I want a very depressing book

Germinal by Émile Zola

Hamnet is coming out as a film,too. Just been and watched Nuremberg, that’s depressing but what a good actor Russell Crowe is as Göring. I get quite a few books online and if you look for psychological horror novels most are depressing. Also Thomas Hardy novels - king of the depressives !

Try reading 1984.

Too close to home these days, isn’t it Purplepixie?

A Long, Long Way by Sebastian Barry is set in World War 1 following the life of young Willie Dunne. It is a beautifully written book and yes it is terribly sad. It is a haunting story which will stay with you.

MayBee70

Sparklefizz

Maybee70 I thought A Thousand Splendid Suns was uplifting

While I was reading it, I spent most of the time in tears. It's one of the saddest and most upsetting books I have ever read.
Perhaps it would suit OP's requirements.

I was numb at the end. Reminded me of films that I’ve been to see where I had to stay in my seat for a while after the film finished ( eg Brokeback Mountain).

But you said it was "uplifting" in your earlier post MayBee70

"But You Did Not Come Back"Marceline Loridan-Ivens .
So sad and depressing two friends couldn't finish when I lent it.

The boy in the striped pyjamas....John Boyle

Is Dr Zhivago the novel as depressing as the film?

The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Sadaawi

Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky, or any of his other works.

Somebody recommended 'The Gambler' by Dostoevsky to me as being "A great laugh." All I can say is either they must have read a different translation to the one I read, or I lack a sense of humour. I know Russian humour can be very bleak.

In the springtime of the year. By Susan Hill. About bereavement.

On The Beach by Nevil Shute

Madame Bovary, any novel by Russian writers, A ale of Two Cities

Les Miserables, the book, Germinal, by Emil Zola, I believe Zola wrote a lot of miderable books, bu Germinal sufficed for me.

The Narrow Road to the Far North by Richard Flanagan is unremittingly grim about Japanese prisoners of war camps

Madame Bovary and several others here are amongst my favourites.

I think we all have different ideas regarding shat is a very depressing book

Madame Bovary is depressing and so is Therese Raquin - another woman set to self destruct .

I’m the King of the Castle by Susan Hill. A very dark book dealing with the cruelty and malevolence of children but also their vulnerability.

'Diary of Anne Frank'

If you 'enjoyed' Germinal, then why not try "Earth', also by Emile Zola?

How about "Frozen In Time" (1985) written by one of the team of archeologists who uncovered three of the graves of seamen who perished on the Franklin expedition to discover the NorthWest passage.

It's both fascinating - a damn good read - and pretty depressing as the team uncover more information about the fate of the entire 129 officers and crew. Not one came back.

CabbageWars13

How about "Frozen In Time" (1985) written by one of the team of archeologists who uncovered three of the graves of seamen who perished on the Franklin expedition to discover the NorthWest passage.

It's both fascinating - a damn good read - and pretty depressing as the team uncover more information about the fate of the entire 129 officers and crew. Not one came back.

The Terror was my favourite tv series from a couple of years back. Made even more fascinating by the fact that they found the remains of ( I think?) The Erebus (sp) round about the same time.

W.Somerset Maugham
Liza of Lambeth
Of Human Bondage

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Wanted to end it all after reading it! Book club choice by Richard and Judy. Says it all really…..