A review by raitherabbit
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional sad 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

4.0

I started this book with a healthy mental state and ended it with a relapse of my depression. I love the characters but absolutely hate what happens to them, and I loathe the author for their intention with the story. Overall, I’m not asking for a happily ever after, I wanted justification (though I guess that was her point). The writing is amazing and I enjoyed it, but the scenes at times were just too much— which was the point exactly. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Dysphoria, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Mental illness, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Body horror, Body shaming, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Child abuse, Rape, Chronic illness, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Violence