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A review by jthuctran
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
It has been really difficult for me to write a review, especially since after finishing the book, my mind couldn't stop going between, "This book is the best thing I've ever read and it has changed my life forever," and, "This book is the devil's spawn, I hate it and I hate every decision that led me to reading it."
Now my mind is clearer, and I finally can make a cohesive review.
Firstly, I would like to say that this is is not a gay book, or a book about friendship, or a book about love. It is 720 pages of pure trauma and hurt, featuring some fleeting moments of happiness. Yanagihara has said in an interview that she wanted everything to be slightly over the top, and it is definitely shown in the vivid recalls of a certain character's dark past. This story will rip you to pieces and leave you stuck trying to figure out how to put yourself together again.
Amongst all of the horrific and graphic detail of this novel, I have still somehow managed to fall in love with the characters, especially Jude. I know for a fact he is going to be on my mind for a while.
It is such a long book but you'll find yourself getting lost within the pages. It's fascinating how the book achieves that.
This is one of the best books I've ever read, but something that I would never want to read again. It made me feel hurt and sadness in ways I couldn't comprehend. I never want to experience that type of pain again. It's true when people say they started this book as one person and finished it as another. Whether that's positive or negative, I'm not too sure.
I don't know if I would recommend this to anyone, but if you are thinking about reading it, please do your research. Read the trigger warning list (although please be aware that no amount of trigger warnings could ever prepare you for the borderline torture of this book), and maybe a no-spoiler plot summary. Please read other people's reviews. Just know that this book will make you extremely sad, and it will cling onto your mind forever. This book is not for everyone.
Now my mind is clearer, and I finally can make a cohesive review.
Firstly, I would like to say that this is is not a gay book, or a book about friendship, or a book about love. It is 720 pages of pure trauma and hurt, featuring some fleeting moments of happiness. Yanagihara has said in an interview that she wanted everything to be slightly over the top, and it is definitely shown in the vivid recalls of a certain character's dark past. This story will rip you to pieces and leave you stuck trying to figure out how to put yourself together again.
Amongst all of the horrific and graphic detail of this novel, I have still somehow managed to fall in love with the characters, especially Jude. I know for a fact he is going to be on my mind for a while.
It is such a long book but you'll find yourself getting lost within the pages. It's fascinating how the book achieves that.
This is one of the best books I've ever read, but something that I would never want to read again. It made me feel hurt and sadness in ways I couldn't comprehend. I never want to experience that type of pain again. It's true when people say they started this book as one person and finished it as another. Whether that's positive or negative, I'm not too sure.
I don't know if I would recommend this to anyone, but if you are thinking about reading it, please do your research. Read the trigger warning list (although please be aware that no amount of trigger warnings could ever prepare you for the borderline torture of this book), and maybe a no-spoiler plot summary. Please read other people's reviews. Just know that this book will make you extremely sad, and it will cling onto your mind forever. This book is not for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident