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A review by amyw_97
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
4.0
This book was very, very emotional. The author truly spent their time writing and dragging out the details of the four characters who are best friends- Jude, JB, Malcolm, and Willem. Though after a while, readers find out that the novel is more about Jude, and the struggle to overcome the extreme abuse he endured as a child. This book made me cry, that one part with Ana and Jude when he was younger, and her trying getting him to speak or explain was the saddest part for me. I could not get over that-- even as I think of it now, it brings me to tears. There are times when the novel allows you to see unsavoury part of characters, even Jude, who is seen as selfish and stubborn at times but still begging for help. JB's horrid behavior and humour, and still the four are friends, on and off. I have to say, I really enjoyed the novel but the reason I give it 4 stars has to be because of the way it dragged on-- I really got tired of the characterization, especially near the end.
The novel itself made me question whether people would care for someone so much in real life. The way Harold and Julia care for Jude, right until the end, is heartwarming and sad all at the same time. And then there is Andy, a doctor who Jude can confide in and Willem, Jude's best friend. They care for him so much. Then there are the numerous friends they have who keep an eye out for Jude. I feel like in real life, people don't have that kind of empathy anymore. If someone wanted to die so bad as Jude had, I feel like the people in this world would've let him die.
And so this novel is really one I recommend- it's depressing, dark, but with a little bit of optimism at times- it's an emotional rollercoaster, at a slower speed. Enjoy it.
The novel itself made me question whether people would care for someone so much in real life. The way Harold and Julia care for Jude, right until the end, is heartwarming and sad all at the same time. And then there is Andy, a doctor who Jude can confide in and Willem, Jude's best friend. They care for him so much. Then there are the numerous friends they have who keep an eye out for Jude. I feel like in real life, people don't have that kind of empathy anymore. If someone wanted to die so bad as Jude had, I feel like the people in this world would've let him die.
And so this novel is really one I recommend- it's depressing, dark, but with a little bit of optimism at times- it's an emotional rollercoaster, at a slower speed. Enjoy it.