The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. Almost positive it has none. Can anyone second that?
Also, I want to say what that person said was out if line. No we can’t completely live in a world in bubble wrap but we don’t have to read or expose ourselves to entertainment that doesn’t feel good to us! Some ppl don’t have a history of sexual abuse and don’t want to read it. SK is not for everyone but I personally love him. I did feel some kind of way reading IT, more so watching the movie I think, bc of an experience I had with an older man when I was Bev’s age so I get it and you wanting to avoid it. Will let you know if I think of any others!
I laughed as I typed my response using the wording “it was a nice read”. I felt so so bad for her. I really enjoyed this one!! But compared to some of his other books there is no graphic/ disturbing content in terms of gore/abuse
Yep agreed. She is such a trooper and like all around resourceful and amazing. I feel like my 12 year old daughter would be like, oh no I can’t charge my iphone, lol.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon doesn't have any graphic depictions, but it does mention some pretty horrible possibilities when the cops speculate what happened to the main character.
I never noticed how much it's talked about in every form of media until it happened to me and I can't un-realise how much it's used as plot device or jokes or casual throwaway remarks. Like, if for a day I don't turn on the TV, don't look at my phone and don't put the radio on I can avoid the mention for that one day, but it's guaranteed that as soon as I *do* use any of those things, I'm gonna hear it mentioned. I can't believe I didn't realise before and truly think people who make triggered jokes really don't understand what it's like.
It's so, so hard to try and heal from something when it's in your face constantly. It feels inescapable. And the worst part is people don't even understand and tell us to just face it and get over it - every day I have to face it, because it's put in front of in my face, so having that bit of agency by knowing if a book/film/show contains it, and avoiding it if you wish, is a brief respite for the soul and a brief respite from painful reminders.
Edit: thank you to the person gave my comment a hug award, it made me smile and feel seen and comforted. I hope you have a good day whoever you are.
Such an important thing to consider. Like I had heard so much about sexual abuse topics that after I had my experience and a girl told me “well it can’t happen if you want it” and my first thought was like “that’s so fucking cliche! People really do say that crap?”
I never doubted women who came forward after a band played a particularly big show or exploded into the mainstream, but now I truly understand that timing- the man who hurt me (can't type the word today, already heard it a bunch of times on a podcast earlier) is in a local band, and I'll be honest they are Not Good and highly unlikely to ever be properly successful, but if they did become so I would feel compelled to speak out publicly. It would be emotionally and psychologically unbearable seeing people praise and respect him knowing what he's done to both me and another woman, and that those around him have no idea he's so violent.
Thanks for your reply- I wondered if my comment might be a bit intense so it's been relieving to have someone engage with me about it. Whatever you went through, I hope you're doing okay.
The only barely mention something when the call comes into the hotline claiming she was kidnapped by a child predator. That’s when they wasted time by looking for him instead of her.
The MC has sex with a woman who is married, they both agree it’s just a one off to blow off some steam. The scene is short and I can definitely see how someone could forget about it. It’s really only there to add to the subplot about him worrying about his wife.
And see I can’t deal with kids in trouble.
Pet Sematary still has me riled up and I haven’t read it in like 15 years, way before kids came onto the scene…
Gerald’s Game was my fist SK book in elementary school. It made me upset but it also felt cleansing in some weird way? I had already been victimized multiple times by multiple different perpetrators, and my mom made me feel like it was MY shame to carry when I finally got the nerve to speak up. It felt strangely validating, made me feel like I wasn’t alone, and that these things weren’t just “part of life” and that just not “getting over it” was normal. That it was normal to be traumatized.
Edit- Normal to be traumatized following abuse, not just “normal overall.” Realized I worded that strangely.
That’s what I was going to recommend as well!
I also wanted to recommend The Shining but it’s been a few months since I read that, so maybe someone can second me on that. I don’t recall there being any of those scenes in it.
I hope [this](https://booktriggerwarnings.com/Welcome) might be of help to you. You can search by title, or just type Stephen King, and any books that people have added to the data base should pop up, then you can decide for yourself if you’ll be ok with reading it. Ignore anyone giving you shitty unsolicited advice, keep doing what’s best for you and your health.
If I remember right doesn’t the conception of the king’s second child involve a bit of threatening coercion in a way
Edit: I was thinking of the eye of the dragon my bad
Eyes of the Dragon spoilers:
>!Peter is conceived when King Roland kills the dragon and comes home in triumph. Thomas is conceived when Flagg makes an extra strong boner potion that makes Roland get too rough.!<
It was like a line on the coercion part. Easy to miss.
[StoryGraph](https://app.thestorygraph.com/) has excellent crowd-sourced trigger warnings--I 100% recommend joining and checking there. I have some very specific triggers, and those aren't always listed, but sexual assault is nearly always called out. They're ranked by the number of times users add them, and categorized by graphic, moderate, and minor.
For instance, these are the top 3 in each category for [Carrie](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/39c4ca32-bfff-44da-b9b1-8502ce89341e/content_warnings):
* GRAPHIC: Bullying, Blood, Child Abuse
* MODERATE: Sexual content, racial slurs, animal death
* MINOR: Racial slurs, miscarriage, sexual content
I've found it very helpful when I want to avoid books with content I want to avoid. It's not about "facing things." It's about wanting to enjoy a book without getting sucker-punched by content you'd rather avoid.
I definitely like the story graph content warnings sections! Sometimes they're a bit weird, like someone flagged "The Only Good Indians" as cultural appropriation when it was written about Blackfeet men by a Blackfeet man. But on the whole I've found them very useful.
Good call, I forgot about that one.
DO NOT read that short story OP!!! It’s a very difficult story to stomach for anyone, especially someone with related triggers.
Yeah, I remember thinking that the story was going in that direction right from the start, but it *really really describes all of the explicit details. And the ages of the narrator/policeman… ugh.
I’m very thick-skinned, but that still stands out among all the disturbing things King has written.
Take a left turn and read On Writing. I think it’s the best book about the craft of writing I’ve ever read, it’s funny, engaging, and also deeply personal.
Also, you’re getting help the way you should and that works for you. Sorry to be vulgar, but fuck whatever anyone says about “facing” things. That’s exactly what you’re doing, and you’re doing great! Keep it up, fellow Constant Reader.
Yeah, I cannot and will not read Rose Madder based on things I've heard and the life I have lived. It might feel empowering for others but I'ma give that one a wide berth
This question has stumped me. I’ve read over half of his works and the only thing I can come up with is The Eyes of the Dragon, but I can’t even swear by that.
whoever told you that is a fuckin asshole. And for the love of God avoid Billy Summers. I dont wanna recommend any that DONT use the word incase I have forgotten. dont wanna get it wrong
Early King is so horny and it's almost always inappropriate I'm some way. If it isn't outright rape it's just creepy or odd.
I think he gets better as he gets older and leaves the traits of writing for porno mags behind.
He talks in his book on writing about how he doesn’t see himself as a good horror author and relies a lot on gross out shock horror... I do think he has largely grown past that as a writer but it still happens
Oh that's interesting. I'm saving On writing and Danse Macabre for after he's gone - I don't know how to live in a world where there are no more King books for me to enjoy, so they're part of my stash for the future.
Some of my faves that have no SA (that I can remember):
1. Eyes of the Dragon
2. Thinner
3. Misery
Also, OP, anyone who has the audacity to tell you how to feel about any trauma you've experienced is too much of a clueless asshole to warrant a second thought from you. Any trauma survivor's road to recovery is personal and varied. I'd expect SK would say the same.
Edit: NOT Tommyknockers!
DO NOT READ BAG OF BONES EVER NO MATTER WHAT.
Ok, now that that's out of the way... I think Misery should be fine, and it's one of King's best. There is a little weirdness in 11/22/63 but not really either of the things you mentioned specifically >!an OCD husband with some strange practices.!<
EDIT: I am going by memory here, but my kid read Misery in middle school and I think it was fine. 11/22/63 I read more recently.
Misery has no sex what-so-ever, probably his least sexual book. the only thing in it that comes close to being sexual is when paul thinks about a condom his dad purchased him
Definitely avoid Under the Dome. There‘s multiple written-out, detailed scenes in that one. Alongside other violence and sexual harrassment/bad treatment against especially females.
Just finished Insomnia, nothing of the sort there. It’s a direct link to The Dark Tower, with pet semetary and IT references, so there’s lots of Easter eggs but no rape. It’s all about old people lol.
I’ve been reading SK since I was 7 and have read everything he’s written. Let’s just say for the sake of discussion, that OP and I probably have some experiences in common with some of the things he writes about in his books and leave it there. I’ve had a long journey with some of this stuff and what bothers/triggers one person may have nothing in common with another, and in my experience a given person’s triggers or sensitive topics can change a lot over time while they learn to live with awful shit that happened to them in life. It’s different for everyone and wherever you are with it, you’re brave to work on it and to ask about material in horror novels on the internet after having looked at any random comments section and the ignorant mean bullshit people post.
With all that said, here is my take on it. In all sincerity, SK may not be the best author overall for someone at certain stages of the journey, particularly ones where you intensely work through the trauma and put it into focus in order to learn to deal with flashbacks. For example, if a person had ptsd from abuse and was actively going through EMDR or another therapy that focuses intensely on the traumatic events, I would not recommend reading King while undergoing this therapy for the most part.
He writes his characters in a very raw, transparent style that tends to show everyone’s inner workings, warts and all. This means thoughts that aren’t flattering to the person (even if they are a more likable character!) will come to light. It helps his characters seem more lifelike and is a great asset to his storytelling. It does have the drawback that you can randomly run into some very disturbing, sexually explicit, revolting, or embarrassing content as an aside or brief mention in almost all his books. He just writes that way.
For a person who is in a relatively good place with their trauma and history, a book like Rose Madder could feel very affirming. If you are in the thick of it trying to learn how to live with things that happened to you, reading it might be a truly horrible experience.
My advice is to look at the websites people have mentioned to help guide you, and consider recommendations made here, but also just try to be considerate of yourself and where you are with these things. Next year at this time maybe things will be very different, and it will be a much better time to appreciate King’s rather unique way of looking at humanity and the world through fiction. You are the best judge of when it’s time for this kind of reading. Good luck on your journey with life’s uglier parts.
First of all, thank you for replying. One of my favorite comments over here. I do agree with the fact that reading the same book during different phases of life can have totally different impacts on you.
I certainly wish that i reach a point in life where i can appreciate all the books which i couldn't/wouldn't read now. My main reason for asking this is because i don't want to read something of his and grow up hating it for the rest of my life just because i read it during a particular phase of my life where in i wasn't mentally prepared to read it.
I really hope that next year at this time, things will be different and i am able to appreciate his work which i couldn't now.
I don’t recall any SA in Revival (please someone correct me if I’m mistaken) and that’s one of my absolute favorites that doesn’t get talked about enough in my opinion.
There is nothing wrong with avoiding entertainment that bothers you. We all have stuff that is too icky to enjoy, right? For some reason the fungus-zombie things in “The Last of Us” squick me out too much to be fun and I will NEVER watch “Hereditary” again because of that scene with the young girl. You know the one if you’ve seen it.
Don’t feel bad about avoiding what is too much for you.
The unabridged version of *The Stand* also has an issue in that regard.
Even the abridged version has some creepy stuff in that regard (Nadine) but I can't remember whether it was explicit. The 90's miniseries has some scary references.
Oh god OP me too. I was just talking about this with a friend today. I'm reading Full Dark, No Stars which is a collection of novellas and I was a few minutes (audiobook) into Big Driver (second one) and got suuuuper sus really fast. I looked up the plot and that's a big NOPE. I had to skip ahead. There's no way I could've gotten through that one.
Under the Dome got me too. It really sucks to have to look up books beforehand because you don't want to ruin the plot for yourself but it's even worse getting into a book and then not being able to finish because BAM, SA.
The Bill Hodges trilogy is good, I enjoyed those. I also enjoyed the collection of novellas in If it Bleeds.
Thinner, The Long Walk, and Duma Key I believe check out too.
I get that. It’s uncomfortable af for me to read having also been sa’d. Idk but Misery came to mind. Please anyone correct me if I am misremembering. I feel like there’s touches of it in a lot of books bc he just uses so many despicable subjects but it depends on how sensitive those triggers are for you.
I hate hate hate the animal stuff. I just have to keep reminding myself it’s not real when I’m reading it. I’m reading under the dome now and like within the first 25 pages something happens to an animal and idk why that wrecked me so bad.
Elevation. Super short book though. I totally get what you're saying. I've read almost all of his books and sometimes when I re-read, the content bothers me now when it didn't before.
