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prawdziwki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Vomit, Acephobia/Arophobia, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Racism, Medical content, Grief, Outing, and Classism
hailsmars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
alevssia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Just don’t read it.helenadominick's review against another edition
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
emmadebussy's review against another edition
- 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
Those who share my insurmountable desire to read this book should anticipate the absolute worst upon reviewing the content warnings.
For those who want to read the majority of the most traumatic events in the book but end on a happy note, stop right before Section V, Chapter 2. Rip the rest of the pages out and burn them.
This being said, I would still describe A Little Life as a beautiful work of art. There are uplifting, touching moments and others that were gut wrenching and made me feel physically ill. While the term trauma-porn undoubtably applies to this story, it so accurately depicts the potential lasting impact of trauma, the non-linear processes of healing, and the internal dialogue of those dealing with severe depression and suicidal ideation.
I disagree with the criticism that this book is against therapy. I would argue that it accurately represents many people’s resistance to therapy, that it is not as helpful for those unwilling to openly participate in the process, and that it is not an immediate or complete fix for most people.
This story is realistic in how it presents sensitive subject matter, which is what makes it so upsetting to read, and difficult process after the fact. Its primary flaw is the very real damage it could cause for some readers.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Car accident
Sexual violence against children was explicit but I personally did not find it >AS< graphic as non-sexual violence, and instances carried out against adults. Self harm and suicidal thoughts are described in detail.lanid's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Dysphoria
Minor: Biphobia and Acephobia/Arophobia
riella_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
stitchbooks22's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
leefox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
samanthabeckett22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail