A review by hln
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging emotional sad fast-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

4.25

This is hard to review. I don’t think I’ve ever cried this much while reading a book. It is a depiction of unimaginable trauma, and pain, and an emotionally challenging read. On the other hand, it is also full of love, friendship, and success. It shows the unfiltered lives of four young men in New York, who are trying to find their place in the world and who are striving for success, and love. As they navigate through life, they experience different types of grief. 

The character that holds the group together, Jude St. Francis, has an unfathomably tragic past that he keeps mostly to himself but that is visible to other’s because of his - emotional and physical - scars. The book tells the story of his life through the happenings of the present-time mixed with events that happened in his childhood. It follows him and his friends as they get older and live through various stages of life.

I would strongly suggest reading the content warnings before reading this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Self harm, and Suicide

Moderate: Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, Ableism, Drug abuse, Body shaming, Religious bigotry, Eating disorder, Rape, and Vomit

I strongly recommend reading the content warnings before reading this, and to read this book with caution. It is a book full of trauma and pain.