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idesofjaim 's review for:
A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Woof. Just, woof.
I have rarely wanted to DNF a book, but this one I almost did. I somewhat knew what I was getting into when reading it, but I still truly didn’t know until I was in the thick of it. Do I think that Hanya can write some beautiful prose? Yes, and I can see how that has won so many people over. More over, I can see how people will… not connect to Jude but have empathy for him, and how the heartbreak will make them feel.
But I just cannot get over how much we are subjected to in this book that stops adding to the plot after a while. It starts feeling Iike a punishment to the reader after a certain point. There is value to reading a story that doesn’t get wrapped up in the bow of a happy ending at the end, yes. Not everything you read should be happy. For this to end the way it did fits what we were set up for. But having read the interview with Hanya and knowing how she feels about trigger warnings, talk therapy (though, having gone through it, I have my own thoughts), and how she didn’t really research but just handled Jude how he “came to her fully formed,” there are issues I take with how this story is handled. It’s a very complicated book to reflect on.
Also, I will never understand nor accept the scene of JB trying to kiss Jude because he “looked so sad.” What the EFF was that?? There was no reason for that and does not align with what we know (albeit, very little, tbh) of JB’s character. And then it’s just glossed over ultimately. For what reason?!?
This is one of those books where ultimately I think, well I read it so that means I get to have an opinion on it. One of my top opinions being: The Great Gay Novel? This one?? REALLY???
I have rarely wanted to DNF a book, but this one I almost did. I somewhat knew what I was getting into when reading it, but I still truly didn’t know until I was in the thick of it. Do I think that Hanya can write some beautiful prose? Yes, and I can see how that has won so many people over. More over, I can see how people will… not connect to Jude but have empathy for him, and how the heartbreak will make them feel.
But I just cannot get over how much we are subjected to in this book that stops adding to the plot after a while. It starts feeling Iike a punishment to the reader after a certain point. There is value to reading a story that doesn’t get wrapped up in the bow of a happy ending at the end, yes. Not everything you read should be happy. For this to end the way it did fits what we were set up for. But having read the interview with Hanya and knowing how she feels about trigger warnings, talk therapy (though, having gone through it, I have my own thoughts), and how she didn’t really research but just handled Jude how he “came to her fully formed,” there are issues I take with how this story is handled. It’s a very complicated book to reflect on.
This is one of those books where ultimately I think, well I read it so that means I get to have an opinion on it. One of my top opinions being: The Great Gay Novel? This one?? REALLY???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide