skyrose212 's review for:

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

5.0

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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

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Well written, poignant, heartbreaking, illuminating, and insightful. 
The author expertly depicts the power of chosen family. 
The book is centered around the blessing and miracle that is friendship. 

The writing is grounded and has the unique ability to truly capture trauma, pain, and anguish. This was a pain, I sadly know all too well but nevertheless, took my breath away. I was awestruck and disoriented by the way she was able to capture the rawness of mental illness and the human experience. Brilliant. 

It reminded me why I fell in love with the reading I’m the first place - to feel less alone.

I am a complex trauma survivor and let me tell you-
YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE SPACE TO READ THIS SAFELY.
ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION.


 READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS MY LOVES.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Death of parent, Dysphoria