I just finished reading this novel and I love this so much. I love how in depth it goes with the backstory of the characters.... more>> I'm so glad that the author didn't cut anything off on this part, especially when I read the author's notes about people trying to rush her (I think 'her') to the ending. Also, thanks to the translators for not cutting anything off because some translators do that. I really love how deep the fl and ml's story goes, and how they are really developing and changing throughout the novel as they learn. It's really heartbreaking and I cried multiple times throughout the novel, especially at the end, though I did predict the major plot points. The writing style is amazing and you can really bond with the characters. The fl is so strong and unique, and not everything works out for her too. The ending is also amazing, you can really feel the regrets and the resolution ties everything together.  <<less

I actually reread this before putting this on the list because I didn't capture the full essence of this novel the first time. ... more>>

This story is really short, but it encapsulates everything that it needs to. It doesn't go into depth on anything unrelated, which I love about it. It follows a similar story as Unrepentant (look above), but it doesn't go into their past as much, which separates the two so much. It's a fairly direct story, but amazingly deep. You notice that the leads both don't talk much, but their actions speak for them and the few words that they do say are super deep. I love the regret theme, not being able to say what you wanted to until its too late.  <<less

This novel makes me cry so hard. I love the story, I love the ending. The characters are so complex and you get to know... more>> them so well based on the little information the author gives you. The translation is also amazing. I truly love the mc and I similarly hate the ml (I don't even want to call him a ml because he does NOT deserve that, nor did he deserve the mc). The mc stays so calm throughout the whole novel and when he breaks down at the end, you really have to break down with him. He's been through so much and has received nothing in return. I really want to just make him forget everything. I want to help him leave everything behind. The ending he chose for himself hurts me too, and yet I'm so glad that he made that decision because I wouldn't know what he could do otherwise. This needs to be read 100%. <<less

I love the story! There is so much condensed information and it is also somehow very spread out. It's a novel based on memories, which... more>> is always great too. I love that it's shown in the viewpoint of somebody more unrelated to the situation too. The story comes together really well overall.  <<less

This novel isn't really a tragedy novel, but it made me cry nevertheless. I love how raw the characters are, and I learned to love... more>> them. When they separated, I truly felt sad. I love that in each chapter I read, there's so many underlying lessons, which serves to develop the character, displaying how they are truly trying to adapt in a new world. The world in the novel is really realistic, and has plot, fluff, bittersweetness, and the characters themselves to tie everything together. It's a really good read. <<less

This actually isn't tragedy, but I still cried reading this. I wasn't crying heavily, but my eyes watered. It's a cute story and only takes a minute or two to read, so try it out.... more>>

One of Zi Xinyu’s Short Stories <<less

I'll say this outright, I don't like the writing. I don't like the character development (if there really is any). I don't even like the... more>> font of the website that its translated on. But the progression of the story was quite good, and I cried regardless. I just wish there was a rewrite of this.  <<less

First, I love the very basis of this novel. It's such a beautiful idea, and like the translator says at the end, while it's a... more>> great depiction, history was probably unlike this portrayal. Overall, it's a beautiful story that hits you where it hurts. <<less

I'm actually not sure if I agree with the fl, but as a reader, that's something I accept. like the rest of the short stories, everything comes together well at the end. I'm not sure if I would've cried if I read this alone, but I did. I kinda wish I could also read/watch a more in-depth version.... more>>

One of Zi Xinyu’s Short Stories <<less

This is such a pure story of disillusionment. The leads are both so great even if you don't hear a lot from them, you can get an amazingly clear picture of what they are like. ... more>>

One of Zi Xinyu’s Short Stories <<less

I really appreciate the progression of this story. The female lead's sadness can get to you very well. Again, not sure if I would've cried reading this novel alone (not in combination with other tragedy novels), but I didn't read this alone. ... more>>

One of Zi Xinyu’s Short Stories <<less

I actually read this a while before I added this on my list because I didn't particularly cry, again. Overall though, the story is pretty powerful. ... more>>

One of Zi Xinyu’s Short Stories <<less

The ending was really sad and I did cry, but not bawl. Somehow it was such a fitting end and while I do wish for... more>> more depth, this was perfect for making me cry a bit.  <<less

It starts out amazingly confusing, and more depth would be appreciated, but again, the idea is good and my eyes watered.

I didn't think that this was a sad novel per say, but it fit on the list along with the other novels that didn't particularly... more>> make me cry. I'm glad with how the fl and ml developed. It was nice that the ml could so easily identify the fl and be so indulgent with her (compared to some mls of other novels smh). They have such perfect chemistry too.  <<less

This is such a simple short story, but it tells you so much about the characters. There is an amazing balance with how the story... more>> progresses and how much the past is brought up. The ending really breaks my heart (and the translator also made a pretty good alternate ending too). <<less

This novel has such amazing simplicity in it. I love the fl so so so so much. She's such a strong and decisive person and... more>> while she considers her emotions, she doesn't let them control her. It's so amazing how she could make the decision she did. The characters are so perfectly positioned and just enough info is given to make you cry throughout the entire novel. PLEASE read this.  <<less

I like the ending, and it made me cry a few tears, but overall, I didn't completely get the story. I continue to think that... more>> the mc is a crap person and we didn't get enough of the ml, but I guess that's the beauty of it- loving the story for what it is.  <<less

Let me first clarify that I did not put this here because I cried (Ik that's the purpose of this list), I put this here... more>> for the genre and how the story had the potential to make me cry. The plot is in fact, fine, I've seen it before but that was fine. However, the story didn't develop the relationship between the characters enough (if at all). I couldn't connect with the situation given that the reader receives so little to work on.  <<less

My eyes watered if anything. I liked the plotline a bit. I liked the character personalities, but there wasn't enough. We barely get any backstory,... more>> I can't really connect with the characters. I thought that the result was simply a consequence of their actions. A simple novel that might make you cry if you are already crying, but not on its own. <<less

I cried like 5 times when reading this novel. I. Despise. Cheaters. I'm in love with the ending, every part of this is tragedy. The... more>> characters are all developed and you get a pretty good understanding of everything. The wording isn't something I love, but it doesn't distract from the story. <<less

The idea is a lot like A Decade of Deep Love, but the format is something I love a lot more. I read this right... more>> after reading A Decade of Deep Love so I don't have much to say about the story. I wish that the ml (if I can even call him that) got more retribution, but it was still a great end. I don't particularly like how the mc ended up, but it makes the story work.  <<less

You could truly feel for the characters, the novel is simply that realistic and down-to-earth. The tragic scenes weren't the saddest, but they were still... more>> sad. <<less