A review by mtmarriott
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Not quite as emotionally impactful as A Little Life but still a deeply interesting take on colonialism, science and cancel culture (before cancel culture was really a pop culture term), it reminded me of a hybrid of TÁR and The Lost City of Z. Usually these stories revolve around media personalities or artists so having the main character be not only a scientist but one who has discovered a truly Earth-shattering thing as the secret to immortality is really fascinating. It also gives Norton’s rise and fall a semi-Faustian quality, turning his greatest achievement into something that imprisons him literally and spiritually. Hanya Yanagihara writes first person narratives quite unlike anyone else I’ve read, she’s about to convey the most disturbed and chilling mindsets with such simplicity and ease that you perfectly understand her character’s beliefs even if they are deeply warped. I’d recommend The Genius and The Boys (a documentary about Daniel Carleton Gadjusek who inspired the Norton Perina character) to anyone who has read this or wants to read it.
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