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Torment: A Novella
Throughout the weekend of his brother’s funeral, a young man reflects on life. Torment is a crashing wave of emotion. Hunter explores the dynamics of growing up as a poor minority in a small town, facing mental health conditions that most communities would rather not name, even if they could. The story steps through the tangled web of coming-of-age identity crises, complicated by society and the environment around us. Navigating through grieving and rambunctious aunts and uncles, a role model sister he rarely sees, and the ever-mounting pressure of misfortune, the young man has a very important question to What is worth living for?
Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2018
9 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
H.D. Hunter
8 books73 followersHugh “H.D.” Hunter is a storyteller and community organizer from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s the winner of several indie book awards for multicultural fiction.
Hugh is committed to #ownvoices stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds.
He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry -- but make you smile after.
Hugh is committed to #ownvoices stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds.
He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry -- but make you smile after.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 12, 2019
This book fell into my life.
For most of this novella, the story is told by a narrator whose name we do not learn until the end. He pours himself out to us as he navigates his brother’s funeral. We know he loves his sister Aquila and that he has mixed feelings about his town, which is the only world he’s known. We learn that he sees himself as “special” in that “I’m in a different class than everyone else” kind of way and that knowledge has molded what he sees when he looks in the mirror. This book is beautifully written and shines with pride for black culture and the power of community. It also doesn’t shy away from pointing out how mental health is viewed in the black community and its effect on the narrator’s own story. It’s also one of the rare YA books that is easily categorized as a solid middle school read due to the lack of potentially offensive content. Books that become windows for readers who are like the characters and doorways for readers who are not...that feel authentic, not forced, and engaging, are special and deserve to be read, discussed, and passed along.
For most of this novella, the story is told by a narrator whose name we do not learn until the end. He pours himself out to us as he navigates his brother’s funeral. We know he loves his sister Aquila and that he has mixed feelings about his town, which is the only world he’s known. We learn that he sees himself as “special” in that “I’m in a different class than everyone else” kind of way and that knowledge has molded what he sees when he looks in the mirror. This book is beautifully written and shines with pride for black culture and the power of community. It also doesn’t shy away from pointing out how mental health is viewed in the black community and its effect on the narrator’s own story. It’s also one of the rare YA books that is easily categorized as a solid middle school read due to the lack of potentially offensive content. Books that become windows for readers who are like the characters and doorways for readers who are not...that feel authentic, not forced, and engaging, are special and deserve to be read, discussed, and passed along.
February 12, 2019
I am glad that the author recommended that I read his work because it was well worth the read. The book itself is relatively short and captivating so I could have read it in one sitting(rather than two). This book touches on issues within the black community such as poverty, mental illness, single parent households, grief and racism. This story evoked emotion as the protagonist dealt with grief and demons from his childhood past. He is constantly struggling with the uncertainty of his future as a black man dealing with mental illness and the hope of a better life outside of his small town.
December 16, 2019
Thank you for sharing your life experience with us!
May 3, 2020
"I wish I could tell them that just because a person doesn't understand what it means to be broken doesn't mean they can't tell they aren't whole."
I heard about this novella after the author reached out me on Instagram. As of right now, he's an indie author, and his main goal is to get his work into middle school classrooms where conversations about mental health, race/society, and coming of age can happen. I ordered this novella a few months ago, but it sat on my shelf begging me to read it.
I am so glad I took the time to read this story. We are thrust into the narrator's life as he and his older sister prepare for a funeral. The story alternates between present time and the narrator's childhood as he remembers different situations with his siblings and his mother as he was growing up. I wasn't expecting this 110 page novella to touch me quite as much as it ended up doing. I loved the alternating time periods and getting glimpses into the narrator's life at various points in his life while he was growing up in Nowhere.
This story is beautifully written with many quotes and passages that are worth reading multiple times to really get the full effect. I was very impressed with this story and I look forward to reading more of H.D. Hunter's work in the future. This book can definitely be read and understood by both middle and high schoolers, but I think it is equally powerful for adults to read as well. A fantastic read!
I heard about this novella after the author reached out me on Instagram. As of right now, he's an indie author, and his main goal is to get his work into middle school classrooms where conversations about mental health, race/society, and coming of age can happen. I ordered this novella a few months ago, but it sat on my shelf begging me to read it.
I am so glad I took the time to read this story. We are thrust into the narrator's life as he and his older sister prepare for a funeral. The story alternates between present time and the narrator's childhood as he remembers different situations with his siblings and his mother as he was growing up. I wasn't expecting this 110 page novella to touch me quite as much as it ended up doing. I loved the alternating time periods and getting glimpses into the narrator's life at various points in his life while he was growing up in Nowhere.
This story is beautifully written with many quotes and passages that are worth reading multiple times to really get the full effect. I was very impressed with this story and I look forward to reading more of H.D. Hunter's work in the future. This book can definitely be read and understood by both middle and high schoolers, but I think it is equally powerful for adults to read as well. A fantastic read!
December 14, 2020
4 🌟. CW: mental illness, intellectual disability, death of a child
Torment: A Novella by H.D. Hunter is about a black boy growing up in a small town in the Midwest. This short book packs a lot into just 110 pages!
Our MC is dealing with the death of younger brother. Family comes from all over for the funeral, and he begins to reminisce about his childhood. We don't learn his name until the end, but it all brings us full circle for how the book started.
This was a very honest look at how the Black community has a hard time dealing with and talking about mental illness. It also seemed to be a tribute to all the kids that get called "special " when they may just be autistic; the book never states specifically that our MC is autistic, but I have a strong feeling.
Although our MC feels tormented throughout his life, this Novella is also about Unity and how Black folks need to come together and work to better themselves, their neighbors, and their community.
I highly recommend this book for any person who has struggled with mental illness without anyone to advocate for them, and for anyone trying to understand how pervasive structural and institutional racism is.
Torment: A Novella by H.D. Hunter is about a black boy growing up in a small town in the Midwest. This short book packs a lot into just 110 pages!
Our MC is dealing with the death of younger brother. Family comes from all over for the funeral, and he begins to reminisce about his childhood. We don't learn his name until the end, but it all brings us full circle for how the book started.
This was a very honest look at how the Black community has a hard time dealing with and talking about mental illness. It also seemed to be a tribute to all the kids that get called "special " when they may just be autistic; the book never states specifically that our MC is autistic, but I have a strong feeling.
Although our MC feels tormented throughout his life, this Novella is also about Unity and how Black folks need to come together and work to better themselves, their neighbors, and their community.
I highly recommend this book for any person who has struggled with mental illness without anyone to advocate for them, and for anyone trying to understand how pervasive structural and institutional racism is.
January 24, 2020
This book bugged me almost the entire time, Hunter could have given us the main character's name from he beginning, I'm not sure why he wanted to hold that information until the end. Otherwise I loved reading a book from a "special" person's point of view. It made me think about every day situations in a way I never had before, like the part where he steals the tip jar, I always assume people steal because they want the item they're stealing, but that's not even the case with him.
The whole family situation was SOOO sad, but I supposed that's how many families really are, so it was a good eye-opening read.
Lots of great thought-provoking quotes and metaphors in here too, the one that I will remember the best is how he said he's like broken glass, most people just throw him away, and most are afraid to hold on too tight because they might get hurt, only his true loved ones keep a hold of him.
The whole family situation was SOOO sad, but I supposed that's how many families really are, so it was a good eye-opening read.
Lots of great thought-provoking quotes and metaphors in here too, the one that I will remember the best is how he said he's like broken glass, most people just throw him away, and most are afraid to hold on too tight because they might get hurt, only his true loved ones keep a hold of him.
March 4, 2021
This was an absolute gem of a find that I stumbled across on Twitter, a novella told in short stories (which in and of itself is such an effective form of storytelling). It's a coming of age tale about identity, told in first person -- about growing up and coming to terms with yourself and the people and places around you. There's a lot here for younger readers, but full disclosure, I'm 31 and got a lot out of it. Hunter's words sing. His grasp of a beautiful, minimalistic style is something to admire, and it's no easy feat to pack such a punch in 110 pages. He's one to watch.
November 29, 2024
“I wish I could tell them that just because a person doesn’t understand what it means to be broken doesn’t mean they can’t tell they aren’t whole.”
A short, but powerful read about navigating mental illness and how it isn’t really talked about in the black community. The protagonist, whose name we don’t learn until the very end, attends his brother’s funeral over the weekend and simultaneously reflects on his childhood and the struggles he and his family faced.
