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zitaknowshowtoread 's review for:
A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
Originally read this during the summer of 2022 and I'm finally getting around to posting my review.
Instagram @zitaofthebooks, August 5, 2022
It took two days of no internet, an entire row of sticky notes, and many, many breaks, but in just under three days I finished this book (after literal months of trying to get into it). I don’t think I’ve ever been this affected by a book, to where even a week later I am thinking about it.
Something about Yanagihara’s writing pulls readers in so if I can tell you one thing it’s this: don’t see this book as a challenge to see if you can get through it, or read it because everyone else did, read this book (after you’ve had a thorough read of the trigger warnings) when you’re ready and at your own pace, if you decide to. Yanagihara has created a beautiful and heartbreaking but grossly graphic and real book that will squeeze at your heart as you look at the worst of humanity but simultaneously restore your belief that true and good friendship and love can endure even for those who feel they deserve it the least (and are sometimes the ones who need it the most).
Personally, to give this book anything less than five stars would have felt wrong. Writing is an art and art is supposed to make you feel, and if this book did one thing exceedingly well, it was making me feel.
Instagram @zitaofthebooks, August 5, 2022
It took two days of no internet, an entire row of sticky notes, and many, many breaks, but in just under three days I finished this book (after literal months of trying to get into it). I don’t think I’ve ever been this affected by a book, to where even a week later I am thinking about it.
Something about Yanagihara’s writing pulls readers in so if I can tell you one thing it’s this: don’t see this book as a challenge to see if you can get through it, or read it because everyone else did, read this book (after you’ve had a thorough read of the trigger warnings) when you’re ready and at your own pace, if you decide to. Yanagihara has created a beautiful and heartbreaking but grossly graphic and real book that will squeeze at your heart as you look at the worst of humanity but simultaneously restore your belief that true and good friendship and love can endure even for those who feel they deserve it the least (and are sometimes the ones who need it the most).
Personally, to give this book anything less than five stars would have felt wrong. Writing is an art and art is supposed to make you feel, and if this book did one thing exceedingly well, it was making me feel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail