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A review by shellsob
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I would like to start this off by saying what the f**k, Hanya Yanagihara?!?! The writing of this book is done wonderfully, it paints images in the readers head…. However, the images it paints ?!?! FOUL!! The book is HEAVY.
The entire book is a trigger warning for… possibly everything. Not sure what the best method of reading this book is, quickly so it’s done faster? Slowly so you’re not horribly emotionally wrecked everyday? Or… hear me out… not reading it at all. I read this book as a challenge to myself (LOL) because everyone was saying “it’s so good”, “you need a therapist to read this”, “whole thing is a trigger warning”…. They weren’t lying (besides the “it’s so good” part).
I will give it to Hanya Yanagihara, she is phenomenal writer. I just felt like the book had WAY too much trauma happening for one person. Everytime I thought to myself “surely, this is it”…. IT WASN’T. Maybe I wasn’t the audience for this book (surely, I wasn’t the audience for this book). Would I recommend it? Maybe BUT not without fully warning the person and making sure they are in an emotionally stable position in their life.
It’s been nearly a week since I finished the book and I still think about it. I fear that I won’t be the same after having read this. Is there an emotional support group for A Little Life readers?
I’m not even sure how to rate this book…. The writing, great! The words written, I’m at a standstill.
Do what you will with me review, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The entire book is a trigger warning for… possibly everything. Not sure what the best method of reading this book is, quickly so it’s done faster? Slowly so you’re not horribly emotionally wrecked everyday? Or… hear me out… not reading it at all. I read this book as a challenge to myself (LOL) because everyone was saying “it’s so good”, “you need a therapist to read this”, “whole thing is a trigger warning”…. They weren’t lying (besides the “it’s so good” part).
I will give it to Hanya Yanagihara, she is phenomenal writer. I just felt like the book had WAY too much trauma happening for one person. Everytime I thought to myself “surely, this is it”…. IT WASN’T. Maybe I wasn’t the audience for this book (surely, I wasn’t the audience for this book). Would I recommend it? Maybe BUT not without fully warning the person and making sure they are in an emotionally stable position in their life.
It’s been nearly a week since I finished the book and I still think about it. I fear that I won’t be the same after having read this. Is there an emotional support group for A Little Life readers?
I’m not even sure how to rate this book…. The writing, great! The words written, I’m at a standstill.
Do what you will with me review, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail