amyisland 's review for:

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

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All I can say is WOW. This novel will take you on an emotional roller coaster and if you are not in a good mental spot just skip this book until you are.. or all together. I am somewhat surprised that people are even recommending this novel so recklessly. I don't even recommend this novel. I tell people about it and I am honest about what kind of novel this is. With that being said, this is still a five star novel. The writing is beautiful. Phenomenal even... It's my new favorite. I almost don't want to call it my favorite but I have such an immense appreciation for what Hanya Yanagihara was able to do with those 814 pages. There were times I needed to put the book down and reflect on what I read. I have never read anything that has touched me more than this novel. I know that others would disagree and say that this novel was unnecessary. I don't share that sentiment. A Little Life is important. There are people that have lived lives as sad as what was written. I feel for those people. I hope that those people find peace. Sometimes we get so comfortable in our own bubbles that we forget there are people living unimaginably depressing lives in the worst way. We don't need to forget about those people and because of A Little Life I never will.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, Dysphoria

I have never read a book that so accurately depicts what it's like when you are at your lowest and darkest. If you have ever had thoughts of suicide or a history of self harm I highly discourage reading this novel. I have Bipolar 1 disorder and it was a difficult read for me. I just want to let others know that it is a-okay to skip this novel if it means avoiding triggers.