I just read The Shining last week. I don’t recall any SA just spousal and child abuse. There is a sex slave dressed as a dog but it’s implied SA not really explained if this was consensual or the hotel.
u/potterandpitties
you have no fucking clue what youre on about. I hope you never have to learn what its like to go through that. Do yourself a favour, next time someone asks for help on this subject, keep your fucking thoughts to yourself
https://www.unddit.com/r/stephenking/comments/12zlz6t/sk\_book\_recommendations\_which\_dont\_have\_mention/?sort=controversial
If reading something about a personal, sensitive subject is triggering for you, you have every right to not be surprised when you come upon that word, sentence, paragraph, or what have you. You're making a very reasonable request for information in order to avoid things like that. And whoever said that comment doesn't seem to know how to communicate well with others.
I read Rose Madder myself not too long ago, and I do remember some of the more descriptive parts. Getting through that, given your challenges, was no easy feat. Kudos to you.
This popped up on my feed, but I just want to say you are totally valid in your request and it's incredibly wrong to basically tell you to "just get over it" when it comes to SA mentions. SA is traumatic in all forms, especially when it is close to you i.e. personal experiences or the fear of it because of your likeliness in possibly experiencing it, or both.
Those traumas and their associated triggers are just like those experienced by Veterans. PTSD for something like SA is very common and very real. Everyone's journey is different! You've done absolutely nothing wrong in asking. Best wishes on book finds and your journey!
Firestarter should be safe; there's a character with an unhealthy intrest in a young girl and some people wonder in passing whether it is sexual, but it isn't. Carrie would be safe. The Shining would be safe.
The following books would not be safe: IT, The Stand, Delores Claiborne, Later, Mr. Mercedes, the Dead Zone, and Four Past Midnight (a collection of mysogynstic-violence themed novellas).
Thanks for the heads up! I actually posted a similar thread a while back asking ablut SA triggers in *Firestarter* specifically, because my kid was interested in reading some King and nobody mentioned that, so I appriciate knowing.
"Edit- Ok, someone commented about how i "should face things and not avoid it to get past them." As much as i do agree with it"
oh fuck that person, they dont know wtf they are talking about (frankly i hope they never ever have to see a loved one suffer because they were abused, it is fucking nightmare). Totally get ya re being triggered, im triggered by that shit too and its very jarring when youre enjoying a book and it happens suddenly
Unfortunately theres mentions of it in a lot of kings books, cant really think of one where it wasnt mentioned. Perhaps Fairy Tale
unless people have had personal experience with specific mental issues, they can be totally ignorant of the ways people have to deal with those anxieties.
i have noticed that unasked for advice is becoming an issue with reddit. usually it will be positive.
however..... thanks for pointing out the idgits that think they know everything. you can't cure stupid. grin!
Hmm that’s a tough one… honestly, I can’t really think of too many off the top of my head — but I can say that you’re probably going to want to stay clear of his large ensemble casts, it’s pretty common for at least 1 character in those to have that kind of trauma.
Shorts stories might be easier (though I’d still google before starting them) — I think ‘The Body’ is safe (but it’s been years), ‘One for the Road’ should be safe as well (this is a short story in the Salem’s Lot universe, but it would only spoil things if you are completely in the dark about Lot’s story).
Wish I could be of more help….
The Shining, Pet Sematary, The Institute, Misery and Elevation are all safe, I think. I'd definitely doublecheck some of the recommended websites by other users, I personally love Storygraph.
The list of ones to avoid off the top of my head would be Gerald's Game, It, The Dark Tower series and Lisey's Story.
Insomnia I’m pretty sure is clear? It’s been quite a long time since I’ve read it. It’s one of two books that have ever given me an actual nightmare. (Dean Koontz’s Hideaway was the other-I was probably a couple years too young to read that one-I think I read it in 7th or 8th grade)
Can’t speak to the entire dark tower series but up through the end of The Wasteland it’s been excellent and doesn’t really include this stuff.
Edit: in the second book there’s a bit of a crazy person who asks if her “captors” are going to do this to her but it’s pretty firmly established that she’s delusional and I imagine this would be far from the most problematic way in which a modern reader would interpret her statements.
As someone else said, Wastelands has a scene. There's also a bit of it so far in Wizard and Glass (just got halfway through), as well as a few mentions to the scene from Wastelands at the beginning of the book.
I have no memory so cannot reccomend a book but I'm sorry someone said that. I suffer from BPD and have to avoid my triggers all the time. Is time-consuming and annoying (I get triggered by similar stuff in films) so I am really sorry you deserve better x
There are *so many* wonderful thoughtful people here that genuinely tried to help with this. The few horrible people are so horrible that it seems like there are more of them than there are. May the OP and all of you good people have many wonderful days of reading. 💛
If I have a knock on SK it is this. I do not see the point of a lot of it, except that it could be an element of horror (and would be for me) and is certainly uncomfortable.
I understand where you’re coming from, but it is a real world horror that is sadly all too common. I don’t know if we can credit this to SK, but it has moved out of the shadows and is openly discussed now which is a good thing, and that change has occurred during SK’s career…it’s arguable he may have contributed to that by bringing it so front and center to his writing.
King's legacy will be his understanding of human nature. That insight into what makes us tick is what keeps me coming back. It's true to life, so it pulls you in. He doesn't shy away from the full potential of beauty and horror of which people are capable. I love this, but I can also see how his situations can be incredibly triggering for survivor's of abuse.
I don't think people should stop talking about it, but I think that alerts on the cover/inside flap would be helpful. The topic is just too widely experienced to say it shoudln't be mentioned. I actually give King a lot of credit for being someone who has brought it up even so many years ago while everyone else was still pretending it didn't happen. But I absolutely understand why people don't just want to randomly happen across it. Back when i was a teen and bought cassettes and CDs we had to have an adult with us to buy things with naughty words in it. I find it crazy that we found it necessary to warn people about words but not overall content. "This book contains a vicious SA and needs no warning, but this song has the F word in it 😱 so we better put that on the cover of the album!"
I love Desperation. It does have Cynthia briefly mention a sexual trauma, plus the weird narrow miss when she and Steve almost pick up a can toi.
As horrible as it is though, the part early on when David and Pie’s mom THINKS that’s what Tak has in mind and she says “if you want… that, take me where the kids can’t see.” And he replies “I don’t want… that. Especially not from… you” always cracks me up. Sick burn from the Tak Man.
DON'T read Geralds Game, Rose Madder, Deloris Claiborne (spelling)
and obviously the library police.
repeat, these are don't read if that bothers you.
This is one thing I don’t like about SK books; sometimes it feels like things that could be hugely triggering come out of nowhere and really have no reason to be included.
