A review by laurenramsden99
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara

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

3.75

This book reminded me a lot of Lolita; because of what the preface (written by the fictional editor of the book) tells you about the fictional author, Norton Perina, you spend the whole book on the edge, waiting for a confession of sorts. I also spent a lot of the book not trusting what he was telling me, not falling for any attempts to believe what he may say that makes him look like anything other than a monster. Unlike what the editor believes, Perina is not a 'good person'. It was a fascinating book, however, and I did find myself drawn into the world Yanigahara creates. Her writing is probably the main reason to read this book - she is excellent and eloquent. The subject matter became difficult toward the end, but throughout it was implied delicately and cleverly. I think it was a little slow and that I disliked the main character so much that I felt sick throughout most of the novel. As a result I would not read it again and it wasn't THAT pleasant a reading experience, but I do think it is an amazing novel. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings