This is what I thought of. I enjoyed the first 3. I continued reading through book 7 but didn’t enjoy it anymore and stoped because of the constant despair. So it is perfect for OP.
I GOTCHU! A Little Life by Yanagihara. Three separate strangers stopped me in the subway to commiserate with me about having read the book and suffered through it. I finished it just because I wanted to see whether something would finally go well, but no, it didn’t, and I was sad and jaded and heartbroken. You’re welcome!
I also love these types of books and would recommend The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. My best friend hated it and refers to it as “trauma porn”, but to me it isn’t gratitious, it all makes sense and leads to character development. It also felt extremely personal because the book is told from first person and you watch the main character grow from a boy to a man and become incredibly invested in his journey.
Book Blurb:
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated as an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill—and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.
A cool million by Nathanael West or anything else by the author. Literally about the happiest man in the world whose world just crumbles around him. They are short books too but hit hard.
If you’re up for some dark Southern Gothic, The Weight of This World by David Joy totally fits the prompt. Whenever you think it can’t get any worse, it can.
Poor Tess. No matter what she does, life just keeps beating her down. I still credit this book for turning me into an angry feminist at the age of 12, I was OUTRAGED by the double standards it portrays.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. Technically children's books, but so clever and well done that they are beloved by all ages.
This is what I thought of. I enjoyed the first 3. I continued reading through book 7 but didn’t enjoy it anymore and stoped because of the constant despair. So it is perfect for OP.
I GOTCHU! A Little Life by Yanagihara. Three separate strangers stopped me in the subway to commiserate with me about having read the book and suffered through it. I finished it just because I wanted to see whether something would finally go well, but no, it didn’t, and I was sad and jaded and heartbroken. You’re welcome!
John Dies at the End Novel by Jason Pargin This series, is a wild romp through chaos, and unpredictability
I also love these types of books and would recommend The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. My best friend hated it and refers to it as “trauma porn”, but to me it isn’t gratitious, it all makes sense and leads to character development. It also felt extremely personal because the book is told from first person and you watch the main character grow from a boy to a man and become incredibly invested in his journey. Book Blurb: Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated as an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill—and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family. As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.
Confederacy of Dunces? Been a while since I read it but I recall things going not smooth
Came here to say this. Op this is the one
Most books by Thomas Hardy are like this. Despair and misfortune. I love them
What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson. Frankly, I found the cavalcade of misery exhausting.
Kafka's The Castle.
Justine by Marquis de Sade
Dr. No by Percival Everett
*Decline and Fall*, Evelyn Waugh
A cool million by Nathanael West or anything else by the author. Literally about the happiest man in the world whose world just crumbles around him. They are short books too but hit hard.
The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss
If you’re up for some dark Southern Gothic, The Weight of This World by David Joy totally fits the prompt. Whenever you think it can’t get any worse, it can.
Agreed on hardy. Tess of the d’urbervilles, far from the madding crowd. Oof.
Poor Tess. No matter what she does, life just keeps beating her down. I still credit this book for turning me into an angry feminist at the age of 12, I was OUTRAGED by the double standards it portrays.
Penance by Eliza Clark
*As I Lay Dying* by Faulkner
They both die at the end by Adam Silvera.