A review by helenecats
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I know A Little Life is everyone's favourite on here, so I will start this review with a caveat - if you loved it, you might not want to read my review, as you won't enjoy it, and I don't want to spoil something which you hold dear. The following are my very subjective thoughts about this massive book.

I didn't like it and won't be giving it a rating. Amongst what bothered me the most:
- The author shoved in all the triggering content you can possibly think of. I'll post the full list at the bottom. Most of it happens to one character, which makes it first really sad (I cried several times), but then becomes progressively frustrating, grotesque, infuriating. 
- Most of the characters are male and are either extremely evil (I'm talking rapists, pedophiles, abusers, narcissists) or extremely kind, patient, beautiful and smart. Female characters have names but we find out almost nothing about them. Weird choice for a female author.
- The plot is so thin and so cyclical and devoid of any links to historical, social, political events.
- Characters all are (or become) rich, and whilst some are described as Black or "undefined" - it has almost no bearing on their life in the grand scheme of things.
- Friendships are unhealthy, illogical, and often lead to enabling extreme behaviours. 
- Gay/bi characters are all tortured and all the abusers are male and abuse boys/men. Even the central love story is abusive. Not the queer stories I am personally looking for.

What was the point of the book? What is the underlying message? The consequences of childhood trauma? The author doesn't tell us. 

All in all, I found some passages triggering and had violent nightmares about it. 

I will not be recommending this book to anyone and will be donating my copy.

I am really grateful to @whatsallyreadnext for organising a massive readalong of this on Instagram, because the questions she asked in the group chat really helped me process my emotions, and I enjoyed picking apart the book alongside other readers.

TL;DR: This book was filled with trauma and I was not here for it.

Full list of content/trigger warnings: Ableism, Lesbomisia, Transmisia, Misgendering, Paedophilia & child sexual abuse, Rape & rape of a child, Child physical & emotional abuse, Child neglect & abandonment, Intimate partner violence & abuse, Eating disorder, Suicidal ideation, Graphic attempted suicide, Self-harm, Drug abuse, Graphic death of a child
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