A review by erysewhite
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

This was such an emotional rollercoaster of a book. I picked up and put down this book multiple times. At some points, it felt as if the sadness and points of trauma felt entirely too excessive and overwhelming but sadly I’m realizing that is the whole point. Because all of these actions and places of trauma are real and happening all around us and can very well happen in order of which this books describes. I felt sad and hopeless and really struggled with my own thoughts of privilege, anticipation of grief. It’s a beautifully written book and REALLY made me feel things and will plague me for months. I know want to keep a collection of files and voice memos of the people I love. It’s a thought that both comforts and terrifies me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Incest, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Abandonment, Body shaming, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Torture