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luisa_ssn 's review for:
A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
I'm conflicted about this book. It is masterfully written and I fell in love with the characters. In fact, I don't think I will be able to stop thinking about them any time soon.
The book kept me hooked almost to the end, but after 600 pages or so I really just wanted it to end, because I couldn't take it anymore. Yes, I read all the warnings about how heartbreaking this book is, but no warning can prepare you for actually reading it. While I am kind of drawn to dark, heartbreaking stories, this one was admittedly a bit too much for me because it just didn't get better. Any time there was a bit of happiness, it just got taken away again.
Nevertheless, I am still glad I read this book, because of how much I love these characters and because it is an incredible study in love, relatonships, depression, and the longlasting effects of both major trauma and undconditional love.
Additionally, I have never read such a raw and honest description of someone battling trauma and major mental health issues and as someone who reads and researches a lot about this topic, I appreciated this honesty.
The book kept me hooked almost to the end, but after 600 pages or so I really just wanted it to end, because I couldn't take it anymore. Yes, I read all the warnings about how heartbreaking this book is, but no warning can prepare you for actually reading it. While I am kind of drawn to dark, heartbreaking stories, this one was admittedly a bit too much for me because it just didn't get better. Any time there was a bit of happiness, it just got taken away again.
Nevertheless, I am still glad I read this book, because of how much I love these characters and because it is an incredible study in love, relatonships, depression, and the longlasting effects of both major trauma and undconditional love.
Additionally, I have never read such a raw and honest description of someone battling trauma and major mental health issues and as someone who reads and researches a lot about this topic, I appreciated this honesty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use