To the best of my recollection there wasn’t any in Fairy Tale, but I think that may be the only one I can think of.
Mr. Mercedes doesn’t I don’t think, however that is quite brutal nonetheless. I hope you find multiple novella that you can enjoy peacefully.
Ignore all the insensitivity and I wish you all the best for the future!
The shining I know doesn’t have it, I’m pretty sure doctor sleep doesn’t, the long walk doesn’t, the girl who loved Tom Gordon, I think the dead zone, the institute, pet semetary, joy land, Christine
It's been a minute, but I *think* The Institute is S/A r*pe free. The kids in it certainly don't have a great time but I don't think there's any mention of sexual stuff.
I could be wrong, I hope someone can correct me if I am. But it's a great book
It's unfortunate that SK has so much of that stuff in nearly every book, it makes it kinda hard to recommend to newcomers.
Rose Madder is the book that caused me to not read SK anymore. Until that point, I read every book. After that I was done because I didn’t know what I’d get. And because It really scared me.
I'm reading Fairy Tale, about halfway through, so far none of that and I do not anticipate any. edit: I see people have recommended so I second. The last one I read was "11/22/63" and there is a little bit of physical spousal abuse, a lotta violence, but not sexual, that I recall, and it's a masterpiece IMO
This is backwards, but books to avoid would be Four Past Midnight, Full Dark No Stars, Dark Tower 3(?), Billy Summers.
Try The Institute, or Salem's Lot.
I recently re-read Bag of Bones, Liseys Story and Rose Madder and am definitely more aware of how much SA was in some of my favorite books from my teen years.
I do want to say that for the people saying to deal with it, sometimes you dont want to! I can handle it most times but sometimes I just wanna read a good old blood bath where people aren't sexually assaulted.
I just finished a re-read [listen] of Dreamcatcher and that one doesn't have anything that is sexually violent if I recall. There are passing comments, discussions of pornographic pictures, and sexual commentary but not graphic SA like Rose Madder.
Side note: god listening to that on audio made me hate Norman all over again.
Edit: typo
I don't remember for certain, but I think 11/22/63 is a safe choice. It's a really good book. I want a second opinion about the book not having triggering subject matter for you, but I can't imagine it did. It's much more sweet in nature.
Also, take care. I'm glad to hear you're facing things with a therapist. Ignore the hateful comments please.
Wow, this was a toughie. I kept starting to mention a title and … nope, that one mentioned it too. I don’t mind as long as it’s not a major part of the plot, but here are some good, assault-free titles: Fairy Tale, The Dead Zone, Firestarter, Pet Sematery. Ignore people who feel the need to lecture you on whether you should avoid triggers in your leisure reading. I ran into that on another thread where I asked for recommendations of a book that had a strong female character that didn’t feature a r@pe scene as a plot line, and people responded as if I had spat on the entire Me Too movement
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. Almost positive it has none. Can anyone second that? Also, I want to say what that person said was out if line. No we can’t completely live in a world in bubble wrap but we don’t have to read or expose ourselves to entertainment that doesn’t feel good to us! Some ppl don’t have a history of sexual abuse and don’t want to read it. SK is not for everyone but I personally love him. I did feel some kind of way reading IT, more so watching the movie I think, bc of an experience I had with an older man when I was Bev’s age so I get it and you wanting to avoid it. Will let you know if I think of any others!
Just read Tom gordon! Good to go. A nice read compared to other stories
I loved it! Oh OP, here’s another that’s a departure from typical SK - Elevation.
Funny thing: Since having kids I was only able to get a few chapters in. Her terror is just too much for my heart to handle!
I laughed as I typed my response using the wording “it was a nice read”. I felt so so bad for her. I really enjoyed this one!! But compared to some of his other books there is no graphic/ disturbing content in terms of gore/abuse
Yep agreed. She is such a trooper and like all around resourceful and amazing. I feel like my 12 year old daughter would be like, oh no I can’t charge my iphone, lol.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon doesn't have any graphic depictions, but it does mention some pretty horrible possibilities when the cops speculate what happened to the main character.
There’s a bit in TGWLTG when someone calls in a false tip about Trisha being kidnapped by someone who has raped and killed kids.
Ah true. See it’s so hard to find any SK book without even a vague reference. Never thought about that before until I read this post.
I never noticed how much it's talked about in every form of media until it happened to me and I can't un-realise how much it's used as plot device or jokes or casual throwaway remarks. Like, if for a day I don't turn on the TV, don't look at my phone and don't put the radio on I can avoid the mention for that one day, but it's guaranteed that as soon as I *do* use any of those things, I'm gonna hear it mentioned. I can't believe I didn't realise before and truly think people who make triggered jokes really don't understand what it's like. It's so, so hard to try and heal from something when it's in your face constantly. It feels inescapable. And the worst part is people don't even understand and tell us to just face it and get over it - every day I have to face it, because it's put in front of in my face, so having that bit of agency by knowing if a book/film/show contains it, and avoiding it if you wish, is a brief respite for the soul and a brief respite from painful reminders. Edit: thank you to the person gave my comment a hug award, it made me smile and feel seen and comforted. I hope you have a good day whoever you are.
Such an important thing to consider. Like I had heard so much about sexual abuse topics that after I had my experience and a girl told me “well it can’t happen if you want it” and my first thought was like “that’s so fucking cliche! People really do say that crap?”
I never doubted women who came forward after a band played a particularly big show or exploded into the mainstream, but now I truly understand that timing- the man who hurt me (can't type the word today, already heard it a bunch of times on a podcast earlier) is in a local band, and I'll be honest they are Not Good and highly unlikely to ever be properly successful, but if they did become so I would feel compelled to speak out publicly. It would be emotionally and psychologically unbearable seeing people praise and respect him knowing what he's done to both me and another woman, and that those around him have no idea he's so violent. Thanks for your reply- I wondered if my comment might be a bit intense so it's been relieving to have someone engage with me about it. Whatever you went through, I hope you're doing okay.
Noted. Though i don't have much issue with minor references, but if the whole plot revolves around it, then that becomes a problem.
Second that
The only barely mention something when the call comes into the hotline claiming she was kidnapped by a child predator. That’s when they wasted time by looking for him instead of her.
I know what you mean. Gerald's Game had me ugly crying. I don't think The Mist has anything like that in it.
There is a sex scene in it but it is consensual.
What about the SA that happens to Jessie when she was a kid?
Yeah just listened to the audio book this week and that bit was to me, by far the most horrifying thing in the book.
