It has been really difficult for me to write a review, especially since after finishing the book, my mind couldn't stop going between, "This book is the best thing I've ever read and it has changed my life forever," and, "This book is the devil's spawn, I hate it and I hate every decision that led me to reading it."

Now my mind is clearer, and I finally can make a cohesive review.
Firstly, I would like to say that this is is not a gay book, or a book about friendship, or a book about love. It is 720 pages of pure trauma and hurt, featuring some fleeting moments of happiness. Yanagihara has said in an interview that she wanted everything to be slightly over the top, and it is definitely shown in the vivid recalls of a certain character's dark past. This story will rip you to pieces and leave you stuck trying to figure out how to put yourself together again.

Amongst all of the horrific and graphic detail of this novel, I have still somehow managed to fall in love with the characters, especially Jude. I know for a fact he is going to be on my mind for a while.

It is such a long book but you'll find yourself getting lost within the pages. It's fascinating how the book achieves that.

This is one of the best books I've ever read, but something that I would never want to read again. It made me feel hurt and sadness in ways I couldn't comprehend. I never want to experience that type of pain again. It's true when people say they started this book as one person and finished it as another. Whether that's positive or negative, I'm not too sure.

I don't know if I would recommend this to anyone, but if you are thinking about reading it, please do your research. Read the trigger warning list (although please be aware that no amount of trigger warnings could ever prepare you for the borderline torture of this book), and maybe a no-spoiler plot summary. Please read other people's reviews. Just know that this book will make you extremely sad, and it will cling onto your mind forever. This book is not for everyone.

Content Warnings

The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

it wasn't captivating and as interesting as his other works

The Astonishing Colour of After by Emily X.R. Pan

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

it was just too slow and too boring

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

really nice exploration of the female experience and the pressures we face in society. made me think a lot about societal issues and it was very informative.

Content Warnings

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

it was okay but not as good as i was expecting it to be. definitely a classic and i can see why it is. i do have some issues with this book and orwell but overall it was okay. i did enjoy it but i have very mixed feelings.

Content Warnings

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

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challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

3.0

good book but it fell short especially after reading they both die at the end. i do enjoy griffin's perspective considering his character and situation, but his overall inner voice wasn't as amazing in my opinion.

did like the kind of plot twist at the end, wish we saw a bit more of wade.

the story did move a bit slow and it felt like it took me longer to read than it did - i got kinda sick of it at the beginning and wanted to put it down. it still was a very moving piece.

Content Warnings

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jthuctran's reviews 17 reviews

jthuctran's reviews
17 reviews