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A review by charlottereadsthings
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I saw someone once give a review of this book by saying "i think everyone on earth should read this but I want no one to go through what I did reading it." And honestly, I don't think there could be a better review of it.
Simply put, A Little Life is a masterpiece and one of the quickest five stars I knew I was going to give a book.
It follows a group of friends throughout decades but really ir's more about the life of one in particular in the group: Jude. The book goes through periods of his life, unearthing difficulties and traumas that had me sobbing hysterically at points. I desperately turned pages, wanting more, then being stabbed in the chest when I achieved that.
For a book so big and so vast, with the subject matters it does, it was so incredibly easy to read. The writing style never felt "too much" and I think what truly makes this book is the fact that it's just human. It felt like reading about real people with real, relatable problems. While I deseperately hoped for certain outcomes, I could understand the perspective of the characters wholeheartedly; which the experience all the more bittersweet.
I will think about this book and carry it with me forever.
Simply put, A Little Life is a masterpiece and one of the quickest five stars I knew I was going to give a book.
It follows a group of friends throughout decades but really ir's more about the life of one in particular in the group: Jude. The book goes through periods of his life, unearthing difficulties and traumas that had me sobbing hysterically at points. I desperately turned pages, wanting more, then being stabbed in the chest when I achieved that.
For a book so big and so vast, with the subject matters it does, it was so incredibly easy to read. The writing style never felt "too much" and I think what truly makes this book is the fact that it's just human. It felt like reading about real people with real, relatable problems. While I deseperately hoped for certain outcomes, I could understand the perspective of the characters wholeheartedly; which the experience all the more bittersweet.
I will think about this book and carry it with me forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Suicide