A short, but powerful read about navigating mental illness and how it isn’t really talked about in the black community. The protagonist, whose name we don’t learn until the very end, attends his brother’s funeral over the weekend and simultaneously reflects on his childhood and the struggles he and his family faced.
July 20, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. During the weekend of his younger brother’s funeral - the second younger brother he lost - the author details chapters of his life. He talks about how he was flagged for counseling as a child, but his mama told him not to spill their business. He recounts his childhood, some trauma, and other memories. I will be adding this to my library’s collection and recommend it for grades 7+.
November 12, 2020
The author reached out to me on IG and let me know about his book. This book was beautiful and covered a wide range of topics, from racism to mental illness. It was a fast read, and captivating. You do not know who the narrator is until the end, but you learn all about them and their struggles and successes as they reflect the weekend of their brother’s funeral.
February 3, 2020
This novella is a beautifully written coming-of-age story. It intelligently addresses mental health, family relationships, and how to navigate life’s hard questions/problems. It’s relatable and the imagery makes you feel like you’re there, too. I definitely recommend this!
November 24, 2020
I read this book in less than an hour and grew attached to the character, the writing, the story. It was able to cover topics such as police brutality, trauma, and how the black community deals with trauma. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
February 10, 2021
This is a beautifully written book for middle grade students. This would be such a valuable addition to any classroom library and also great to use for lot groups or a whole class read. HD Hunter also visits classrooms to do writing workshops. Definitely recommend!
May 26, 2019
This book hit me in all the right feels. I can’t wait to share this with my 9th graders. This book tackles mental and emotional health issues all students should be discussing. You’re not alone!
March 14, 2023
So many good conversations about small towns and black History. Loved the book, wish I got to know more about the protagonists journey after.
June 9, 2023
One of the most beautiful novellas I’ve read about family, loss, and mental health. Do yourself a favor and read this gem!
June 9, 2025
read this for school so I probably didn't enjoy it as much as I could have but A PLUS WORK
December 12, 2018
Torment
A young man returns home for his brother’s funeral. Over the weekend, he reflects on his family, neighborhood, and what it all meant for his childhood and life.
Torment is a poignant portrait of one family dealing with issues of poverty and the stigma of mental health.
HD Hunter’s narrator is sometimes direct and honest, and at other times, masks his struggles with poetic meanderings. We also get to know and love Akila, a powerful and insightful older sister, in both the past and present. Both siblings reflect on what it means to “get out” and what their family and neighborhood could have (and maybe should have) offered them. Sweeter and sadder is Daniel, our picture of innocence and butterflies.
Reluctant readers will find a home here. The novella is short and impactful, meaning that students can read it quickly and still have rich discussions. A definite win for high school teachers!
A young man returns home for his brother’s funeral. Over the weekend, he reflects on his family, neighborhood, and what it all meant for his childhood and life.
Torment is a poignant portrait of one family dealing with issues of poverty and the stigma of mental health.
HD Hunter’s narrator is sometimes direct and honest, and at other times, masks his struggles with poetic meanderings. We also get to know and love Akila, a powerful and insightful older sister, in both the past and present. Both siblings reflect on what it means to “get out” and what their family and neighborhood could have (and maybe should have) offered them. Sweeter and sadder is Daniel, our picture of innocence and butterflies.
Reluctant readers will find a home here. The novella is short and impactful, meaning that students can read it quickly and still have rich discussions. A definite win for high school teachers!
March 17, 2019
I was blessed enough to be sent a free kindle copy of this by H.D. Hunter for review. Firstly, I inhaled this novella in 45 minutes and, though it may be short, it is powerful. The first thing it made me want to do is hug my brothers! It’s beautiful, emotional and deals with the stigma surrounding mental health and learning disabilities in a gentle but insightful manner, as well as tackling identity and loss.
It’s so important that some books are mirrors, that we can open them and see ourselves, and that’s why it’s imperative that we have more diverse characters and authors represented in our literature. I’ve ordered 2 copies for school as it’s suitable for my year 7s (age 11) and I cannot wait to start recommending it.
It’s so important that some books are mirrors, that we can open them and see ourselves, and that’s why it’s imperative that we have more diverse characters and authors represented in our literature. I’ve ordered 2 copies for school as it’s suitable for my year 7s (age 11) and I cannot wait to start recommending it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews