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pmayes'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
4.75
Vivid Characterization: Yanagihara’s ability to create deeply layered characters is truly remarkable. Each friend has their own struggles, dreams, and past traumas. Jude, in particular, stands out as the novel’s enigmatic protagonist. His mysterious past and ongoing struggles with physical and emotional pain make him a compelling and unforgettable character. I hurt for him, yet at the same time, I was also frustrated with him. He didn't see himself for the remarkable human being he was despite all that he had been through; but isn't that life?
Emotional Intensity: The novel’s vividness extends beyond its descriptive prose. Readers are immersed in the characters’ lives, feeling their joy, sorrow, and heartache. Yanagihara doesn’t shy away from depicting raw emotions, and as a result, readers experience a rollercoaster of feelings while reading. I can't tell you the amount of times that I ranted to my roommate and others about how this book made me feel, super happy, super sad, angry, etc.
Sad Backgrounds, Amazing Lives: The friends’ backgrounds are marked by tragedy and hardship. Yet, as they grow older, they achieve professional success and build meaningful relationships. This contrast between their painful pasts and their present accomplishments adds depth to the narrative. It’s a reminder that life is multifaceted, and even amidst success, inner struggles persist. I've heard people talk about how sad this book is, but I rarely hear people discuss the amazing success that every character had in this book. I think that should be highlighted just as much as the sad parts.
Jude’s Struggles: Jude’s journey is central to the novel. His traumatic childhood, self-harm, and emotional scars haunt him throughout his life. Despite his achievements, he remains haunted by his past. This struggle resonates with readers, illustrating how our history can shape our present and future. This book definitely should come with a slew of trigger warnings. It can be a lot to take in. I had to take several breaks while reading this book; just to collect myself and digest what was happening. Indeed, Jude’s ongoing battle with his past trauma mirrors the complexities of real life. Success doesn’t erase pain, and our past experiences continue to influence us. Yanagihara captures this truth beautifully, showing that even amidst accomplishments, inner demons persist.
I will add that at times it was hard to follow what was happening within the book. The chapters or sections would start and you wouldn't know who was speaking or who's perspective was being told until you were half-way through that section. So, that made an already long read, even longer for me. I found myself rereading sections multiple times.
Also, be sure to have your dictionary handy while reading this. This book uses so many complex, but descriptive, words, that I myself had not heard of before. This may not be an accessible book for everyone; especially given the average reading level in the US is at the 3rd grade level.
In summary, A Little Life is an emotionally charged masterpiece that invites readers to grapple with the human condition. Yanagihara’s writing is both exquisite and devastating, leaving an indelible mark on anyone who ventures into the lives of these unforgettable characters. However, it is also, at times, a difficult read emotionally and literally.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Physical abuse, Self harm, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Ableism, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Injury/Injury detail
readerrae'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
5.0
Please check the warnings beforehand, the content in this is brutal at the very least, and the horrors these friends go through are described in great detail. Not gory exactly, but very detailed in their explanations.
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Self harm, Vomit, Blood, Grief, Mental illness, Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
avenevs'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: Blood, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Gore, Grief, Self harm, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Drug use, Racism, Death of parent, Mental illness, Suicide, Child death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Car accident, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
cecifeli'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
1.5
Don’t get me wrong (i’m not heartless), sometimes it was tender and sweet. It was just a lot to handle and it seemed like a very unrealistic, deranged situation. (I know it’s fiction, and I know it’s purpose is not to reflect real life. But the trauma upon trauma upon trauma, made me detached from the story, and it felt at times I was reading a telenovela.)
Amazing writing and pacing. A real page turner even though sometimes you were so heartbroken that the last you’d wanna do is find out what happens next. Fully fledged characters and a slow steady pace. Yanagihara is a very talented writer. I read it in 3 days.
I didn’t like it. I didn’t cry (not that that matters). Not for the faint hearted though. Made me reflect. Sometimes I think it’s decent, sometimes I thinks it’s torture porn (this is up for the readers interpretation). Idk if I’ll read more from her.
PS By unrealistic i mean this:
Idk how to feel abt Jude’s entourage, I think they should’ve pushed harder into therapy and hospitals and help in general. This is my bone to pick w the author. But hell, what do I know?
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Grief, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Self harm, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Abortion
18ksmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Medical content, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, Violence, Mental illness, Rape, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Dementia, Ableism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Homophobia
becphe'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Self harm, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Torture, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Mental illness, Body horror, Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Confinement, Vomit, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Violence, Outing, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Confinement, Eating disorder, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Kidnapping, Infidelity, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
mykaz'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
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Cursing, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Grief
dragonsandfoxes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Dementia, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Cursing, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Bullying, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Torture, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Addiction, Grief, Cancer, Gore, Sexual harassment, and Trafficking
juliarenae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Ableism, Suicide, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Dysphoria, Drug abuse, Addiction, Self harm, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Chronic illness, Car accident, Blood, Physical abuse, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Torture, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Gore, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Drug use, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Cursing, Death, Toxic friendship, and Medical trauma
meganshil13'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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Grief, Suicide, Blood, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Addiction, Cursing, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Ableism, and Car accident