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A review by bill369
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
OMG, WHAT DID I JUST READ!?
Okay, this book strongly influenced me. It really made me think and reconsider so many things. More than I would like for certain. But all in all, it really is an unforgettable, masterwork, something that becomes so close to your heart and then stabs you.
Characters in this book are real. They have their flaws and their strengths. I deeply care for them and hope that in some universe they are happy.
The writing is spectacular. At first, I was a little annoyed by how at one moment we were in the present and at the other, it was a flashback, however as the book goes this is eliminated. The more you read, the more you understand it and the more you like the way it's written. There are strong lines and they make me think or sob. The one that's really close to my heart and tears is:„Sometimes I think I care more about your being alive than you do.“ (page 596)
It wasn't an easy read. It broke my heart and it will be broken by this book for a long time. It will always have room in my heart. I don't regret reading it, it's my favourite stand-alone book. It was an amazing experience, however, I will not be recommending it. I believe, that only someone who really wants to and is prepared to should read this book. It isn't for everyone.
If you are considering reading or you are reading the book, then I'm telling you it gets better. The Happy Years are actually happy and they are so beautiful. It really is the best part of the book. I would recommend, that if you don't want to have the happy experience be ruined, stop after part 2 of The Happy Years. Part 3 doesn't bring nice things and all that follows is just heartbreaking.
Jude's story is truly disturbing and sad, yet it brings attention to any topic, which isn't a bad thing. The trigger warning list is very long and I will try to put everything here, however, I do recommend checking it elsewhere as well. At times it feels like Hanya Yanagihara is just torturing this poor guy. I'm truly sorry he had to go through all this bad stuff.
You can live a long happy life without reading this book. If you really don't want to read it, then don't. Save yourself the pain. There are far better books that won't cause you to cry randomly, because of the thought of the book.
Okay, this book strongly influenced me. It really made me think and reconsider so many things. More than I would like for certain. But all in all, it really is an unforgettable, masterwork, something that becomes so close to your heart and then stabs you.
Characters in this book are real. They have their flaws and their strengths. I deeply care for them and hope that in some universe they are happy.
The writing is spectacular. At first, I was a little annoyed by how at one moment we were in the present and at the other, it was a flashback, however as the book goes this is eliminated. The more you read, the more you understand it and the more you like the way it's written. There are strong lines and they make me think or sob. The one that's really close to my heart and tears is:
It wasn't an easy read. It broke my heart and it will be broken by this book for a long time. It will always have room in my heart. I don't regret reading it, it's my favourite stand-alone book. It was an amazing experience, however, I will not be recommending it. I believe, that only someone who really wants to and is prepared to should read this book. It isn't for everyone.
If you are considering reading or you are reading the book, then I'm telling you it gets better. The Happy Years are actually happy and they are so beautiful. It really is the best part of the book. I would recommend, that if you don't want to have the happy experience be ruined, stop after part 2 of The Happy Years. Part 3 doesn't bring nice things and all that follows is just heartbreaking.
Jude's story is truly disturbing and sad, yet it brings attention to any topic, which isn't a bad thing. The trigger warning list is very long and I will try to put everything here, however, I do recommend checking it elsewhere as well. At times it feels like Hanya Yanagihara is just torturing this poor guy. I'm truly sorry he had to go through all this bad stuff.
You can live a long happy life without reading this book. If you really don't want to read it, then don't. Save yourself the pain. There are far better books that won't cause you to cry randomly, because of the thought of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Drug abuse
Minor: Car accident, Child death, Death of parent, Racism, Suicide, and Transphobia