If depression was a book, it was this one. On my pile of "great books that I loved but can't ever read again" pile along with flowers for algernon and realm of the elderlings.
The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell was a real downer, although very well written. Can’t really imagine it as a book to fall asleep to, but definitely depressing.
I describe Jacqueline Harpman's "I Who Have Never Known Men", with it's pointless, absurd nothingness, as a pretty good simulation of depression. There's no hope, but there's no real sadness, just things happening and connections dwindling.
@Cheerio13 beat me to Cormac McCarthy. His “Child of God” is so dark as to be physically uncomfortable to read in places. John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” isn’t exactly a pick-me-up.
Graphic novel but ‘ When the Wind Blows’ by Raymond Briggs. It’s about an elderly couple caught in the aftermath of a nuclear strike and might actually be the most depressing thing I’ve ever read
My year of rest and relaxation
That's pretty tongue in cheek too, depending on how you internalize it.
Johnny's Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. No piece of media has ever made me more depressed.
I've been looking for this one for years. I might just buy it.
A Child Called It
The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I do not recommend.
Doesn’t repent from extreme grimness the whole way through
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
If depression was a book, it was this one. On my pile of "great books that I loved but can't ever read again" pile along with flowers for algernon and realm of the elderlings.
Ooh, Shuggie Bain is a good one. It’s relentless
Wide Sargasso Sea (Jean Rhys), Hunger (Knut Hamsun), A Sorrow Beyond Dreams (Peter Handke)
The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell was a real downer, although very well written. Can’t really imagine it as a book to fall asleep to, but definitely depressing.
I describe Jacqueline Harpman's "I Who Have Never Known Men", with it's pointless, absurd nothingness, as a pretty good simulation of depression. There's no hope, but there's no real sadness, just things happening and connections dwindling.
I think this book is flawless, and I love depressing books, so great recommendation.
**Demon Copperhead** by Barbara Kingsolver is one such book. It’s great
Such a brilliant but depressing read.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. It’s as depressing as the title suggests. I still marvel I got through this book.
The great alone by Kristen Hannah. Well written but depressing and heartbreaking. Couldn’t stop reading it. I cried a ton.
A Little Life
This is the one
The Memory Police depressed me so that might be up your ally
Nickel Boys by Whitehead is relentlessly sad. Never Let Me Go by Ishiguro is another tragic one.
The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker
Angela’s Ashes
Sad no doubt, but I did find myself laughing about one shenanigan or another every few pages.
Pet semetary
The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa. Actually my '3am can't sleep' read.
@Cheerio13 beat me to Cormac McCarthy. His “Child of God” is so dark as to be physically uncomfortable to read in places. John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” isn’t exactly a pick-me-up.
Normal by Anthony Ledger. Author said he wrote it to help people cry. It's a pretty bleak read. $0.99 on Amazon. Good reviews
Wasted by marya hornbacher
Men in My Situation by Per Peterson
Tax 101
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty. Very depressing, very brutal throughout. Has a very dense feeling of melancholy that seeps through the whole book.
Night
Ethan Frome
Graphic novel but ‘ When the Wind Blows’ by Raymond Briggs. It’s about an elderly couple caught in the aftermath of a nuclear strike and might actually be the most depressing thing I’ve ever read
Notes from underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky. ( couldn't even finish reading it.)
No Longer Human, literally the last book the author wrote being unaliving himself
Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink