Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

1758 reviews

sincerelymarika's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A Little Life accomplishes what it sets out to do: to make the reader question the value of life and also to question what makes life worth (or not worth) living. Yanagihara is particularly good at weaving together storylines that have parallels and relevant themes  so that the entire book feels cohesive and overall satisfying. 

That being said, I think I could cut 200-300 pages and end up with a book that is just as deeply impactful and far less boring. There is a lot of detail that does little to actually flesh out characters or add atmosphere, that just make the story drag. Despite the other literary feats that are accomplished, there is just too much slog. 

The last section,
from the perspective of Harold speaking to Willam,
is the perfect way to end the book, wrapping the novel up masterfully. I did cry, which given my attitude towards the rest of the story while I was reading, did surprise me. 

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winterjulii's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0


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cleotheo's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.5

brutal and gentle
heavy and delicate
sad and beautiful 
I listened to the audiobook on 1x speed for the most part. It was beautifully written and very very long. 
Do yourself a favour and pick the abridged version (I read unabridged) and take the content warnings seriossly!!!

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bighunna's review against another edition

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dark sad tense 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

4.0


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annisonharhay's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

honestly not sure what to say about this book except that I felt like it was lowkey trauma-porn. So many scenes felt unnecessarily violent and there seems to be no redemption for the main character who is disabled and gay... what does that say about the experience of those two identities? I wouldn't recommend to anyone who is sensitive to issues of domestic violence/abuse/suicidal ideation/rape/etc. 

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kayak77's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective 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


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jennnareads333's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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


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geoneo2001's review against another edition

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challenging dark 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

4.75


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azulmuller's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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juliesmm's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense 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

4.5


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