Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

608 reviews

peachy_gene's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I don't know what to say about this beyond what's already been said. This book ruined my life and offered a very helpful perspective on things in my own life. 

 I don't think this book hit me the way it seems to hit for people that don't listen to trauma for 40 hours a week [I'm a trauma therapist].There was nothing shocking about this book, however, the details are unimaginably difficult to read. I don't find Yanagihara's writing really all that beautiful- but this story is also really really ugly so I feel like that's on purpose? A devastating demonstration of love, and a reminder that sometimes love is not enough to make people choose to stay. 

This book [imo] asks readers to have hard conversations with loved ones and reminds us to make sure our loved ones know the role they play in our lives- it shines light on the fact that Even if they know, they may not be able to be that forever.  Sometimes we can't save people, especially from themselves, and especially from what the world has done to them. This book requires empathy and emotional shieldng to get through. 

I see a lot of people saying Jude was enabled and frustrating and I agree. But I do think Yanagihara's depiction of what it's like to never be able to see yourself through the eyes of those who love you is extremely well done . The story depicts how formative our earliest years are  in relation to how we trust, and form connection and this that translates into adult life. This novel is very much trauma a centered, and looks very deeply at the way trauma shapes our worldview, self perception and life outlook especially when we are leg to believe we are non-human undeserving of the healing it takes to seek trust and the company is others, to crave it desperately and have no idea what to do with that once we have obtained it. 

I didn't have any visceral reaction this except for the imagery which was rare. The depictions of abuse, are Even written in a very flat way. The only time I felt anything was when the pov was from Harold, but again- this feels intentional given the subject matter. I think we are perhaps meant to be emotionally disconnected, as Jude has had to be. 

I certainly didn't feel that this is the great gay novel by any means. But it is perhaps, an excellent case study for trauma's influence of the human existence if left untreated for a lifetime. It also lends excellent focus to the challenges when life is constant body horror, Jude's inability to connect with his even when he absolutely needed to, his constant act of rebellion towards the vessel he inhabits as punishment for sins he never committed; the impact of rage that is held within and never expressed.This commentary is something that is deeply felt, but extra so when a reader has a very specific set of traumas. 

It looks at codependency, [lack of] autonomy, illness, what it means to exist in a body when you couldn't consent to being born,  and asks what community is actually responsible for when a person has to be convinced that life really can be with living. This is not a hopeful story. It's sad and I can't ever recommend it to anyone. It never gets better. It has layers that I kept trying to find hope in, with no success. It's nothing but suffering, even happiness glimmers are temporary. I found it truly human at times, while deeply unbelievable at others, but mostly, I found it relatable and for that reason I will be talking about it with my therapist tomorrow. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Medical trauma, Vomit, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gore, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Trafficking, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Ableism

alinute's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Mental illness, Bullying, Violence, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Incest, Gaslighting, Cursing, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Torture, Xenophobia, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Racism, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, Car accident, Child abuse, Body shaming, Body horror, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship

kkgarrett's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Something I haven’t seen in the discourse around this book is that it’s about neglect.

Of course explicitly in childhood. Even into adulthood, though, people with the ability to help Jude stop just short of providing adequate mental health services. My hot take is that Andy is a bad doctor!

Also bisexuals exist!!! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Trafficking, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Pedophilia, Self harm, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Vomit, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Blood, and Addiction

hannahleereads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence

aclancy974's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I’m going to be thinking about this for a long time. In the best way. Memorable. Soulful. Moving. But please see content warnings, this could be potentially triggering or you may want to prepare to read differently ❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Confinement, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Blood, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Abandonment, Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual assault, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Car accident, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Ableism

Minor: Islamophobia

caitlin_d89's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Take notes, they will help so much at first. It will say “he did” / “he said” but the POV changes up without notice so knowing the characters will keep you from being confused. Hard book to read since it’s so emotional but such a good read. I felt connected to the characters, almost like a friend by the end so you really feel their feels. Triggers! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Dysphoria, Blood, Ableism, Medical content, Gaslighting, Confinement, Body shaming, Abandonment, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Self harm, Torture, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Rape, Trafficking, Suicide, Mental illness, Gore, Domestic abuse, Chronic illness, Body horror, Incest, and Child abuse

Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Gaslighting, Addiction, Bullying, Gore, Biphobia, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Incest, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, and Kidnapping

jessiemcg's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m really struggling to rate this book. The actual RELIEF I felt when I finally turned the last page and finished reading this. As someone who cry’s at literally everything - this book didn’t make me cry. It was however, so consuming in how it made me feel. Incredibly sad, depressing and altogether draining. A very hard book to read and one I wouldn’t recommend.

Every time I put it down, I didn’t want to pick it up again. On reflection - doesn’t it say something that writing can evoke such a reaction? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Homophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Addiction, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Death, Gaslighting, Torture, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, and Medical trauma

lisadejonge05_'s review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

There are sad books, there are  devastating books, and there is A Little Life.
All its 800 pages are filled with sadness, tears and trauma, punchin you in the gut. I think about Jude every single day, these characters feel like family and I refused to let them leave me after finishing this  monstrosity  of a book. Hanya Yanighara is a true treasure, really being able to make you feel with her words. This was hard to read, but it was all worth it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Suicide

alycnsuha's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I'm glad i decided to pick up this book.

Honestly I still got confused about who's the author talking about until the 3rd chapters but nvm. The plot was actually good I love how details the stories are. But I think the ending is a little uhh cliffhanging(??) since they didn't actually tell what happened to Jude that made him became 👼🏻👼🏻

I've grown to love them so much especially Jude and Willem. I feel like I've watched them growing up my whole life. My poor Jude... anyways it didn't get me sobs for hours. Yes I did shed tears a little and had me to stop reading and relax myself. It was a neverending tragedies I'm so proud of Jude for trying and holding until his last breath. Those shits he went through wasn't easy I'm so glad he had people who actually cares and love for him. This book has got me realizing that there are few of peoples who do cares about us but sometimes we can't see it because we resent them. I have my all respect and love for Harold, he lost  the people who he loves and cares the most. I'm thankful for Harold and Willem the most for not giving up on Jude, for always being the with him, help and gives all the affection he secretly craves, for being so patient with him all their lives.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual violence, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Car accident, Eating disorder, Deadnaming, Gore, Grief, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts

dana_21857's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book has got to be one of the best books I have ever read. I don't give out 5 stars easily. And almost never for fiction. By ten percent of this book, I knew what I held in my hands. The greatness. The raw, imperfect, human, unfair mirror that this book is. A mirror of life itself. 

A few days ago, I was at 50% then, I heard someone saying they wouldn't ever read this book, because they knew the plot and it's "trauma porn about gay men written by a woman". 

This description infuriates me and makes it so blatantly clear that she didn't know, not really, what this book is about.

I found myself relating to Jude in aspects no one should, yet many of us do.

The way these characters are written they feel so real, so complex, so human, that I checked several times if this really wasn't some kind of auto biography.

The writing is so beautiful, that I now don't dare to call myself a writer because I do not compare to what lies before me in that book. Most authors don't. 

The title couldn't be more fitting. It really is a little life. A life so many of us endure. 

It captures the depth, power and possibilities that human relationships hold beautifully. 

When I find the emotional capacity I'll read it again and annotate it.

Would I recommend this book to everyone? No, definitely not.

To experience this book the way it is meant to, the way I believe I have, is to feel the story without drowning in it.

Someone in the depths of their struggle with trauma, sh, eds or bipolar shouldn't read this.

This book is graphic, emotionally and also about the physical aspects. Just like life is. It doesn't censor. Just like life doesn't.

As someone who has been in therapy for all those topics over the last 6 years, I am shocked at how accurate it depicts mental illness, trauma, specifically dissesociation and cptsd and the addiction that sh provides. 

I feel deeply for Jude, and I see myself in him. Of how my life could've gone and could still go.

This book is as raw, unapologetic and unfair as life is and leaves us, the reader, aching, wondering, unbelieving.

This book is perfect in every way and I will forever be greatful to have experienced it. Looking forward to my second read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Chronic illness, Rape, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Sexual assault