Most depressing character?

Question

Who is a (fictional) character from a BOOK that was either depressing to read about or that you found to be depressing in the disappointing the way the author represented them?

(Please note that answers that include comic books, movie adaptation books, or religious texts will not be noted for best answer, as the question is centered on fictional literature. Yes, that goes even for those of you who consider the Bible fictional literature.)

Answer 1

Anna Karenina. I usually find Russian Novels rather depressing, probably thinking of the Russian Gulag in the winter. Well, actually, I am thinking of Doctor Zhivago, another depressing story of the same nature. But, to think of someone who systematically destroys her (Anna's) life for passion. Maybe I feel even worse for Varonsky (spelling?), her lover, who ... Well, better not give away the ending!

Answer 2

Reality is stranger than fiction, and in Jon Krakauer's book, "Into Thin Air" where he joins an expedition of folks who are climbing Mt Everest, Yasuko Namba, the Japanese businesslady who is found dying on the mountain, has ice chipped from her face, and then is basically abandoned, is a horribly memorable character.

Paul Newman's "Cool Hand Luke" will stay with you for awhile, as will Steven King's "Andy DuFrame" in "Shawshank Redemption."

but for majorly depressing, one need look no further than Job in the Bible. If you ever think that you have had a bad day, or your friends are a painus in the anus, read the book of Job.

Just re-red the question---Brett Spiner, "Data" on "Star Trek, the Next Generation" would have been a far better Dr. Lecter than Anthony Hopkins. In the books, Lecter was a far more subtle guy than the Lecter we meet in "Silence of the Lambs."

Answer 3

confident, anime are cartoons, yet thats no longer all there is to them. they have a bent to be deeper and function extra of a non-provide up plotline than the shows on the WB saturday morning which tend to flow by way of episode and don't must be considered in any genuine order. while maximum persons think of of cartoons that's what they think of off and a few are offended that on could team their well known anime teach, with an prolonged drawn out and intensely problematical plot and character developement, into that.

Answer 4

Very hard question - But if you forgive the spelling I'll go back to along time ago to when i read The clan of the cave bear and say what was her name i think Ayla.Good book i think it hit the mark.

Answer 5

Holden Caulfield, from the Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. Hated the book and that kid just annoyed the crap out of me. He was so whiny.

Answer 6

Gregor Samsa in Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" who, despite supporting his family, mysteriously turns into a roach one day... and is forgotten by the same family.

Now folks it doesn't get any more depressing than that.

Answer 7

Lily Bart in Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth". Her whole tale of social climbing and inevitable downfall is just heartbreaking, moreso because of her immense pride.

Answer 8

Scrooge. Imagine being around someone who hated Christmas, charity and all that implies!!

Answer 9

some characters from the books "a room with view" and "tess of the d'urbervilles" are VERY depressssing...

Answer 10

I can't remember the name of the book but the character's name was Zero. She was an addict who had abuse after abuse after abuse heaped on her for NOTHING.