Gormenghast by  Mervyn Peake

She had shown him by her independence how it was only fear that held people together. The fear of being alone and the fear of being different

Indeed he had worn that piece of furniture - or symbol of bone-laziness - into such a shape as made the descent of any other body than his own into that crater of undulating horsehair a hazardous enterprise

For what is more lovable than failure?