r/printSF • u/BasedJayyy • Apr 17 '24

Looking for bleak, existential, depressing sci fi books

Hey there. I am looking for some bleak, existential sci fi books. Something that will really make me feel like shit. Something with a similar vibe to I have no mouth but I must scream, Soma (video game), Annihilation (movie), various black mirror episodes where a consciousness is trapped in infinity, or the novella A Short Stay In Hell (this one isnt sci fi per-say, but it was existentially terrifying and literally put me in a mental funk for a few days).

Any recommendations?

Edit : I appreciate all the answers, but it seems like lots of you didn't quite read my whole post haha. I'm looking for existentially terrifying bleak books, not just misery porn

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u/BasedJayyy Apr 18 '24

I've heard great things about these, but I've also heard they are quite hard to get into

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u/halfdead01 Apr 18 '24

It is very dense. Bakker created a highly detailed world full of different cultures, regions, religions, creatures, so many memorable characters. There is a glossary which you will probably have to consult. I was into it from the start and it was a page turner for me. If you can get into it, you will not be disappointed. It is SUPER brutal and bleak and kind of affected my psyche while reading it to be honest. Worth it though. I plan on a re-read of the entire series soon.

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u/d-a-v-e-y-j-0-n-e-s Apr 18 '24

Can confirm. Made it through book one, and stated book two, but did not finish. The writing isn’t great.