A review by bart_gibbs
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Weeping.

A deeply dark and Shakespearean tragedy. Modern Romeo and Juliet without the frills. 

Initially, every page read like poetry. What a revelation! I thought. What a joy to read! 

And then the plot developed further and descended into complete darkness.

So cleverly written. Weaving complex narratives that loop around one another. With descriptions that feed you plot points across chapters and across characters, creating this complex life history for each character. Flows effortlessly across timescales with a never-ceasing feeling of impending terror. 

I am deeply disturbed and utterly moved by this story which will likely stay with me forever. 

Huge content warning (child SA, suicide, church abuse, DV, self harm, drug use, disability abuse, physiological warfare).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Medical content, Kidnapping, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Suicide, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Racism, Drug use, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse