most depressing science fiction books

Well, 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy, while not strictly pure science fiction but has some elements of post - apocalyptic world which can be related to the genre. It shows a father and son struggling to survive in a desolate world. The constant threat of starvation, violence from other survivors, and the overall bleakness of the landscape make it a very depressing read. There seems to be no hope for a better future in that world.

Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' can also be considered. It shows a future where women are subjugated and used solely for reproductive purposes. The main character endures so much oppression and the overall atmosphere of the book is one of despair and the loss of basic human rights.

For me, 'Of Mice and Men' is a really depressing fiction book. The story of George and Lennie, two migrant workers with big dreams that are ultimately shattered, is heart - breaking. Lennie's child - like mind and his inability to control his strength lead to a tragic end. It shows the harsh reality for the poor and the powerless in society.

One of the most depressing fiction books is 'The Catcher in the Rye'. It portrays the alienation and disillusionment of the main character, Holden Caulfield. His experiences in a world he sees as 'phony' are quite sad. Another is 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. It follows the lives of four friends, especially Jude, who endures unspeakable traumas throughout his life. The book is filled with his pain and the often-bleak existence of the characters.

One characteristic could be the often dystopian settings. In 70s science fiction, many works depicted a future that was rather bleak. For example, in some stories, the Earth was overpopulated and resources were scarce. There was also a sense of social decay, with governments being corrupt or ineffective. Another aspect was the exploration of the impact of technology on humanity. Sometimes technology was shown as a double - edged sword, bringing both progress and new problems like the loss of human connection or the rise of machines over humans.

'Gateway' is also very popular. Its exploration of human nature in the face of the unknown, along with the unique setting of the alien space station, has attracted a large number of readers. People are drawn to the mystery of the ships and the potential for discovery, as well as the well - developed characters.

'Wool' by Hugh Howey was quite popular too. It's set in a post - apocalyptic silo, and the mystery and the characters' struggles within that confined space were really engaging for readers. The story gradually unfolds, revealing more about the world outside the silo as it progresses, which kept readers hooked.

I'm not sure which ones are the most popular exactly, but 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is often highly regarded. It's set in a future where the world has been transformed by a new form of technology and virtual reality, and it has a really unique and engaging plot.

I'm not entirely sure which ones were the most popular, but 'Doomsday Book' was widely talked about. It had an interesting premise of time - traveling historians.

The 'The Handmaid's Tale' is influential in a different way. It has made people think more deeply about social and political issues in the context of a possible future. It has also influenced the way we view dystopian literature and how it can be used as a warning about the direction our society could take if certain trends continue.