Books about loneliness/isolation

[Triple A]

Can you recommend some?

The more "depressing," the better. I enjoy reading and watching things that make you feel sort of "empty" after you're done. There is something "funny" and comforting about it to me.

[Triple A]

"Seize the Day" by Saul Bellow (saw mitch_h talking about it) and "Less Than Zero" by Bret Easton Ellis seem really interesting. Going to "pick those up" most likely.

[thedamndest]

Phillip Roth - The Human Stain isn't strictly what you're looking for, but it's still a very good read. It isn't like Ellis' novels where the protagonist isolated more or less due to the construction of society. This is an "identity novel" where protagonist is at conflict with himself due to his identity. If you like that I would recommend other Phillip Roth books as well.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I AM LEGEND

[mitch_h]

Yeah, Bellow is my go to guy for these types of books, "Herzog" and "Humbolt's Gift" are two other novels where he beats the shit out of his protagonist. I'll definitely second thedamndest Phillip Roth recommendation. Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich is another good one to check out.

[Jeritron]

The Shining
Confessions of a Mask

[Skippord]

"Seize the Day" by Saul Bellow (saw mitch_h talking about it) and "Less Than Zero" by Bret Easton Ellis seem really interesting. Going to "pick those up" most likely.
really all of Bret Easton Ellis' books have the kind of themes you're talking about

and the sequel to Less Than Zero comes out this month also

[Skippord]

also if I remember right "The World According To Garp" by John Irving

[FakeLaser]

Notes From Underground

[FakeLaser]

Less Than Zero is pretty good

[FakeLaser]

Nausea by Sartre

[thedamndest]

I just got Notes from Underground approximately two weekends ago :eek:

[LuigiD]

It is a bit of a complicated read...but The Island of the Day Before by Umberto Eco is a pretty good read about loneliness. It is about a nobleman who travels by sea and crashed in an island. He starts to think about being alone, his life, past mistakes, what could have happened, etc.

[Lock Jaw]

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth. Actually a comic strip/graphic novel thing. It's like Peanuts without the humor.

[Triple A]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Already have Nausea and Notes From Underground. Def going to read Nausea next or soon, probably. Also checking out more info on the others.

Also going to get these based on internet "research," seems like I would like them:

Summer Blonde - Adrian Tomine
Bed - Tao Lin
The Human War - Noah Cicero
Like Life - Lorrie Moore

[BigDaddyCool]

Y-The Last Man on Earth, comic book, but I have a feeling you would like it.

[Triple A]

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth. Actually a comic strip/graphic novel thing. It's like Peanuts without the humor.

This is great. Seems to be exactly what I am looking for. Thanks.

Also The Death of Ivan Ilyich seems good and is only $5 so getting that also.

The Human Stain also seems like I would like it. Feels like I am using the word "seems" so much.

Also sry if anyone else feels like I am "brushing off" their suggestion.

[Jeritron]

I Have The Right To Destroy Myself

[El Vaquero de Infierno]

Less Than Zero is pretty good

Meh. It was just some bland exercise in nihilism. Nihilism doesn't need to be bland.