A review by loreadson
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

4.0

69/150 A Little Life

Four classmates from a small college head to New York City to make their way in the world;  Willem an actor, JB an artist, Malcom an architect and Jude a lawyer. As they age and their friendships deepen they discover that Jude is battling some very deep scars from his childhood. *insert ALL the trigger warnings here*  He is so heartbreakingly broken by trauma that despite all the attempts of those who love him he just struggles to shake it. 

This book is absolutely devastating. All that Jude encounters will rip out your heart and break it in a million pieces.  It made me angry thinking about how many people have endured abuse by those in power and then so sad thinking about the guilt and shame they are carrying with them.  I feel that it was a little far fetched at times to think that ALL of these things happened upon Jude in his little life and I really found myself wishing for a little something to brighten his life. It really isn’t a feel good book and will leave you a little broken, but if you are willing to accept this, is was a beautifully written story - if that makes sense. I tried to make sure to focus on the love that his friends and family gave him unconditionally, in order to cope with this one, I just wish it had been enough to undo all the pain. 

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