I must hurry.

 

Just thought of another one: The Galactic Milieu Trilogy. Oomph pours out of those books.

Persevere

 

Hero in the Shadows by David Gemmell. Oomphy ending, oomphy scene in the Duke's home, oomphy bit outside Waylander's home with Chardyn, oomphy bits everywhere. I love that book.

 

The Serpentwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist, I just couldn't stand when;
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SPOILER
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Greylock died, he was one of the cooles characters in the series, and he dies from a freaking random bolt. It really made me sad, but not in a "damn this game is bad"-sad mood but in a "damn Viconia dies at the end of ToB"-sad mood.

I said it would be spoilers, didn't I?

 

When I think "Oomph", I think Edgar A. Poe!.. (never underestimate the Classics!)

Fantasy speaking- LOTR definitely, and the mentioned Farseer Trilogy deserves another vote..

 

Borgen på Fuji (The Fortress on Fuji or some such I'd guess)

It's a book written by a swede (Kenneth something I think). I loved it, still do. Has some powerful moments in it and a totally unforseen ending (at least imo).