Looking for a protagonist that is utterly broken. Not in the sense that he can't do anything. But in the sense that he is empty inside from some major sorrow. From some event so traumatizing that it is unspeakable. This protagonist stares off into the distance, and assumes facial expressions so haunted that ghosts weep.
by Osucic
1 Comment
The Magicians Trilogy by Lev Grossman would fit, but the really bleak stuff you want isn’t there before the story starts.