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aveelanee's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
While the narrative can be emotionally overwhelming, it’s also incredibly rewarding. Just be prepared to be wrecked emotionally- this book does not shy away from dark themes, and some passages may be difficult to read. I skipped a few sections and had to go back and read it later simply because I couldn’t handle the intensity of it. Would recommend to look up the trigger warnings before you read the book.
Despite everything, I wholeheartedly recommend "A Little Life." It’s a heartbreaking yet beautiful read that stays with you, earning a solid 4.5 stars. If you appreciate deep character studies and rich, emotional narratives, this book is a must-read.
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Self harm
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Death
komiification's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer
evalolitah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
gabbygrobler's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
veritybel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can’t deny that this book of beautifully written, I had to highlight so many sections of the book I wanted to re read and remember.
The first half of the book I really enjoyed, I enjoyed learning about the characters and how they all came together and what they went through. Willam was a favourite for me, and his rocky relationship with Jude was another favourite part.
But the second half of the book, when you learn about Jude’s past was too much for me. I saw someone describe it as “trauma porn,” and I think that’s a good description. So many things happen to Jude over and over again it gets so unrealistic and looses its impact. I would be VERY wary reading this book if you struggle with trauma or mental illness, it’s very detailed and the author does not dull down descriptions.
The end of the book was heartbreaking, I was crying but the last chapter was so beautifully written.
I will never read this book again and I try and not think about it…
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent
tessakooijmans's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
shinitan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was written so beautifully and I often found myself feeling the ways the characters did due to the direction of the writing.
Since having read the novel, I’ve also read reviews - both good and bad and I can understand both. While I personally did not view the book as depression porn, I can understand that there are readers out there whose experiences that differ from mine may have viewed it as so since (as I now know) that this is a popular book tok recommendation. There were some parts in the novel which I did think it was a little excessive- such as the story about Caleb, and some parts dragged a lot more than I would have liked, hence my 4.5 star rating.
I don’t think this is the right book for anyone that doesn’t want to read anything sad or remind them of real life, and I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone that has triggers. But if you enjoy darker themes and slice of life genre, chances are you will enjoy this book.
I really enjoyed this book. Coming into it without know anything, I was expecting some sort of profound life lesson which will move me and inspire my life. I was touched by this novel, but not in the way I had expected to be and there are no words for me to express how I feel about it. I’m probably of a rare (or maybe not) crowd where I don’t feel like this book was depressing or made me depressed (even though I did cry a lot ), but rather, it gave me a deep appreciation and sense of gratitude, for life itself and for this book making its way into my life.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
idrkthem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ainda que tenha se arrastado em algumas partes, por vezes pouco interessantes, o livro é espetacular em geral. senti que JB e Malcolm ficaram muito em segundo plano, quando mereciam ter mais destaque. JB não merecia ter sido representado somente como um babaca que só liga para si mesmo, a história dele com o vício deveria ter sido trabalhada mais, e a confusão de Malcolm sobre a sua sexualidade não levou à nada; casou com uma mulher, mencionada vez ou outra, e serviu somente como personagem de apoio até o momento em que morreu. também tenho minhas ressalvas com o relacionamento de Jude e Willem, pois sinto que foi – e odeio ter que dizer isso – mal-trabalhado. uma hora Willem sentiu atração por ele, sem que soubéssemos que ele também sentia atração por homens, e começaram a namorar, pularam direto para a parte que eles já estavam juntos, para só depois contarem como foi o pedido de fato. muitas das vezes, essa narrativa não-linear era bem interessante, mas aqui senti que foi muito mal-colocada.
o protagonista da história é de fato o Jude, não todos os quatro como inicialmente pensei, o que quebrou minha expectativa, claro, pois queria saber mais de Malcolm, JB e Willem, que pareciam mais estar subjugados na história em detrimento de Jude ter mais momentos. A construção de Jude foi muito intensa de acompanhar, com seus altos e baixos, picos e vales, como uma montanha-russa. os abusos, a autoinfligência, as dores crônicas, e até o luto, tudo isso fez dele um personagem extremamente interessante de acompanhar, e não era difícil torcer por ele; para que enfim melhorasse.
nutro um carinho especial pelo Harold e Julia, que viveram mais que diversos personagens; pelo Andy, que sempre ajudou, e dava sermões quando necessário, e Ana, que causou um impacto, por mais curta que tenha sido sua aparição na história.
o relacionamento de Jude e Willem fora bem-construído depois de um tempo.
o final me destruiu de diversas formas – Jude se recusando a comer, passando fome a fim de se reencontrar com Willem e, alguns anos depois, se reencontrando com ele em sua morte, por mais forte que fosse minha torcida por ele.
quanto mais penso na história, mais percebo que o que não gostei é mínimo quando comparado ao todo. uma leitura forte, e portanto, impactante, independente das minhas ressalvas.
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
kari_f's review against another edition
4.5
Check the trigger warnings because this book has all of them. Okay, may not ALL of them, but most of them.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
kayarosee's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death and Car accident