Some people actually read depressing stuff for fun. I'm not sure why either. Maybe it's escape in that their own life looks less bad??

(For the record, I rather liked _Roll of Thunder_, but for all I know that may be because some of the stuff it stacked up against around then [like _Uncle Tom's Cabin_] was worse. I did think it had a less "bleak" feel than you seem to think, but - unfortunately!! - you're going to get to decide for yourself on that.)

Ouch. Jeez, I'm sorry. That's rough on *both* of you - and annoying for you, to boot.