A review by erikajosephison
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

This book is not for everyone - very important to check all trigger/content warnings before reading. I know the book is controversial (and for good reason) but I really loved the writing and the character profiles that the author created in such a way they felt like real people, like friends I actually knew. I also loved how Time was conveyed throughout the novel as well - without specific dates or years but through occasions and references to those in flashbacks. It is a difficult book, with a lot of confronting topics (even beyond the expected) but worthwhile. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Trafficking

Moderate: Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Vomit, Bullying, Eating disorder, and Suicide

Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Cursing, Excrement, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, and Homophobia