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kait51db's review against another edition
- 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
believe it or not, i have compliments! like i said, the writing style is my personal favorite—a little tedious, a little pretentious, but so stream-of-thought and beautiful that it's worth sitting with the long sentences and paragraphs. i loved the characters dearly. the heart-wrenching experience of the day-to-day struggle of managing mental illness and trauma that can never truly be healed was depicted brutally but honestly. it is not something i regret reading, or something i will say no one should read, but it is something worth ruminating on if reading it is worth it. talk to people who have read it, find the warnings (and not just a "trigger warning for everything" because that is useless and the specifics matter!), and really assess if the emotional destress if something you can manage for the benefit of loving a book. this is a book i learned from, but not a book required to learn.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent
incredibly brutal depictions of assault, sexual and physical.abwilli's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
erikajosephison'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
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
k_coston's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I go into recommendations blind and all I heard was this made people on tiktok cry, so here is my review after listening to the audiobook for 3 months spoilers are present
1. there's a problem with how there was no care provided to Jude after he got outta his situation like Anya ow whatever her name was didn't set up any counseling after what he went and survived through???? OK, it seems fake, but ok
2. he's such a victim, like it's hard for me to feel sympathy when they unravel his story intermittently throughout the book . It explains why he's like that but it's just a me thing that I didn't like how the book was set up I almost would've wanted them to wait until the end to reveal what happened to him
3. I feel like the author was deriving pleasure how much she was dumping on Jude, like it was extremely hard to continue at times, and I would've dnfed if I was reading the actual book. I feel like that experience with Dr trailer was completely unnecessary to the story like it was just like "again really we already did this with brother luke" while listening to it also the story of how the Dr got Jude needed to be explained more throughly
4. willem and Jude had respect for each other but not love like willem took advantage of Jude and that really disgusted me when we found out he suspected Jude didn't like having sex with him and he still subjected him to it? after already guessing he had sexual trauma, you did that to the person you supposedly loved most? actually, he didn't even respect him. You don't do that to people you love.
5. how does Jude have a backbone in only 1 area of his life? only work. on top of not having a backbone, he doesn't have a personality! he doesnt share anything about himself it seems like he's being pitied by everyone around him all the time, like he does not develop whatsoever from page one and I feel like I myself don't know anything about Jude other than he doesn't like himself but even after a while a victim has to take a stand for themselves and we're rooting for him to get some self esteem and it just never develops. if you don't have a backbone for yourself and for no one else, how are you supposed to stand the test of time? how are you supposed to take the rocks that life throw at you??? that's exactly why Caleb was allowed to do what he did to Jude and why Jude was always bound to kill himself in the end.
6. this is a book that doesn't have any character development in the slightest and I was holding out until the last moment that the author would do the humane thing and give Jude a happy ending but no. it was a vile book of trauma porn with no resolution so you spend the entire book reading about unthinkable pain and suffering so much so that you start wanting him to die to put him out of his misery.
very cruel Hanya.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, 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, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Drug abuse, and Dementia
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: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Minor: Incest, Infidelity, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail