A review by liv_lovesbooks
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

dark emotional reflective 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

3.5

I could never in good conscience recommend this book because of the explicit, dark themes. It is beautifully written and if you are not sensitive to most types of trauma, you may love it. I cried to the point of dehydration and headache and felt simultaneously heavy and empty when I finished it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent