Reviews

Une vie comme les autres by Hanya Yanagihara

ambawamba99's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense 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

amyw_97's review against another edition

4.0

This book was very, very emotional. The author truly spent their time writing and dragging out the details of the four characters who are best friends- Jude, JB, Malcolm, and Willem. Though after a while, readers find out that the novel is more about Jude, and the struggle to overcome the extreme abuse he endured as a child. This book made me cry, that one part with Ana and Jude when he was younger, and her trying getting him to speak or explain was the saddest part for me. I could not get over that-- even as I think of it now, it brings me to tears. There are times when the novel allows you to see unsavoury part of characters, even Jude, who is seen as selfish and stubborn at times but still begging for help. JB's horrid behavior and humour, and still the four are friends, on and off. I have to say, I really enjoyed the novel but the reason I give it 4 stars has to be because of the way it dragged on-- I really got tired of the characterization, especially near the end.

The novel itself made me question whether people would care for someone so much in real life. The way Harold and Julia care for Jude, right until the end, is heartwarming and sad all at the same time. And then there is Andy, a doctor who Jude can confide in and Willem, Jude's best friend. They care for him so much. Then there are the numerous friends they have who keep an eye out for Jude. I feel like in real life, people don't have that kind of empathy anymore. If someone wanted to die so bad as Jude had, I feel like the people in this world would've let him die.

And so this novel is really one I recommend- it's depressing, dark, but with a little bit of optimism at times- it's an emotional rollercoaster, at a slower speed. Enjoy it.

paige555's review against another edition

5.0

i might try to write an actual review eventually but i’m crying way too much for that right now so basically… this is now by far my favorite book but i think it’ll be a while before i’m able to revisit it because that was so emotionally draining

libbysbooks_'s review against another edition

5.0

Wow, how do I summarise my feelings about this book? Jude’s story is one that I will never forget. The writing is nothing but magnificent. I absolutely adore how beautiful the imagery and writing style is. I’ve never felt in such awe for how an author writes. The story is such a heartbreaking tale of how the world can chew up and spit people out. A lot of people have said it’s trauma for the sake of trauma, but I massively disagree. I related to a lot of Jude’s thinking styles and his struggles with self harm and history of abuse. I felt connected to him in ways I don’t often feel connected to characters in books. His story is a sad, yet realistic one. The things that have happened to him seem unthinkable and yet they happen every day. His relationships with his friends and especially Willem filled me with so much joy. His relationship with Harold was heartwarming. I adored the way Harold thought of him and reading his letters broke my heart. This is a story of the horrors of life and the aftermath of childhood abuse, the aftermath of domestic abuse, the aftermath of grief and I appreciated how real it was. This is definitely one of my favourite books, but I would say to anyone wanting to read it, proceed with caution as the descriptions of self harm and abuse, partially sexual abuse are very graphic.

l1vingd3adgirl's review against another edition

5.0

i don’t even want to think about this book anymore… yet i can’t keep it out of my head. im heartbroken and so in love with the characters. reaching the end felt like crossing a long awaited finish line but even still i am somewhat desperate to be back in the story. i do not recommend this book, even if i would, in a heartbeat, say that it owns my mind, body, and soul.

ylloh25's review against another edition

it's just too much. it's very graphic, and I made me feel bad. I read the plot summary online, and it was just not the book for me. too heavy. EVERY TRIGGER WARNING IS NEEDED ALSO.

jrdnchppll's review against another edition

5.0

This book got me into reading again.

david_jon's review against another edition

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

4.5

imogenimi's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

As much as books can make me feel really sad, I usually don’t shed actual tears, but this book was the exception. I absolutely sobbed at the end and cried a bit at various other points too, this is just so so heartbreaking. The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because in a way this was just too depressing to derive any pleasure from reading it at points, coupled with the fact it was wayyy too graphic for me in terms of self harm. I totally appreciate why this wasn’t filtered or shyed away from, but it affected me so much emotionally that i almost stopped reading. The character development is just insane and I will keep Jude with me for a long time

my6boyzmom's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely the most depressing book I've ever read. I wanted to put it down because it was absolutely heart wrenching but I was so hooked on the characters that I couldn't stop.