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A review by sapphicsav
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the second time I read A Little Life, and yet it was somehow even more devastating and poignant than the first. The prose is captivating and flows effortlessly. Jude, and all of them, are desperately loveable and constantly relatable. The book is perfectly titled. It is, for better or for worse, an arresting chronicle of a whole human life. It is graphic and physically painful to read, but it is worthwhile. We love people and it matters even if it is not enough. Read this book. You will be devastated, but not disappointed.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Blood, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Confinement, Death, Rape, Physical abuse, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Chronic illness, and Drug abuse