Reviews

this was a very emotional read, and i think the characters' words will stick with me for a good bit. looking forward to re-reading it and taking more time to sit with the prose.

Content Warnings

bumby's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

an utterly splendid description of the Human Condition

this book is a homage to Love- all the kinds of Love Jude received and the entirely unrelenting nature of it- even when defeat seemed totally evidentt

And I think the final message of this book is perfectly summed up by Harold:

“ And so I try to be kind to everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him “

annrhub's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

justin_dunn's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

drevie's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is devastation upon devastation but doesn’t feel like trauma porn. Because there is good in there too. Most of Jude’s life is wonderful but the beginning of it was so bad for so long that it taints everything. It’s so heartbreaking. All four friends need hugs but none so much as Jude.
I was constantly thinking of these characters. I had dreams about them. I wondered about what would happen next, and how they would deal with it. I will continue to think about these characters for a long time to come.

Thinking about this book more I realized that what I liked about the book and the other book I read this year and am obsessed with, Hot Springs Drive, is seeing the long lasting effects of trauma. How it shapes people differently but everlastingly.

charlottereadsthings's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

I saw someone once give a review of this book by saying "i think everyone on earth should read this but I want no one to go through what I did reading it." And honestly, I don't think there could be a better review of it.

Simply put, A Little Life is a masterpiece and one of the quickest five stars I knew I was going to give a book.

It follows a group of friends throughout decades but really ir's more about the life of one in particular in the group: Jude. The book goes through periods of his life, unearthing difficulties and traumas that had me sobbing hysterically at points. I desperately turned pages, wanting more, then being stabbed in the chest when I achieved that.

For a book so big and so vast, with the subject matters it does, it was so incredibly easy to read. The writing style never felt "too much" and I think what truly makes this book is the fact that it's just human. It felt like reading about real people with real, relatable problems. While I deseperately hoped for certain outcomes, I could understand the perspective of the characters wholeheartedly; which the experience all the more bittersweet.

I will think about this book and carry it with me forever.

Content Warnings

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