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I've just finished reading 'A Farewell to Arms' by Hemingway and I must admit that I really enjoyed it. There start was a little bit dry and 'rough', but as I progressed through the book, I got so much better. Imagining that Hemingway was an old guy at a bar with a bottle of spirits telling you a story also made it a much more pleasant experience.
Right now, I'm looking for a book that is depressing in nature. I would like to read a book that is more 'modern' and not a classic. Perhaps a book that talks about the current state of the world in a sad manner or one that is of a crushing story that is able to describe - vividly - about a gloomy disheartening story. Maybe even one that has made its readers commit suicide or turn insane from depression.
I guess many of you are wondering why would I want to read such a thing. I don't have a specific reason actually, I would just like to learn how to express feelings better with words. I want to learn more about feelings, and also improve my essays as well.
One thing that I should say is that I do not like science fiction that much. When a book portrays a scene that is set a few thousand years in the future, it's a major turn-off for me. I have not read a book about some autobiography of a personal story before, but I have read some articles similar to that effect in the Readers Digest magazine before and I frankly say that whenever I read them, I think to myself, "Who gives a shit?". The way the story is told is sub-par, and even though the content is there but it's just painful for me to read. However, I do realise that just focusing on the language and not the content when I want to incorporate what I have learned from reading into my essays might produce purple prose-y work. Ergo, I would like a book that has both content and excellent expressions.
I have done a bit of research and these are the books that I think would be a good read:
- The Catcher in the Rye by Salinger
- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- 1984 by Orwell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WibmcsEGLKo
+ Show Spoiler +Sorry Warble, for wasting your time
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doubleupgradeobbies!
Australia1187 Posts
Well for a book similar to A Farewell to Arms, I'd suggest Catch 22, although I guess that is also a classic, but 1984 is definitely also a good read.
In the same vein a few books of similar 'depressing' feel would be:
Animal Farm
A Brave New World
To Kill A Mockingbird
Unfortunately they are all considered classics in their own right, I really can't think of a more modern book to match them, maybe they just don't make them like they used to :D
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All of those books are very good and excellent social commentary of their times as well. Catcher in the Rye I remember having to read several times.
In addition to what doubleupgradeobbies said, if you're interested in slightly older modern literature (pre-WWII), John Steinbeck is worth reading. In particular, his books set in the Great Depression (Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath) is a powerful commentary on the Great Depression and the nature of man, their dreams, and powerlessness (social, economical and intellectual).
For something much more modern, The Kite Runner is the only thing that comes to mind right now. But is an interesting read into modern Afghanistan. Also, Tomorrow, When the War Began.
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I was actually going to rec The Road. If it doesn't depress you with its subject matter, it'll certainly make you want to commit suicide through sheer boredom. The language of the last few paragraphs of the book is quite beautiful though and has stuck with me over the years, surprisingly ...
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I loved Catch-22 and 1984. Brave New World is in the same vein as 1984 and all 3 benefit from multiple readings. You can't go wrong with any of them - though Catch-22 is significantly longer than the other two.
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On March 25 2012 13:25 Azera wrote:
Right now, I'm looking for a book that is depressing in nature. I would like to read a book that is more 'modern' and not a classic. Perhaps a book that talks about the current state of the world in a sad manner or one that is of a crushing story that is able to describe - vividly - about a gloomy disheartening story. Maybe even one that has made its readers commit suicide or turn insane from depression.
You basically just described Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, one of my all-time favorite books. It's long, convoluted, depressing, uplifting, and an overall fantastic display of a unique and enthralling writing style. If you've got the balls to slog through the thousand or so pages, I'm confident you'll enjoy it.
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Catcher and 1984 won't really make you feel depressed (at least they didn't make me). You should definitely read both though.
If you want action mixed with psychological analysis of people that will depress the shit out of you:
Armor by John Steakley
If you want a personal story, don't want politics heavy, and don't care about being seen with a girl's book:
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
(Seriously - its a really good and well-written book that will depress you to no end)
If you want a secret book that I guarantee will depress you, pm me.
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I strongly recommend "eeeee eee eeee" by Tao Lin. I'd describe it as a story about suburban depression. Just as a warning though, it's not science fiction but it has some pretty out there dream/daydream sequences.
I'd also say go read anything by Haruki Murakami, just go to a bookstore, find the section that has his books and read the first few pages of a few and pick whichever one catches your interest the most. That stuff can really make you feel as if your chest has gone hollow, and has some great descriptions and lines.
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On March 25 2012 13:34 sniffums wrote:
Disgrace by Coetzee
Why?
To the rest of you guys, thanks for the suggestions, will be hitting the library soon.
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The Rainmaker by John Grisham.
He's got a sort of weird writing style imo, but this book fucking blew my mind. Made me sad, pissed off, happy--the works. Definately check it out. 
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Seeing your tendency toward post-apocalyptic antiutopian titles, what about "Player Piano" and "Sirens of Titan" by Kurt Vonnegut and "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick.
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Catch 22 is one of my favourite books. I guess you could describe it (at least apropos perverted logic, authority) as a Post-Modern Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, though far darker and more thought provoking. Highly recommended.
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3358 Posts
i believe Haruki Murakami's IQ84 is based on Orwell's 1984 (if slightly)
in general, i would recommend any book by that author as i'm a huge fan of his language and the way his words seem to connect with me constantly...
there are more than a couple translations available for most of the books he's written as he is a very accomplished and is a popular author in Japan, i do not like the e-books i've found of his books.
currently, i'm enjoying After Dark, and Norwegian Wood, and i love it!
i hear that After Dark is a very good murakami book to start on.
i hope your reading experience is a nice one!
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if you have 1984 on your list just do that asaply
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Actually, on that note, Kafka on the Shore by Murakami might appeal to you; it details the emotional and intellectual journey of a 15 year old boy after he runs away from home and school. I wouldn't describe it as ultimately "depressing", but you may be able to draw some parallels with your own experience of being that age.
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night
on the beach
all quiet on the western front
the kite runner/a thousand splendid suns
Oryx and Crake
Alas Babylon (haven't read this myself)
more later
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For some reason I thought of Oryx and Crake. It's a great novel albeit science fiction. It's dystopian and sort of depressing in its depiction of exploitation.
Also the short story "Concentration city" by J.G. Ballard instills some depressive rumination about the extent of industry and the escape from society.
At least that's what I took from them
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Catcher in the Rye is the best book ever.
But Norwegian Wood by Murakami is a somewhat similar coming of age story that I feel is more 'depressing' than CitR. So I'd go with that instead. But definitely read Catcher in the Rye at some point.
1984 is good but it feels like its supposed to be depressing. Norwegian Wood has a more subtle depressing feel to it. 1984 throws it in your face.
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I'm going to go with one of my favorite authors here, both books are very different.
To Reign In Hell, by Steven Brust
Agyar, by Steven Brust
Brust is a fantastic author, in part because of his ability to employ wildly different styles of writing.
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EPT
