7 books with protagonists enduring cursed existences
Curses can bind a person in invisible chains, rendering even the most ordinary of lives a struggle. But the allure of cursed existence goes beyond mere suffering—there’s something compelling about characters who, in their torment, find ways to endure, grow, and sometimes, even break free. Whether it’s the weight of an ancient family curse or the eternal burden of a supernatural affliction, these seven books plunge readers into the agonizing, yet fascinating, lives of protagonists trapped by curses—yet determined to fight for their souls and futures.
1. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
In The Curse of Chalion, the main character, Cazaril, is an ex-soldier who has been bound by an ancient and malevolent curse that seems to doom him to a life of suffering and humiliation. After being saved from near-death, Cazaril is thrust into the service of a royal family, where he becomes entangled in a web of politics, prophecy, and divine manipulation. Bujold’s masterful world-building and Cazaril’s relentless fight against the curse’s hold reveal the quiet strength of a man determined to reclaim his life. The Curse of Chalion explores the psychological and spiritual toll of curses while showcasing the profound resilience required to defy destiny.
2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Dorian Gray is a man blessed with unmatched beauty, but this gift comes at a staggering price. In Wilde’s iconic tale, Dorian’s portrait ages while he remains forever young, mirroring his descent into a life of indulgence, corruption, and eventual self-destruction. His curse is a double-edged sword: the portrait bears the burden of his sins, but Dorian is also trapped in a cycle of moral decay, unable to escape the repercussions of his choices. The cursed existence in The Picture of Dorian Gray reveals the dangers of vanity and unchecked hedonism, while exploring how a single choice can haunt a person forever.
3. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
In The Song of Achilles, Patroclus is fated to live in the shadow of his beloved friend and lover, Achilles. Though the two share a deep connection, their love is bound by the heavy curse of war and fate. As Achilles is marked by prophecy, Patroclus is haunted by the knowledge that their love may not survive the wrath of the gods. Miller’s reimagining of the Greek epic takes the reader into the hearts of two men whose existence is overshadowed by destiny’s cruel hand. This story of love, loss, and the heavy weight of inevitability exemplifies the pain and beauty of enduring a cursed life, where even love cannot shield you from fate.
4. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Nora Seed is on the brink of despair when she finds herself in the Midnight Library, a place that exists between life and death. Here, every book represents a different version of her life—one where she made different choices. However, no matter what path she tries, Nora discovers that the weight of regret and the curse of “what if” plagues every life she could have lived. Haig’s poignant exploration of mental health and the human desire to rewrite one’s past reveals how the weight of missed opportunities and self-blame can trap a person in an eternal cycle of sorrow. Yet, it is also a story of hope, where Nora must confront her curse and embrace the life she’s given.
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
In Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, Shadow Moon is released from prison only to find himself thrust into a world of gods, myths, and magical forces. He is caught in a battle between the old gods and new, but Shadow himself is cursed by the haunting memory of his dead wife, Laura. His entire existence becomes a series of enigmatic events that are connected to forces beyond his control, forcing him to reckon with the curse of fate, love, and identity. Shadow’s journey is a labyrinth of discovery and confrontation with the ancient powers that bind him, and Gaiman weaves a tale of what it means to be cursed by time, belief, and a past that can never be fully escaped.
6. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
In The Bone Clocks, Holly Sykes is an ordinary young woman whose life becomes entwined with the supernatural. A chance encounter leads her to discover the existence of immortals and an ancient, hidden war that spans centuries. Cursed by forces she cannot fully comprehend, Holly’s existence becomes a perpetual struggle against dark, otherworldly powers that seek to control her fate. Mitchell’s narrative, which spans decades, explores themes of reincarnation, fate, and the curse of being caught in the middle of an eternal battle. As Holly’s life unravels through time, she must navigate the curse of predestination and find her own way to break free.
7. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
In The Secret History, Richard Papen enters an enigmatic group of elitist students led by the brilliant, charismatic, and ultimately destructive professor, Julian Morrow. Bound by a shared secret, Richard and his fellow students are ensnared in a psychological and moral curse that forces them to grapple with the consequences of their actions. As the group spirals into madness, Richard learns that their lives will never be the same again. Tartt’s exploration of guilt, obsession, and the weight of a dark secret shows how a single moment can curse an entire existence, forever altering the course of a person’s life.
Final Thoughts
In each of these stories, the protagonists find themselves bound by forces beyond their control—curses that permeate their very existence. But rather than simply surrendering to fate, they fight, endure, and seek meaning in the face of unrelenting torment. Whether it’s the anguish of immortality, the burden of impossible choices, or the slow unraveling of a life intertwined with dark magic, these characters embody the human struggle to reclaim agency in the face of a predestined, cursed existence. Through their journeys, they reveal the strength it takes to rise above, even when fate seems determined to keep them bound forever.