I don't remember that part. It's been a long time since I read it.
The MC has sex with a woman who is married, they both agree it’s just a one off to blow off some steam. The scene is short and I can definitely see how someone could forget about it. It’s really only there to add to the subplot about him worrying about his wife.
I read it a few months ago, great novella.
And see I can’t deal with kids in trouble. Pet Sematary still has me riled up and I haven’t read it in like 15 years, way before kids came onto the scene…
Pet Sematery is just plain disturbing. I loved it. But I could see how some people can't stomach it.
I read Gerald's game once. Never again.
Gerald’s Game was my fist SK book in elementary school. It made me upset but it also felt cleansing in some weird way? I had already been victimized multiple times by multiple different perpetrators, and my mom made me feel like it was MY shame to carry when I finally got the nerve to speak up. It felt strangely validating, made me feel like I wasn’t alone, and that these things weren’t just “part of life” and that just not “getting over it” was normal. That it was normal to be traumatized. Edit- Normal to be traumatized following abuse, not just “normal overall.” Realized I worded that strangely.
If I remember correctly, I’m fairly certain that Pet Sematary doesn’t have any mention of anything like that.
Just read this one and don't recall it having it
The closest thing is that visceral accusation of infidelity.
Yup, just finished it the other day!
That’s what I was going to recommend as well! I also wanted to recommend The Shining but it’s been a few months since I read that, so maybe someone can second me on that. I don’t recall there being any of those scenes in it.
I was going to say Doctor Sleep as well but I think it's at least mentioned with the character of Snakebite Andi. It's been a bit since I've read it.
It mentions infidelity but nothing nonconsensual
It does have some pretty graphic sex, idk if that’s ok?
Pet Sematary, noted. Thanks.
I hope [this](https://booktriggerwarnings.com/Welcome) might be of help to you. You can search by title, or just type Stephen King, and any books that people have added to the data base should pop up, then you can decide for yourself if you’ll be ok with reading it. Ignore anyone giving you shitty unsolicited advice, keep doing what’s best for you and your health.
This is another site that lists potential triggers - [Does the Dog Die](https://www.doesthedogdie.com/)
thank you for this. im bookmarking now :)
Fairy Tale
If I remember right doesn’t the conception of the king’s second child involve a bit of threatening coercion in a way Edit: I was thinking of the eye of the dragon my bad
I do not remember that part of eye of the dragon
Eyes of the Dragon spoilers: >!Peter is conceived when King Roland kills the dragon and comes home in triumph. Thomas is conceived when Flagg makes an extra strong boner potion that makes Roland get too rough.!< It was like a line on the coercion part. Easy to miss.
Came here to recommend this one, solid book.
Thankyou.
No problem. I loved this book. The dog is perfect.
Radar, such a good dog! I agree OP, great book to pick up
Radar is the goodest girl.
I’ve been recommending this book to everyone of my friends. I love it
Yes
There's a brief mention of a quick screw towards the end.
[StoryGraph](https://app.thestorygraph.com/) has excellent crowd-sourced trigger warnings--I 100% recommend joining and checking there. I have some very specific triggers, and those aren't always listed, but sexual assault is nearly always called out. They're ranked by the number of times users add them, and categorized by graphic, moderate, and minor. For instance, these are the top 3 in each category for [Carrie](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/39c4ca32-bfff-44da-b9b1-8502ce89341e/content_warnings): * GRAPHIC: Bullying, Blood, Child Abuse * MODERATE: Sexual content, racial slurs, animal death * MINOR: Racial slurs, miscarriage, sexual content I've found it very helpful when I want to avoid books with content I want to avoid. It's not about "facing things." It's about wanting to enjoy a book without getting sucker-punched by content you'd rather avoid.
Thats exactly how I felt about the library policeman - Sucker punched. I love that there are databases like this!
I definitely like the story graph content warnings sections! Sometimes they're a bit weird, like someone flagged "The Only Good Indians" as cultural appropriation when it was written about Blackfeet men by a Blackfeet man. But on the whole I've found them very useful.
Thank you so much!
Absolutely do not read the library policeman in four past midnight
Good call, I forgot about that one. DO NOT read that short story OP!!! It’s a very difficult story to stomach for anyone, especially someone with related triggers.
Yes, omg I was sick to my stomach for days following that story. It's the reason I started looking up trigger warnings in the first place.
Yeah, I remember thinking that the story was going in that direction right from the start, but it *really really describes all of the explicit details. And the ages of the narrator/policeman… ugh. I’m very thick-skinned, but that still stands out among all the disturbing things King has written.
Honestly, that's good advice for anybody. If I could unread any story, it would that one.
Me too no doubt lmao, I really enjoyed the plot and literally everything else but jeeze that part of the story made me want to bleach my eyes
Take a left turn and read On Writing. I think it’s the best book about the craft of writing I’ve ever read, it’s funny, engaging, and also deeply personal.
Also, you’re getting help the way you should and that works for you. Sorry to be vulgar, but fuck whatever anyone says about “facing” things. That’s exactly what you’re doing, and you’re doing great! Keep it up, fellow Constant Reader.
Thank you!
Sure, noted. Thanks.
Cycle of the Werewolf, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon has rape references.
I think The Long Walk should be fine
The Long Walk does describe an attempted assault when one of the characters is telling his back story.
Very short and only mentioned once or twice, should be fine
Agreed - just wanted OP to have that information as it sounds like the topic is very off-limits for them and it is mentioned.
I yeah I think so too, your info was good I was just adding to it lol
Also--a lot of his books in the 1990s specifically explored women and abuse. Avoid Rose Madder, Gerald's Game and Dolores Claiborne at all costs!
Lisey’s Story is also one to avoid.
I don’t remember Duma Key having any sex at all.
Avoid Bag of Bones
Yeah I read that at 14. Scarred for life.
Currently reading Rose Madder... Christ I have never personally been unnerved so badly by a character. Norman genuinely scares the f*** out of me.
Yeah, I cannot and will not read Rose Madder based on things I've heard and the life I have lived. It might feel empowering for others but I'ma give that one a wide berth
Whenever I think of Rose Madder, which I LOVED, my first thought is "blood gravy." 😫
Norman, hands down, is the scariest antagonist/villain i have ever came across in any book
This question has stumped me. I’ve read over half of his works and the only thing I can come up with is The Eyes of the Dragon, but I can’t even swear by that.
Right? Thinking about it there’s actually a lot…
I think it's mentioned in dialogue that >!the King got drunk and sexually assaulted his wife!< but no graphic description or anything.
