A review by punkrockbenji
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Really, really well written, but devastatingly sad. Most characters remain mostly unchanged throughout the story, especially being over a 30 or more year time span. It felt like it was traumatic just for the sake of being traumatic, without any resolution or reprieve. Ending was totally expected and very much unwelcome. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail