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melinoe0's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
amaceing84's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
remjunior's review against another edition
3.0
Oof. This is, by far, the most depressing novel I've ever read. And I've read Blood Meridian.
I think there is an argument to be made either way for this book: it's salacious, unrealistic, bloated, and purposefully as dark as it can be for no other reason than it can be; or, it's a realistic portrayal of the effects of abuse and tells the story of someone who goes well beyond and above where he should be able to considering his past.
I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I found the first half of the novel engrossing. The writing is very good and I enjoyed learning about each friend in this group. But somewhere after that halfway point, the novel started to feel *very* repetitive and bloated. I honestly think 100-200 pages could have been cut and the impact would not have been lost.
The relationship between Jude and Willem was....surprising. I don't think I liked it because it felt so forced, but on the other hand the best romantic relationships are built on friendship. I don't know. It was just a little hamfisted to me and probably could've been skipped, saving a lot of pages and getting to the end quicker.
As it stands, it just felt relentless and was exhausting to read. I did enjoy it, but I'm not sure that I *loved* it.
I think there is an argument to be made either way for this book: it's salacious, unrealistic, bloated, and purposefully as dark as it can be for no other reason than it can be; or, it's a realistic portrayal of the effects of abuse and tells the story of someone who goes well beyond and above where he should be able to considering his past.
I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I found the first half of the novel engrossing. The writing is very good and I enjoyed learning about each friend in this group. But somewhere after that halfway point, the novel started to feel *very* repetitive and bloated. I honestly think 100-200 pages could have been cut and the impact would not have been lost.
The relationship between Jude and Willem was....surprising. I don't think I liked it because it felt so forced, but on the other hand the best romantic relationships are built on friendship. I don't know. It was just a little hamfisted to me and probably could've been skipped, saving a lot of pages and getting to the end quicker.
As it stands, it just felt relentless and was exhausting to read. I did enjoy it, but I'm not sure that I *loved* it.
dandelionwine1928's review against another edition
3.0
This book is obviously compelling and poignant. The prose is absolutely beautiful. That's part of the reason I was able to get through all 800 pages of it. But it could have also used some editing. I felt like there were enough scenes that didn't move anything forward, or that seemed like repetitions of earlier scenes. Much of it felt drawn out and slow. I think about 200+ pages could have been cut out without losing the crucial storyline.
The friendships portrayed are also beautiful, if not a bit underdeveloped in some ways. We never really get to see why or how the four became friends, and I didn't understand why, other than having been together for so long, they stayed friends.
Something that did bother me was the lack of female characters...all the women in the book were peripheral and inconsequential. Even Julia, who arguably has a somewhat larger role in the story, seems forgettable. It was kind of weird to me, especially since it is written by a woman.
Additionally, I had a hard time getting through it, especially after what happens with Caleb. The story is so bleak and hopeless. It was like sinking into a pit of despair every time I opened it, and by the end I was ready to be done with it. be cautious if you read it, because this book is rife with triggers.
As a whole, I can't truthfully say I enjoyed this book much. But I did appreciate it. It obviously taps into some base human feeling (that we are all unworthy? unlovable? you decide), which is why I think it has garnered so much hype. It's also quite bold and shocking. But it definitely isn't an easy read, or a satisfying one, really.
The friendships portrayed are also beautiful, if not a bit underdeveloped in some ways. We never really get to see why or how the four became friends, and I didn't understand why, other than having been together for so long, they stayed friends.
Something that did bother me was the lack of female characters...all the women in the book were peripheral and inconsequential. Even Julia, who arguably has a somewhat larger role in the story, seems forgettable. It was kind of weird to me, especially since it is written by a woman.
Additionally, I had a hard time getting through it, especially after what happens with Caleb. The story is so bleak and hopeless. It was like sinking into a pit of despair every time I opened it, and by the end I was ready to be done with it. be cautious if you read it, because this book is rife with triggers.
As a whole, I can't truthfully say I enjoyed this book much. But I did appreciate it. It obviously taps into some base human feeling (that we are all unworthy? unlovable? you decide), which is why I think it has garnered so much hype. It's also quite bold and shocking. But it definitely isn't an easy read, or a satisfying one, really.
pikachihiro's review against another edition
5.0
I'll update this soon, but it took me almost a year to finish this book, however, that's because I had to return it to the library and wait for MONTHS to get it back. I had read up to page 180 in about a week, then I restarted from 153 and finished it within three days. I couldn't stop once I restarted, and in comparison to other books, this is a 5 star and others pale. It's in a league of its own. I was able to talk to my good friend about it (actually the person who inspired me to get it before she had even read it); ironically, i got it because of her, started it before her without knowing anything about it other than her desire to read it and it having an outstanding cover, and then she finished it before me, months later, and i finally got it from the library and finished it about two months after she finished it. So we both experienced it and spoke about its short comings (mostly Jude--her that he's so unlikable and indulgent in his torture, and me in that we never really got to see him in anyone else's eyes to truly learn what he was like as a friend). He's the main character and while we know so much about him, his psyche, and his past, we don't know enough to see what others saw in him outside of himself. I wanted to see more of what he was like during conversations with friends that instilled so much loyalty and love, but I'll add to this in time. I absolutely adored the full circle ending, leaving off with a memory from the beginning, and I felt like Willem was a fully formed version of Harold Crick (Stranger Than Fiction) and would like to know what Dustin Hoffman's character would say about this "little" (did he know) life. Anyway. Superb. I wanna bump every five star down to a four star after reading this.
katjammer'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
5.0
feepie's review against another edition
4.0
The ending was too much for me, it feels like all of the things that happened just ends miserably :( there was no hope at all
sngsweelian's review against another edition
2.0
Actually did not finish the book but Goodreads doesn't have a DNF option. Can't connect with the characters and don't see anything much happening after a few chapters. Don't understand the rave reviews for the book. Sigh.
maddiezuschlag's review against another edition
5.0
I sit here sobbing as I write this, having just finished the book. A Little Life is the hardest, most heart wrenching book I have ever read, yet one of the most beautifully written books I’ve had the chance of reading. I had to take several weeks long breaks in the middle of reading because the subject matter is difficult to get through, and I cannot stress the matter of trigger warnings enough. This book is not for everyone and please read with caution. Hanya Yanagihara, thank you for introducing me to Jude- I cared for him as if he was a real person and cried for him as if he was my close friend. 5 stars.
ceri's review against another edition
What a slog man. The writing style in this did absolutely nothing for me. If I didn't have the audiobook I would've never finished it. Still took me almost 4 MONTHS