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theonagainoffagainreader 's review for:
A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book definitely requires a trigger warning: if you aren't in the best mental/ emotional state, please DO NOT read this book.
WOW.... Just wow.
It is rare for a book to break me, build me back up again and then break me yet again -- over and over. Jesus Christ.
I found myself so immersed in the lives of the characters, as if I was part of their little group. It was as if I was growing up with them as welldespite the story not being in chronological order . Their lives were inspiring, motivational, heartbreaking, soul crushing. I feel so empty and yet so full. It was as if I was a witness to their lives, no matter how short or long it may have been. It's so realistic, well-researched and it just... Captures you, encapsulates you and draws you in and holds you there (it being both the story and its characters). I found myself contemplating my own life, as the characters did. I was laughing with them, crying with them (and goddamn did I cry -- happy tears and sad, heart breaking, can-barely-breathe tears).
I ask myself: what did I learn from this book? And I just can't give one definitive answer, as there is so much and would depend from which character. And also because I am still quite stunned by it (I just finished reading the book a few minutes ago). I am just glad that it is over and yet also sad that it is... That their lives, or should I say my witnessing of their lives, end here.
TLDR: a HUGE caveat. This isn't an uplifting story, by any means. This isn't a fairytale. There's no happy ending. It's messy, it's fucked up, it's tragic... But it's LIFE. Sometimes, life is like that. And that's what makes this book beautiful. That's what makes life beautiful.
WOW.... Just wow.
It is rare for a book to break me, build me back up again and then break me yet again -- over and over. Jesus Christ.
I found myself so immersed in the lives of the characters, as if I was part of their little group. It was as if I was growing up with them as well
I ask myself: what did I learn from this book? And I just can't give one definitive answer, as there is so much and would depend from which character. And also because I am still quite stunned by it (I just finished reading the book a few minutes ago). I am just glad that it is over and yet also sad that it is... That their lives, or should I say my witnessing of their lives, end here.
TLDR: a HUGE caveat. This isn't an uplifting story, by any means. This isn't a fairytale. There's no happy ending. It's messy, it's fucked up, it's tragic... But it's LIFE. Sometimes, life is like that. And that's what makes this book beautiful. That's what makes life beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury