A review by zakcebulski
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

This book was absolutely not for me. I found this book manipulative. It deals with horrifically disturbing subjects and themes. 
This book, to me, did not at all justify its 800+ page length. 
Hanya Yanagihara has a mastery of prose in this book, that much is clear, and that is why this book gets a 1 from me. There are many instances of beautiful passages. However, the story is a bunch of enablers enabling very dangerous behavior under some of the worst justification I have ever seen. And, what's worse, is that these are supposed to be the likeable characters- the protagonists. 
Jesus. This thing was a fuckin' slog to me. 
If you enjoyed this book, I am happy for you. This book is clearly a passion project from Yanagihara.
If you have interest in reading this book, please read the fuckin' trigger warnings. 
Thank Christ I am done with this book.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Ableism, Addiction, Chronic illness, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Car accident, Grief, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, Self harm, and Toxic relationship