A review by paulinskiii
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional 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

4.75

The book is incredibly written but sometimes boarders at trauma-porn. It shows everything and is sometimes frustrating to read because you love the characters and they struggle so much. All that is just because it is such a moving story and so well written. I kinda hate and love Hanya Yanagihara because she definitely did not make me cry „a little“ but multiple times. She created characters you can only care about and learn a lot from. That said it’s not for the faint hearted and I only recommend readying it when you’re emotionally stable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abandonment

Minor: Infertility, Infidelity