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A review by poofymoi
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’m not really sure how to rate this book yet so the stars remain untouched.
I am left floored but the sheer levels of human atrocities that one author could think of, not to mention the visceral gore, pain, and bodily horror that came from these pages. But they were also showered in the most dedicated, gut wrenching, purest forms of love as well. To love someone so unconditionally that you know may continue to harm you, frighten you, and lead you down life’s darkest paths. No character in this novel runs from these melancholic, sadistic truths of life, which makes it all the more painful and challenging to read. I don’t know if I come away from the book thinking “it’s all worth it in the end,” but then again, how can I not? To love someone with such intensity and fervor and dedication and devotion, to me, is one of the few purest treasures in life. No one who ever loved Jude (really loved Jude) ever left him, even when they knew he would ultimately wreck them. If only he had one ounce of that love and forgiveness for himself. But I guess that’s the point, isn’t it? Sometimes, even loving someone with such intensity cannot make up for those who have harmed them worse. Trust is a fragile, tenuous thing. May we all be lucky enough to find it and recognize it and hold it and believe it. What a fucking horror story.
I am left floored but the sheer levels of human atrocities that one author could think of, not to mention the visceral gore, pain, and bodily horror that came from these pages. But they were also showered in the most dedicated, gut wrenching, purest forms of love as well. To love someone so unconditionally that you know may continue to harm you, frighten you, and lead you down life’s darkest paths. No character in this novel runs from these melancholic, sadistic truths of life, which makes it all the more painful and challenging to read. I don’t know if I come away from the book thinking “it’s all worth it in the end,” but then again, how can I not? To love someone with such intensity and fervor and dedication and devotion, to me, is one of the few purest treasures in life. No one who ever loved Jude (really loved Jude) ever left him, even when they knew he would ultimately wreck them. If only he had one ounce of that love and forgiveness for himself. But I guess that’s the point, isn’t it? Sometimes, even loving someone with such intensity cannot make up for those who have harmed them worse. Trust is a fragile, tenuous thing. May we all be lucky enough to find it and recognize it and hold it and believe it. What a fucking horror story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment