You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
hgullegrogan's Reviews (119)
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
All the stories are entertaining, but a handful are great stories. I find it strange that 3 of the short stories seemingly exist in the same universe with the same cast of characters but which are packaged as separate entities. I like the author's writing style, but I feel that the short story format isn't the best presentation of these ideas.
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like the writing style and the flow of short scenes bound together. But, the story itself was lackluster. I tend to quite enjoy EA's writing, so I'm a bit disappointed with this one.
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed the story. Annie's voice is illuminating, and the ideas woven into this story are interesting to ponder. I have mixed feelings about the ending, which is why I didn't rate it higher.
I like that Annie earned her freedom, but I feel that Doug and Cody's characters did a complete 180 without the supporting proof of their character growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I appreciate the message of the book, but I found the story a bit bland. While some of the translation is a bit confusing, I enjoyed the read and light-hearted feel.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Edit: After taking a few weeks to process this novel, my feelings have changed a bit. I feel that Jude's traumatic backstory is unnecessarily graphic and absurd. The abuse he endured at the monastery would have been sufficient in providing context to his mindset, while sparing the reader. Some other reviewers feel that this novel panders to trauma-porn, and I have to agree. The sexual abuse described in graphic detail was troubling for me, and had a massive, negative impact on my mental health for days after reading this book. And, again, I don't feel that it was necessary. I do still feel that this book has had a significant impact on how I view my interpersonal relationships; and the voice of the novel shines in this respect. I appreciate how Yanagihara writes an unconventional relationship Jude and Willem's platonic-leaning, non-sexual relationship which serves as realistic representation of alternative relationship dynamics.
Unfortunately, due to the graphic nature of this novel, I feel that many will lose out on the interesting analysis of interpersonal relationships. But, ultimately, I feel that a potential reader should err on the side of caution with this book.
Original Review:
A Little Life is both genius--in the dimensionality of its characters and universe --and absolutely heartbreaking. This story emotionally destroyed me, but I believe that it will be one of the most impactful pieces I will ever read.
I'd first like to say that this book is extremely challenging to read due to the shocking, graphic content it contains. I would not recommend this story to anyone sensitive to graphic discussions of abuse, sexual violence, self mutilation, and suicide.
Despite the difficult content, Yanagihara has created a world and characters that are so authentic and believable that I feel that I have both known the characters and lived their lives--much like recalling my own memories.
Each of the primary 5 characters are governed by the false truths they learned as children. Jude's story is extreme, but the delineated parts of his life accentuate this idea.
A Little Life grants the reader both hope and desolation; that they have the power to instill goodness and happiness in others
'to an extent'. As much as we see the best in our loved ones, we cannot force them to see and believe it. We have the power to do our best for others, but it is ultimately their choice how they live.
The despair I felt when I realized the meaning behind this book's title broke my heart. I feel as if I have mourned myself through Jude (though our lives couldn't be more dissimilar). Jude's sense of self is mauled and disfigured by his past--a past that he knows to be horrendous--yet he cannot untangle himself from it.
Although Jude eventually dies by suicide, his time with Willem during "the happy years" instills the importance of deep connection that we build with others. Willem is both a secondary character and the primary protagonist with how he inspires kindness and compassion.
Despite the initially slow pace, Yanagihara's writing is so poetic and beautiful that I was immediately transfixed by the story. If you can handle the graphic content, you will feel joy, hope, grief, inspiration, heart break, pride, contentment, and sorrow.
You will feel as if you've lived a whole life within your own and grieved the loss of those you've never known. You will smile, laugh, and cry. You will likely see yourself or someone you know within these pages, and you will wonder what you can do better for those you love.
Unfortunately, due to the graphic nature of this novel, I feel that many will lose out on the interesting analysis of interpersonal relationships. But, ultimately, I feel that a potential reader should err on the side of caution with this book.
Original Review:
A Little Life is both genius--in the dimensionality of its characters and universe --and absolutely heartbreaking. This story emotionally destroyed me, but I believe that it will be one of the most impactful pieces I will ever read.
I'd first like to say that this book is extremely challenging to read due to the shocking, graphic content it contains. I would not recommend this story to anyone sensitive to graphic discussions of abuse, sexual violence, self mutilation, and suicide.
Despite the difficult content, Yanagihara has created a world and characters that are so authentic and believable that I feel that I have both known the characters and lived their lives--much like recalling my own memories.
Each of the primary 5 characters are governed by the false truths they learned as children. Jude's story is extreme, but the delineated parts of his life accentuate this idea.
A Little Life grants the reader both hope and desolation; that they have the power to instill goodness and happiness in others
'to an extent'. As much as we see the best in our loved ones, we cannot force them to see and believe it. We have the power to do our best for others, but it is ultimately their choice how they live.
The despair I felt when I realized the meaning behind this book's title broke my heart. I feel as if I have mourned myself through Jude (though our lives couldn't be more dissimilar). Jude's sense of self is mauled and disfigured by his past--a past that he knows to be horrendous--yet he cannot untangle himself from it.
Although Jude eventually dies by suicide, his time with Willem during "the happy years" instills the importance of deep connection that we build with others. Willem is both a secondary character and the primary protagonist with how he inspires kindness and compassion.
Despite the initially slow pace, Yanagihara's writing is so poetic and beautiful that I was immediately transfixed by the story. If you can handle the graphic content, you will feel joy, hope, grief, inspiration, heart break, pride, contentment, and sorrow.
You will feel as if you've lived a whole life within your own and grieved the loss of those you've never known. You will smile, laugh, and cry. You will likely see yourself or someone you know within these pages, and you will wonder what you can do better for those you love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Eating disorder, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Vomit, Death of parent
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm sure the point of this book is supposed to be more than, "work is strange and meaningless," but that's the gist of what I got from it. The main characters are uninteresting and 1 dimensional. The plot is boring. The most interesting stylistic choice was naming the main trio very similarly and not distinguishing their narratives; this made the surrealism of their workplace more concrete. Overall, this story gives a glimpse into the boring lives of people who work meaningless jobs.
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love this book. Emily Austin continues to write neueodivergent, queer characters authentically. I see myself in some of Enid's struggles. I think what's particularly special about this story is seeing Enid's self image evolve and transform through the various relationships in her life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual violence
challenging
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this short story in one sitting. To be honest, I loved it until the end. This story feels incomplete. I would have loved to view the world through Amiko's eyes for much longer.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness
I don't get why so many people like this book. I found it very boring and the story uninteresting. It was unclear whether some characters were actually "real" but in an annoying way. The world building is insufficient and the story's driving force is unclear.
