pennym_ 's review for:

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

4.0

dark emotional reflective sad 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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this is a piece of grotesque artwork. even years after finishing this book, i still have not sorted out my feelings about it. does it go too far? was the authors purpose in writing it corrupt? does that intention matter? i dont know. i dont agree with the thesis, but i also think this book accomplishes what it set out to do, and it also felt brutally honest in ways i appreciate. i dont think i could ever put myself through reading it again to sort out my feelings. and yet i dont think i will ever get it out of my head. read it or dont, but above all take care of yourself.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia