Scan barcode
A review by palebea
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fucking hell.
I went into this book totally blind and I don't even know how I managed that. I was looking for a palate cleanser and somehow fell on this.
I don't recommend it. I think you need to look at the TWs and take them seriously. Don't take them as a challenge. I listened to this book and had the words echoing in my head for months. The emotional turmoil I went through reading this book - I don't think I would have appreciated this if I read this about a year ago when I was in the pits of my own struggles.
That all said. This book changed how I viewed a lot of things. It's so painfully sad and take painful literally here, I spent hours sobbing. The writing is beautiful, the way the characters develop. The world they live in. Months on and I'm still struggling to really put into words how impactful this book was. On a surface level, I can understand why people regard as it as "trauma porn" but the sad reality of the world is that it just isn't rosy.
I connected to a lot of the descriptions and experiences of really gnarly MH struggles. It's not comfortable to read about.
I will re read this book at some point but it's an undertaking I'm so not ready for.
I went into this book totally blind and I don't even know how I managed that. I was looking for a palate cleanser and somehow fell on this.
I don't recommend it. I think you need to look at the TWs and take them seriously. Don't take them as a challenge. I listened to this book and had the words echoing in my head for months. The emotional turmoil I went through reading this book - I don't think I would have appreciated this if I read this about a year ago when I was in the pits of my own struggles.
That all said. This book changed how I viewed a lot of things. It's so painfully sad and take painful literally here, I spent hours sobbing. The writing is beautiful, the way the characters develop. The world they live in. Months on and I'm still struggling to really put into words how impactful this book was. On a surface level, I can understand why people regard as it as "trauma porn" but the sad reality of the world is that it just isn't rosy.
I connected to a lot of the descriptions and experiences of really gnarly MH struggles. It's not comfortable to read about.
I will re read this book at some point but it's an undertaking I'm so not ready for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Grief, Child abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
PLEASE DO NOT GO INTO THIS LIGHTLY. THE TWS ARE GRAPHICALLY DISCUSSED AND DESCRIBED. THEY ARE MAIN THEMES TO THE BOOK. THERE IS NO HEA. THERE IS NO RESBITE TO MAKE THE HARROWING READ MORE PALATABLE. SERIOUSLY CALL YOUR THERAPIST AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE.. GET ONE.