You know, the funny part is that my Mom picked up a copy of The Violent Bear It Away in my building's "library", and I was looking at it today thinking: I know damn well she hasn't read it yet, and probably won't. Should I just grab it?

"Dark" is negotiable, always. "Dark" is subjective, much like "porn". I don't think you can argue it, but I love to see other people try.;)