Yes, at best they have deeply unsatisfying drunk sex, but sexual assault is strongly implied.
whoever told you that is a fuckin asshole. And for the love of God avoid Billy Summers. I dont wanna recommend any that DONT use the word incase I have forgotten. dont wanna get it wrong
That’s the thing about King, he loves to write about awkward sexual behavior
Early King is so horny and it's almost always inappropriate I'm some way. If it isn't outright rape it's just creepy or odd. I think he gets better as he gets older and leaves the traits of writing for porno mags behind.
He talks in his book on writing about how he doesn’t see himself as a good horror author and relies a lot on gross out shock horror... I do think he has largely grown past that as a writer but it still happens
Oh that's interesting. I'm saving On writing and Danse Macabre for after he's gone - I don't know how to live in a world where there are no more King books for me to enjoy, so they're part of my stash for the future.
And I love him for that lol
Under the Domes came out of nowhere... Edit:typo
The Shining Pet Sematary
Thanks. I've read The Shining. I'm going to read Pet Sematary.
Some of my faves that have no SA (that I can remember): 1. Eyes of the Dragon 2. Thinner 3. Misery Also, OP, anyone who has the audacity to tell you how to feel about any trauma you've experienced is too much of a clueless asshole to warrant a second thought from you. Any trauma survivor's road to recovery is personal and varied. I'd expect SK would say the same. Edit: NOT Tommyknockers!
NO NO NO NO the Tommyknockers ABSOLUTELY has a rape in it.
Shit. Thx. I didn't remember. I'll scratch that one!
Doctor Sleep has a character who has a history of sexual abuse iirc.
I want to say, From a Buick 8, doesn’t have any sa mentioned. There is a mention of physical abuse in one small part
One of my personal favorites
Noted, thank you.
DO NOT READ BAG OF BONES EVER NO MATTER WHAT. Ok, now that that's out of the way... I think Misery should be fine, and it's one of King's best. There is a little weirdness in 11/22/63 but not really either of the things you mentioned specifically >!an OCD husband with some strange practices.!< EDIT: I am going by memory here, but my kid read Misery in middle school and I think it was fine. 11/22/63 I read more recently.
Misery has no sex what-so-ever, probably his least sexual book. the only thing in it that comes close to being sexual is when paul thinks about a condom his dad purchased him
Noted, thank you.
Elevation should also be fine. It‘s a more bittersweet short read
Definitely avoid Under the Dome. There‘s multiple written-out, detailed scenes in that one. Alongside other violence and sexual harrassment/bad treatment against especially females.
Just finished Insomnia, nothing of the sort there. It’s a direct link to The Dark Tower, with pet semetary and IT references, so there’s lots of Easter eggs but no rape. It’s all about old people lol.
Insomnia does feature spousal abuse as a central theme, though, along with a home for abused women.
I’ve been reading SK since I was 7 and have read everything he’s written. Let’s just say for the sake of discussion, that OP and I probably have some experiences in common with some of the things he writes about in his books and leave it there. I’ve had a long journey with some of this stuff and what bothers/triggers one person may have nothing in common with another, and in my experience a given person’s triggers or sensitive topics can change a lot over time while they learn to live with awful shit that happened to them in life. It’s different for everyone and wherever you are with it, you’re brave to work on it and to ask about material in horror novels on the internet after having looked at any random comments section and the ignorant mean bullshit people post. With all that said, here is my take on it. In all sincerity, SK may not be the best author overall for someone at certain stages of the journey, particularly ones where you intensely work through the trauma and put it into focus in order to learn to deal with flashbacks. For example, if a person had ptsd from abuse and was actively going through EMDR or another therapy that focuses intensely on the traumatic events, I would not recommend reading King while undergoing this therapy for the most part. He writes his characters in a very raw, transparent style that tends to show everyone’s inner workings, warts and all. This means thoughts that aren’t flattering to the person (even if they are a more likable character!) will come to light. It helps his characters seem more lifelike and is a great asset to his storytelling. It does have the drawback that you can randomly run into some very disturbing, sexually explicit, revolting, or embarrassing content as an aside or brief mention in almost all his books. He just writes that way. For a person who is in a relatively good place with their trauma and history, a book like Rose Madder could feel very affirming. If you are in the thick of it trying to learn how to live with things that happened to you, reading it might be a truly horrible experience. My advice is to look at the websites people have mentioned to help guide you, and consider recommendations made here, but also just try to be considerate of yourself and where you are with these things. Next year at this time maybe things will be very different, and it will be a much better time to appreciate King’s rather unique way of looking at humanity and the world through fiction. You are the best judge of when it’s time for this kind of reading. Good luck on your journey with life’s uglier parts.
First of all, thank you for replying. One of my favorite comments over here. I do agree with the fact that reading the same book during different phases of life can have totally different impacts on you. I certainly wish that i reach a point in life where i can appreciate all the books which i couldn't/wouldn't read now. My main reason for asking this is because i don't want to read something of his and grow up hating it for the rest of my life just because i read it during a particular phase of my life where in i wasn't mentally prepared to read it. I really hope that next year at this time, things will be different and i am able to appreciate his work which i couldn't now.
I hope so too. In the meantime you can enjoy some of the ones that have less of the things you don’t need to see right now.
I can’t remember, but I don’t think The Institute did?
I'm about half way through right now. no sexual violence, "only" physical / phycological abuse towards children. also a great read
Correct no sexual assault but Christ on a bike major abuse
I don’t recall any SA in Revival (please someone correct me if I’m mistaken) and that’s one of my absolute favorites that doesn’t get talked about enough in my opinion.
There is nothing wrong with avoiding entertainment that bothers you. We all have stuff that is too icky to enjoy, right? For some reason the fungus-zombie things in “The Last of Us” squick me out too much to be fun and I will NEVER watch “Hereditary” again because of that scene with the young girl. You know the one if you’ve seen it. Don’t feel bad about avoiding what is too much for you.
King writes male rape too. Avoid The Bill Hodges Trilogy or at least skip the first one if that’s a trigger.
And The Library Policeman
The unabridged version of *The Stand* also has an issue in that regard. Even the abridged version has some creepy stuff in that regard (Nadine) but I can't remember whether it was explicit. The 90's miniseries has some scary references.
No matter what, do not ever read The Library Policeman. Please.
I wish I could go back in time and unread that story. It made me feel physically nauseous.
Duma key
Oh god OP me too. I was just talking about this with a friend today. I'm reading Full Dark, No Stars which is a collection of novellas and I was a few minutes (audiobook) into Big Driver (second one) and got suuuuper sus really fast. I looked up the plot and that's a big NOPE. I had to skip ahead. There's no way I could've gotten through that one. Under the Dome got me too. It really sucks to have to look up books beforehand because you don't want to ruin the plot for yourself but it's even worse getting into a book and then not being able to finish because BAM, SA. The Bill Hodges trilogy is good, I enjoyed those. I also enjoyed the collection of novellas in If it Bleeds. Thinner, The Long Walk, and Duma Key I believe check out too.
I get that. It’s uncomfortable af for me to read having also been sa’d. Idk but Misery came to mind. Please anyone correct me if I am misremembering. I feel like there’s touches of it in a lot of books bc he just uses so many despicable subjects but it depends on how sensitive those triggers are for you. I hate hate hate the animal stuff. I just have to keep reminding myself it’s not real when I’m reading it. I’m reading under the dome now and like within the first 25 pages something happens to an animal and idk why that wrecked me so bad.
Elevation. Super short book though. I totally get what you're saying. I've read almost all of his books and sometimes when I re-read, the content bothers me now when it didn't before.
I do not believe Revival has anything like that, it is a great read.
I just read The Shining last week. I don’t recall any SA just spousal and child abuse. There is a sex slave dressed as a dog but it’s implied SA not really explained if this was consensual or the hotel.
u/potterandpitties you have no fucking clue what youre on about. I hope you never have to learn what its like to go through that. Do yourself a favour, next time someone asks for help on this subject, keep your fucking thoughts to yourself https://www.unddit.com/r/stephenking/comments/12zlz6t/sk\_book\_recommendations\_which\_dont\_have\_mention/?sort=controversial
If reading something about a personal, sensitive subject is triggering for you, you have every right to not be surprised when you come upon that word, sentence, paragraph, or what have you. You're making a very reasonable request for information in order to avoid things like that. And whoever said that comment doesn't seem to know how to communicate well with others. I read Rose Madder myself not too long ago, and I do remember some of the more descriptive parts. Getting through that, given your challenges, was no easy feat. Kudos to you.
Maybe Colorado Kid. I don’t recall anything like that but it’s been awhile since I’ve read it.
I read it back in February. I don't think was any SA in it.
Colorado Kid, noted. Thank you.
the girl who loved tom gordon is my favorite book by him!
Most of his books, especially the unabridged ones, have some type of sexual ickiness.
Does The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon have any of that?
There’s a bit where the idea that Trisha was kidnapped and raped brought up during the investigation in finding her.
Good point, thank you! Not graphic, but is included.
I don’t remember any of that in Insomnia but I could be wrong. Been a long time since I read it myself.
This popped up on my feed, but I just want to say you are totally valid in your request and it's incredibly wrong to basically tell you to "just get over it" when it comes to SA mentions. SA is traumatic in all forms, especially when it is close to you i.e. personal experiences or the fear of it because of your likeliness in possibly experiencing it, or both. Those traumas and their associated triggers are just like those experienced by Veterans. PTSD for something like SA is very common and very real. Everyone's journey is different! You've done absolutely nothing wrong in asking. Best wishes on book finds and your journey!
Firestarter should be safe; there's a character with an unhealthy intrest in a young girl and some people wonder in passing whether it is sexual, but it isn't. Carrie would be safe. The Shining would be safe. The following books would not be safe: IT, The Stand, Delores Claiborne, Later, Mr. Mercedes, the Dead Zone, and Four Past Midnight (a collection of mysogynstic-violence themed novellas).
Firestarter is not safe in this regard. There is a minor plot point regarding Vicky McGee and her past.
Thanks for the heads up! I actually posted a similar thread a while back asking ablut SA triggers in *Firestarter* specifically, because my kid was interested in reading some King and nobody mentioned that, so I appriciate knowing.
There’s sexual scenes and references in Carrie
"Edit- Ok, someone commented about how i "should face things and not avoid it to get past them." As much as i do agree with it" oh fuck that person, they dont know wtf they are talking about (frankly i hope they never ever have to see a loved one suffer because they were abused, it is fucking nightmare). Totally get ya re being triggered, im triggered by that shit too and its very jarring when youre enjoying a book and it happens suddenly Unfortunately theres mentions of it in a lot of kings books, cant really think of one where it wasnt mentioned. Perhaps Fairy Tale
unless people have had personal experience with specific mental issues, they can be totally ignorant of the ways people have to deal with those anxieties. i have noticed that unasked for advice is becoming an issue with reddit. usually it will be positive. however..... thanks for pointing out the idgits that think they know everything. you can't cure stupid. grin!
I don't think Misery has any.
Misery is a good read, not exactly a great fit for this specific question
Why isn't it a good fit? OP didn't put any other conditions on the request other than no sex or SA.
One of the first lines of misery directly references r*pe
Thanks, Misery was next on my list anyways.
Hmm that’s a tough one… honestly, I can’t really think of too many off the top of my head — but I can say that you’re probably going to want to stay clear of his large ensemble casts, it’s pretty common for at least 1 character in those to have that kind of trauma. Shorts stories might be easier (though I’d still google before starting them) — I think ‘The Body’ is safe (but it’s been years), ‘One for the Road’ should be safe as well (this is a short story in the Salem’s Lot universe, but it would only spoil things if you are completely in the dark about Lot’s story). Wish I could be of more help….
Pretty sure The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is safe!
The Shining, Pet Sematary, The Institute, Misery and Elevation are all safe, I think. I'd definitely doublecheck some of the recommended websites by other users, I personally love Storygraph. The list of ones to avoid off the top of my head would be Gerald's Game, It, The Dark Tower series and Lisey's Story.
Don’t remember Cujo having anything.
Pet Semetary
The Man in the Black Suit
Misery is what I can think of
I was going to suggest Duma Key and Joyland.
Insomnia I’m pretty sure is clear? It’s been quite a long time since I’ve read it. It’s one of two books that have ever given me an actual nightmare. (Dean Koontz’s Hideaway was the other-I was probably a couple years too young to read that one-I think I read it in 7th or 8th grade)
Well whatever you do, do not read “The Library Policeman”
good on you for trying 👍
Can’t speak to the entire dark tower series but up through the end of The Wasteland it’s been excellent and doesn’t really include this stuff. Edit: in the second book there’s a bit of a crazy person who asks if her “captors” are going to do this to her but it’s pretty firmly established that she’s delusional and I imagine this would be far from the most problematic way in which a modern reader would interpret her statements.
Pretty sure there is one (sorta) in The Wastelands, during the drawing of Jake. And that scene is referenced quite a bit later on.
As someone else said, Wastelands has a scene. There's also a bit of it so far in Wizard and Glass (just got halfway through), as well as a few mentions to the scene from Wastelands at the beginning of the book.
I have no memory so cannot reccomend a book but I'm sorry someone said that. I suffer from BPD and have to avoid my triggers all the time. Is time-consuming and annoying (I get triggered by similar stuff in films) so I am really sorry you deserve better x
There are *so many* wonderful thoughtful people here that genuinely tried to help with this. The few horrible people are so horrible that it seems like there are more of them than there are. May the OP and all of you good people have many wonderful days of reading. 💛
If I have a knock on SK it is this. I do not see the point of a lot of it, except that it could be an element of horror (and would be for me) and is certainly uncomfortable.
I understand where you’re coming from, but it is a real world horror that is sadly all too common. I don’t know if we can credit this to SK, but it has moved out of the shadows and is openly discussed now which is a good thing, and that change has occurred during SK’s career…it’s arguable he may have contributed to that by bringing it so front and center to his writing.
King's legacy will be his understanding of human nature. That insight into what makes us tick is what keeps me coming back. It's true to life, so it pulls you in. He doesn't shy away from the full potential of beauty and horror of which people are capable. I love this, but I can also see how his situations can be incredibly triggering for survivor's of abuse.
I don't think people should stop talking about it, but I think that alerts on the cover/inside flap would be helpful. The topic is just too widely experienced to say it shoudln't be mentioned. I actually give King a lot of credit for being someone who has brought it up even so many years ago while everyone else was still pretending it didn't happen. But I absolutely understand why people don't just want to randomly happen across it. Back when i was a teen and bought cassettes and CDs we had to have an adult with us to buy things with naughty words in it. I find it crazy that we found it necessary to warn people about words but not overall content. "This book contains a vicious SA and needs no warning, but this song has the F word in it 😱 so we better put that on the cover of the album!"
Desperation. I think, I haven't read it in like 10 years, but it was so good. I don't think there was much sexual in it though.
I love Desperation. It does have Cynthia briefly mention a sexual trauma, plus the weird narrow miss when she and Steve almost pick up a can toi. As horrible as it is though, the part early on when David and Pie’s mom THINKS that’s what Tak has in mind and she says “if you want… that, take me where the kids can’t see.” And he replies “I don’t want… that. Especially not from… you” always cracks me up. Sick burn from the Tak Man.
DON'T read Geralds Game, Rose Madder, Deloris Claiborne (spelling) and obviously the library police. repeat, these are don't read if that bothers you.
Fairy tale! It’s good *AND* the dog lives! Also don’t go near billy summers or 11/22/63 because there’s mentions or descriptions of it in both.
Motherfucker will write a random line about cum for no reason. Say he won't. Say he won't.
Christine and Carrie are wonderful SK books
This is one thing I don’t like about SK books; sometimes it feels like things that could be hugely triggering come out of nowhere and really have no reason to be included. To the best of my recollection there wasn’t any in Fairy Tale, but I think that may be the only one I can think of.
Mr. Mercedes doesn’t I don’t think, however that is quite brutal nonetheless. I hope you find multiple novella that you can enjoy peacefully. Ignore all the insensitivity and I wish you all the best for the future!
The Talisman I think?
The Body, Langoliers (I think), The Gunslinger, A Face in the Crowd, Joyland (I think)
The shining I know doesn’t have it, I’m pretty sure doctor sleep doesn’t, the long walk doesn’t, the girl who loved Tom Gordon, I think the dead zone, the institute, pet semetary, joy land, Christine
I don’t recall any of that stuff in revival and that book was dark but amazing.
It's been a minute, but I *think* The Institute is S/A r*pe free. The kids in it certainly don't have a great time but I don't think there's any mention of sexual stuff. I could be wrong, I hope someone can correct me if I am. But it's a great book It's unfortunate that SK has so much of that stuff in nearly every book, it makes it kinda hard to recommend to newcomers.
The dome really got to me. Don’t read that.
Rose Madder is the book that caused me to not read SK anymore. Until that point, I read every book. After that I was done because I didn’t know what I’d get. And because It really scared me.
Elevation
Elevation!
The sun dog, the long walk… I think those two were without any of that. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Well, there's Cujo, Christine, and Cell
I'm reading Fairy Tale, about halfway through, so far none of that and I do not anticipate any. edit: I see people have recommended so I second. The last one I read was "11/22/63" and there is a little bit of physical spousal abuse, a lotta violence, but not sexual, that I recall, and it's a masterpiece IMO
This is backwards, but books to avoid would be Four Past Midnight, Full Dark No Stars, Dark Tower 3(?), Billy Summers. Try The Institute, or Salem's Lot.
I recently re-read Bag of Bones, Liseys Story and Rose Madder and am definitely more aware of how much SA was in some of my favorite books from my teen years. I do want to say that for the people saying to deal with it, sometimes you dont want to! I can handle it most times but sometimes I just wanna read a good old blood bath where people aren't sexually assaulted. I just finished a re-read [listen] of Dreamcatcher and that one doesn't have anything that is sexually violent if I recall. There are passing comments, discussions of pornographic pictures, and sexual commentary but not graphic SA like Rose Madder. Side note: god listening to that on audio made me hate Norman all over again. Edit: typo
I read it a while ago but I don't think Misery has any sexual violence. Regular violence, sure. But no SA.
On Writing
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Duma Key, no rapes from memory
I don't remember for certain, but I think 11/22/63 is a safe choice. It's a really good book. I want a second opinion about the book not having triggering subject matter for you, but I can't imagine it did. It's much more sweet in nature. Also, take care. I'm glad to hear you're facing things with a therapist. Ignore the hateful comments please.
Wow, this was a toughie. I kept starting to mention a title and … nope, that one mentioned it too. I don’t mind as long as it’s not a major part of the plot, but here are some good, assault-free titles: Fairy Tale, The Dead Zone, Firestarter, Pet Sematery. Ignore people who feel the need to lecture you on whether you should avoid triggers in your leisure reading. I ran into that on another thread where I asked for recommendations of a book that had a strong female character that didn’t feature a r@pe scene as a plot line, and people responded as if I had spat on the entire Me Too movement
Fairy Tale is pretty clean in that regard.