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A review by singtothemoon
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While the book has some great passages and beautiful moments portrayed in its pages, it honestly feels a little cartoonish in its representation of the life of it's main character at times. When things go great everything is absolutely unbelievably perfect. All the main characters grow incredibly successful and wealthy, as if failure was only psychological. And when things go wrong they go so incredibly wrong.
Would have liked a bit more focus on JB, focusing on flaws not informed from trauma would have been an interesting contrast.
Heart wrenching at times, the depiction of self hatred, impostor syndrome, self harm and suicidal thoughts is amazingly thoughtful and well done. It's depictions of violence hard to read and impactful.
Would have liked a bit more focus on JB, focusing on flaws not informed from trauma would have been an interesting contrast.
Heart wrenching at times, the depiction of self hatred, impostor syndrome, self harm and suicidal thoughts is amazingly thoughtful and well done. It's depictions of violence hard to read and impactful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail