I read a book about 20 years ago. It was quite harrowing in places, but this is what I remember.
The book is set in Eastern Europe. Possibly in Romania. It’s about a young boy, wandering the countryside. There are acts of cruelty, for example in one scene he’s hanging from a rafter and a vicious dog is watching him from below.
Also, a woman accused of maybe adultery is punished with a glass bottle ( not going into detail here )
Apparently the author commit suicide after.
I realise it’s vague, but I’ve been trying for ages to think of anything other details!