FVPF Domestic Violence Book Recommendations
The Family Violence Prevention Fund recommends the following books for book club discussions on
domestic violence. To learn more, visit FVPF.
FVPF Question:
My book group wants to talk about stories that touch on domestic violence. Any suggestions?
FVPF Answer:
One way to help stop domestic violence is to talk about it. Book groups are a great way to start discussion on this important topic.
Have your book group read one of the books listed below. Then, when you meet, you can use the talking points to start a discussion of the issue. Or, read one of the books and consider the discussion points on your own.
Book Discussion Points
- Which characters were affected by domestic violence in this book? How were they affected by it?
- What did you learn about domestic violence from this book?
- Was the problem handled well, or did the book include stereotypes about the women being battered or the men hurting them?
- In what ways did other characters in the book help the women experiencing domestic violence to stay safe?
- If they didn't reach out to help, why didn't they and how could they have?
- In what ways was violence against women portrayed as socially acceptable in this book?
- Was the problem of domestic violence connected to other social problems faced by the characters (i.e.: child abuse, alcoholism)? How so?
- How did the book make you feel?
- Did it remind you of a situation you have experienced yourself?
- How has that experience affected you?
Fiction
- Big Girls Don't Cry by Connie Briscoe
- Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Eyes of a Child by Richard North Patterson
- Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- If She Hollers Let Her Go by Chester Hines
- Island Justice by Elizabeth Winthrop
- Jazz by Toni Morrison
- Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
- Othello by William Shakespeare
- The Rainmaker by John Grisham
- Rose Madder by Steven King
- Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo by Ntozake Shange
- Tar Baby by Toni Morrison
- The 13th Juror by John T. Lescroart
- This Boy's Life: A Memoir by Tobias Wolff
- "Weight" in Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood
- The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle
Non-Fiction
- The Burning Bed: The True Story of Francine Hughes -- A Beaten Wife Who Rebelled by Faith McNulty
- Community Secret: The Story of Two Filipinas by Jaqueline J. Agtuca
- Deals With the Devil and Other Reasons to Riot by Pearl Cleage
- I, Tina: My Life Story by Tina Turner
- Living with the Enemy (photographs) by Donna Ferrato
- Next Time She'll Be Dead: Battering and How to Stop It by Ann Jones
- Point Last Seen (a memoir) by Hannah Nyala
- The Stalking of Kristin: A Father Investigates the Murder of His Daughter by George Lardner
- To Have or To Harm: True Stories of Stalkers and Their Victims by Linden Gross
If you are in a violent relationship and need help, call 1-800-799-SAFE.
To help stop domestic violence in your community, call 1-800-END-ABUSE.
To learn more, visit FVPF.