emilyjulia 's review for:

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

4.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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*check trigger warnings!!!! I cannot stress this enough!!!*

The beginning of this book hit me like a train, and it does not get any easier. (although I only really realised how emotionally drained I felt after finishing)
It'd difficult to explain this novel without any spoilers, but I will say that the characters are so complex and vivid they could easily walk off the page into existence. The writing style is stunning in spite of the incredibly difficult topics the novel navigates.
I really did like the book, although I don't know if I will ever be able to read it again given it's intensity - however, it is one that I feel should be read (but only if in a mentally clear space)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Car accident, Abandonment

Minor: Ableism, Forced institutionalization