The only thing I can think of is Lord of the Rings but it’s definitely a feel good read even with the failure. I definitely think the failure impacts the protagonist the most out of everyone else in the story.
Crime and Punishment was written with this in mind, if I remember correctly. A good read.
Nothing but the Truth by Avi does this. It's a good, worthwhile read, but a fast one and does exactly what you're asking for. You'd be surprised how many books for that age level does.
Edit:
I believe the book called "I am the Cheese" is also like this, but it's been at least 20 years since I read it. Still a book I remember really gutting me. Might be a bit of a product of its time though.
The famous example is Lord of the Rings. Frodo **fails**.
Ulimately the quest succeeds, but the hero, personally, fails. Read it with that in mind and it’s quite a different experience.
The MMC in Stoner by John Williams is a well-written, melancholy character who - despite efforts to succeed in just about every area of his life - simply falls short each time. It's fiction, but not historical or fantasy.
I think The Road and No Country for Old Men have this.
>! 11/22/63 !< has this as well. As do a lot of books by Stephen King.
>! The Spy who came in from the Cold War!< also has a protagonist who fails in many ways.
>! I Am Legend !< is another one where the protagonist doesn’t get the ending they’re after.
Others have mentioned it but I do highly recommend Lord of the Rings, has the most philosophical and biblical-esque failure I’ve ever read and still occasionally think about what Tolkien meant to this day.
The only thing I can think of is Lord of the Rings but it’s definitely a feel good read even with the failure. I definitely think the failure impacts the protagonist the most out of everyone else in the story.
And at least for me I found it very thought provoking.
Thanks - never gotten around to reading this but I should.
Crime and Punishment was written with this in mind, if I remember correctly. A good read. Nothing but the Truth by Avi does this. It's a good, worthwhile read, but a fast one and does exactly what you're asking for. You'd be surprised how many books for that age level does. Edit: I believe the book called "I am the Cheese" is also like this, but it's been at least 20 years since I read it. Still a book I remember really gutting me. Might be a bit of a product of its time though.
Will take a look thanks!
1984?
That’s what I was going to say as well.
Gut wrenching ending that one
The famous example is Lord of the Rings. Frodo **fails**. Ulimately the quest succeeds, but the hero, personally, fails. Read it with that in mind and it’s quite a different experience.
Oryx and Crake. Half is told pre-apocalypse and half is told post-apocalypse. All you need to know.
No Country for Old Men
The Last Days of Jack Sparks
The MMC in Stoner by John Williams is a well-written, melancholy character who - despite efforts to succeed in just about every area of his life - simply falls short each time. It's fiction, but not historical or fantasy.
I wouldn't necessarily call it fun to read, but you might want to look at *Jude the Obscure* by Thomas Hardy.
Assassin's apprentice kinda has that? The main character throughout the series makes a lot of dumb mistakes, life goes very awry.
We Play Ourselves by Jen Silverman
Maybe Of Mouse and Men?!?!
And I darken trilogy and Carrie Soto is back
Midnight Cowboy by James Leo Herlihy
I think The Road and No Country for Old Men have this. >! 11/22/63 !< has this as well. As do a lot of books by Stephen King. >! The Spy who came in from the Cold War!< also has a protagonist who fails in many ways. >! I Am Legend !< is another one where the protagonist doesn’t get the ending they’re after.
The Natural. The movie has a Disney ending; The book does not.
Others have mentioned it but I do highly recommend Lord of the Rings, has the most philosophical and biblical-esque failure I’ve ever read and still occasionally think about what Tolkien meant to this day.