A review by iamcarlib
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Not a fan of her writing although I really liked the story. However so many things that were irrelevant to character building or plot were discussed on and on in detail, and then crucial character development was built up and dropped, or neglected entirely. The book ends up being so long with frivolous details and that you have a hard time remembering what's even happened and what's important. And the "mystery" is not so much suspenseful as it is infuriating. Especially when certain elements are never revealed at all after hours of hyping them up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Chronic illness, Incest, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Child death, Medical trauma, Eating disorder, and Medical content