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cslanzi's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is three separate stories - although the characters names are the same and there are some reoccurring themes they are essentially unrelated. I really liked the first and last of the three - the middle one bc was just ok.
eljarvo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
kim_reads_1129's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
morgpurv's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
_haven_'s review
IM OVERWHELMED WITH OTHER BOOKS (will come back to this later, i did like what i read so far).
bbarre's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
2.5
henry_kujak's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebobsphere's review against another edition
4.0
I will say straight away that Hanya Yanagihara’s third novel, To Paradise is not a repeat of A Little Life. At least superficially. Thus, no cutting, abusive priests, toxic lovers or life changing accidents. HOWEVER, A Little Life was an in depth look at relationships between same sex couples and that is a prominent theme as well.
The book is divided into 3 sections, all a 100 years apart: 1893. 1993 and 2093. Technically they are all linked, if one bothers to draw up a family tree but it’s not the point. Rather it’s the uniting themes. It is worth noting that each section ends with the words ‘ To Paradise’ and each has their own context.
The 1893 section takes place in an alternate version of the U.S. which is divided into free states, where same sex couples can marry and colonies. The main protagonist, David (there are a lot of Davids in this book) Bingham, part of a well to do family, falls in love with Edward, who is outside his social sphere. His grandfather wants him to marry the equally noble Charles Griffiths but David refuses and runs away. As a result he is breaking free from the constraints of society and heading to Paradise.
Next is 1993 and present day. This time Charles is the well to do person and David is his lover. This is during the AIDS crises. Later on the narrative focus goes to David’s father who talks about their life in Hawaii and the discovery of land which David’s father owns, which he calls paradise in Hawaiian. This section is about father/son relationships, colonialism and social class. Personally I felt that this was the weakest part of the book.
The third part is in a plague ridden US. There are sanctions, rations and state killings. Here the narrative bounces between a series of letters written by Charles, a Hawaiian and a sort of mystery involving his granddaughter Charlie, daughter of Charles’ son David. Eventually Charlie has to leave the US and head off to New Britain, or Paradise. I thought this was the strongest section. The style is not unlike Ishiguro crossed with Orwell.
To Paradise is an expansive novel, and for the most part, a flowing read. Hanya Yanagihara delves into the depths of relationships without ever being exhausting. Despite most the characters having the same name, I never felt confused. needless to say that the writing is gorgeous, it was a pleasure to read these sentences.
A Little Life could be described as a modern classic and, although, To Paradise does not have that shock factor, it still can be considered to be Hanya Yanagihara’s second ‘hit’ (I still have to read her debut though) . With To Paradise, Hanya Yanagihara has cemented herself as one of the finest and astute contemporary authors.
The book is divided into 3 sections, all a 100 years apart: 1893. 1993 and 2093. Technically they are all linked, if one bothers to draw up a family tree but it’s not the point. Rather it’s the uniting themes. It is worth noting that each section ends with the words ‘ To Paradise’ and each has their own context.
The 1893 section takes place in an alternate version of the U.S. which is divided into free states, where same sex couples can marry and colonies. The main protagonist, David (there are a lot of Davids in this book) Bingham, part of a well to do family, falls in love with Edward, who is outside his social sphere. His grandfather wants him to marry the equally noble Charles Griffiths but David refuses and runs away. As a result he is breaking free from the constraints of society and heading to Paradise.
Next is 1993 and present day. This time Charles is the well to do person and David is his lover. This is during the AIDS crises. Later on the narrative focus goes to David’s father who talks about their life in Hawaii and the discovery of land which David’s father owns, which he calls paradise in Hawaiian. This section is about father/son relationships, colonialism and social class. Personally I felt that this was the weakest part of the book.
The third part is in a plague ridden US. There are sanctions, rations and state killings. Here the narrative bounces between a series of letters written by Charles, a Hawaiian and a sort of mystery involving his granddaughter Charlie, daughter of Charles’ son David. Eventually Charlie has to leave the US and head off to New Britain, or Paradise. I thought this was the strongest section. The style is not unlike Ishiguro crossed with Orwell.
To Paradise is an expansive novel, and for the most part, a flowing read. Hanya Yanagihara delves into the depths of relationships without ever being exhausting. Despite most the characters having the same name, I never felt confused. needless to say that the writing is gorgeous, it was a pleasure to read these sentences.
A Little Life could be described as a modern classic and, although, To Paradise does not have that shock factor, it still can be considered to be Hanya Yanagihara’s second ‘hit’ (I still have to read her debut though) . With To Paradise, Hanya Yanagihara has cemented herself as one of the finest and astute contemporary authors.
jack_wilson's review
challenging
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0