Most depressing books you've read

Where the Red Fern Grows

I read both of the Hardy books you mention. Yeah, Jude is ill-fated, but he does have some moderately high points along the way,whereas the Casterbridge mayor's existence was relentlessly tedious and monotonous and grim from the get-go.

i feel like i haven't read that many, but i'd say "the things they carried".

The most depressing thing I've read was the NYT best sellers list every week, because Americans only read trash books.

The most depressing thing I've read was the NYT best sellers list every week, because Americans only read trash books.

I cried so damn hard when I read Where the Red Fern Grows but I was 7 so maybe that's why.

It's no contest, really:

Bridge to Terebithia

I read this for school when I was 10, as I'm sure many suburban kids who frequent this board did as well, so you know how it ends. I cried my eyes out. 25 years later, I'm still pissed that they're still making 10 year olds read it in so many public schools, it seems like state-sponsored child abuse. Flame away at me for being a softie, but I just don't see the point. Schools love that book. The doomier and gloomier the better.

Even better, they've made a movie version. What an uplifting family flick that'll be. You can't "Disney up" that story.

2nd grade blues wrote:

I cried so damn hard when I read Where the Red Fern Grows but I was 7 so maybe that's why.

Maybe so. At some point in your 20s, you suddenly realize you've outlived every single dog that was alive when you were born. After that, this sort of story just can't hit you as hard.

I can think of two children's books that fit the bill: "A Day No Pigs Would Die" and "Beat the Turtle Drum." However, following those sons of bitches up with a book or two of dirty limericks is a great salve. Check it out:

A dirty old man named McGuirk

Would sit on a park bench to jerk.

To gawkers in shock,

He'd waggle his cock

And say "Folks, it's more pleasure than work."

"The Octopus," "Maggie," and "Ironweed" are pretty sad. But "Tobacco Road" takes the cake.

Some of the most depressing books I've read are:

The Stranger, by Camus

Nausea, by Sartre

Catcher in the Rye, by Salinger

I'd recommend them all!

Cold Clear Day

confederacy of dunces

I reead this book, "Ultra Man" or something, about this guy who claimed to eat pizzas while running around all night in his underwear and shit. He made up all this other crap about being punched in the nose while racing and stuff. THAT one had me crying but if I remember right I wasn't sad, I thought it was the balls!

Ethan Frome - a good story that just pisses you off in the end

Where the Red Fern Grows - yeah, sad story, but has a good ending

Flowers for Algernon

Where the Red Fern Grows made me cry hard both times I read it, and when I watched the movie. But it wasn't dpressing, just sad. Summer of the Monkeys by the same author as well.

The Yearling was a really sad animal book as well. Whats with the animal books?

Last one that I can think of, I know this is stupid but the end of the Amber Spyglass made me cry a bit. ???

Easily, easily..."A Child Called It" - this is a true story about child abuse.

Unbelievable story- check it out

If you want to ruin a kid's childhood, get him "The Red Pony" by Steinbeck