A review by macyevo
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

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

3.5

This is the longest most depressing story I have ever read. The chapters are like 100 pages long. It’s very traumatic and brings up many tough subjects. The first 100 pages were rough… so many different character stories to get through… and honestly it felt unnecessary for me. I feel like the book could have had the same impact but with half the pages. I couldn’t stop reading it though. Jude’s life was miserable… but at times, happy. He struggled his whole life with his traumatic childhood always in the rear view mirror. You ache for him. You want him to grow past the bad … but this story captures all of the sad and sorrow and death you don’t want for a character. I’m happy to be finished with this book though, finally. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings