Caught in Literary Tension

I was on the hunt for a new audiobook recently, So scrolling instagram, I ran across an Oprah Winfrey’s book club recommendation. She suggested “A Guardian and a Thief.” Naturally, I figured it would be a great pick for my commute home, so I dove right in.

As I listened, I realized the book was genuinely great from a writing standpoint. But by the end, it left me feeling really discouraged and kind of down. I didn’t know how to express that at first. I actually had to do some internet research just to find the right term for what I was feeling.

And that’s when I stumbled on the idea of something being “beautifully devastating.” This book gave me that kind of literary melancholy—like it was so well-crafted that it left a real emotional impact.

So, I’m curious: have you ever come across a book or a story that left you feeling that same kind of “beautiful devastation”? I’d love to hear your thoughts