For me, 'Of Mice and Men' is a really depressing fiction book. The story of George and Lennie, two migrant workers with big dreams that are ultimately shattered, is heart - breaking. Lennie's child - like mind and his inability to control his strength lead to a tragic end. It shows the harsh reality for the poor and the powerless in society.
Well, 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy, while not strictly pure science fiction but has some elements of post - apocalyptic world which can be related to the genre. It shows a father and son struggling to survive in a desolate world. The constant threat of starvation, violence from other survivors, and the overall bleakness of the landscape make it a very depressing read. There seems to be no hope for a better future in that world.
One of the most depressing fiction books is 'The Catcher in the Rye'. It portrays the alienation and disillusionment of the main character, Holden Caulfield. His experiences in a world he sees as 'phony' are quite sad. Another is 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. It follows the lives of four friends, especially Jude, who endures unspeakable traumas throughout his life. The book is filled with his pain and the often-bleak existence of the characters.
Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' can also be considered. It shows a future where women are subjugated and used solely for reproductive purposes. The main character endures so much oppression and the overall atmosphere of the book is one of despair and the loss of basic human rights.
If it was a modern romance novel, I would recommend "I've Been Through the Vast Sea, but I Can't Find Water." The plot of this book was sad and depressing. It was filled with hatred and absurdity of love, making people feel very sad after reading it. If it was an ancient romance novel, I would recommend "Unhappy Country". The plot of this book was also filled with absurd political struggles and tragic love, making people cry after reading it. If it was a farming genre, I would recommend "The Eldest Sister". The protagonist in this book not only had to face a tragic life, but also had to take care of the family business with difficulty. After reading it, readers would really feel the psychological pressure of the protagonist. I hope you like this fairy's recommendation. Muah ~😗
They can make readers feel sad. For instance, when reading about the difficult lives in 'The Grapes of Wrath', readers may feel sympathy and a sense of heaviness. It makes them more aware of the hardships in life.
One example is 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath. It's depressing as it delves into the main character's struggle with mental illness. The sense of isolation and despair she experiences is palpable. Another is 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway. The tragic love story set against the backdrop of war, with all the loss and futility, makes it a depressing read.
Well, 'Requiem for a Dream' by Hubert Selby Jr. is a very depressing but realistic look at drug addiction and how it destroys lives. 'An American Tragedy' by Theodore Dreiser tells the story of Clyde Griffiths, a young man who is influenced by the American Dream but ends up in a tragic situation. 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker, while also having elements of hope, doesn't shy away from showing the depressing reality of racism and abuse that the characters face.
The following were some extremely depressing sentences:
I would have died on the beach before the end of the world.
I don't want to struggle anymore. I just want to sleep and let everything go with the wind.
If I could choose, I wish I had never been born.
My soul has been destroyed, leaving only an empty shell.
My life is like a dream. I've woken up, but other dreams are still going on.
I have no hope left. I just want to leave this world.
I don't know what the meaning of life is because I don't want to live anymore.
I don't want to face this world. I just want to hide and never come out.
If I could choose, I wish that I had never appeared.
My heart is dead, leaving only a hole.
The expressions in these sentences often carried a certain amount of negative emotions, expressing the protagonist's despair and helplessness. However, it should be noted that these sentences are only fictional elements in the novel and should not be over-interpreted and imitated.
'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi can also be considered very depressing. It details the author's life during the Iranian revolution. It shows the restrictions, the violence, and the upheaval that the people had to endure, and how it affected a young girl growing up in that society.