Broken but not Ruined
This list focuses on characters that have lived through physical, sexual, or religious trauma. This is not a list of self help or feel good books. This is for the people who know life is dark, love is conditional, and trust is something you guard. Endings are not guaranteed to be happy (tho some are) and characters may not be likable (trauma does that to you), but all books listed are ones that I've personally read and like. I will not add books that I do not know.
created by SailUncharted
last updated June, 2026
Comments
I'm surprised you didn't add Erha, Yuwu, or Qjj on that list!
I'm still working on it!! I haven't added any danmei yet, I'm doing a think thonk on which ones fit the vibe I'm going for and it might be BAB 👀 but I'm also considering 2ha, Winter Begonia, and QJJ
Love the options! Didn't know you were still having a large inner debate on what to include specifically 👀
Great idea, and the description is beautiful 🥺 I was so surprised to see Loveless and Poppy Brite on the same list. It seems nobody around me has talked about them for ages, but I was thoroughly obsessed in my teen years (although it’s not something a teenager should read lmao)
🤝 Loveless is so misunderstood too, especially nowadays. And out of everything he's written I do think Drawing Blood is probably the one that best fits this list but I might end up adding Lost Souls too!
Tbh I've been dying to make a list that could include Autoboyagrphy with a focus on childhood trauma
