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foxgame'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
I was not prepared for how confronting this book would be. There was every type of abuse covered in more than enough detail - physical, verbal, drug, sexual, self harm (animal if you’re vegan).
But the writing draws you in and outlines the story through a third person narrative, either Willem or Jude but also from Harold as a dialogue perspective. This was beautifully written and it fractured, broke and warmed my heart in its rollercoaster journey. I do not think I am the same person I was before I read this book.
But it is not an easy read, especially being the mother of primary school aged boys. Especially as knowing that parts of this fiction is some people’s reality.
I am glad I read this book. But I don’t think I could read it again knowing what happens.
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
maluulam'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
Cinco minutos
É surpreendente a forma como é possível se conectar com os personagens e sentir com eles cada experiência. Além de mudar sua perspectiva dependendo de quem está narrando a história.
Esse livro com certeza vai deixar Jude e Willem, com sua linda e emocionante história, por muuuuito tempo na minha memória.
Uma Vida Pequena mostra os mínimos detalhes e, uma das minhas coisas preferidas no livro, os momentos do dia a dia de uma amizade maravilhosa. Que faz com que mesmo apenas "cinco muitos" façam toda a diferença.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, 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, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
aadilh'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
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
neppis'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
amirxhs13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, despite how absolutely devastating it was.
People often say that the pain Jude went through was “too much” and while I agree it was hard to read through and cope with, I think that declaring someone’s trauma as “too much” is dismissive of real life victims. There are people out there with stories like Jude, or similar to his, who live with those thoughts, feelings and memories daily. By saying what has happened to them too much, and unbelievable, it takes away from what they’ve gone through, and reinforces the idea that they are “too much” and the world would be better off without them. It is this thinking, by Jude, that perpetuates his issues.
The writing was incredibly beautiful, and I do not understand those who said it was slow or boring. It allowed true and deep insight into the minds of all the characters, and they definitely felt real, which makes it all the more devastating. The descriptions of the setting were perfect and incredibly immersive, and I sped through the novel, despite its enormous length.
While this book does not have a clear message or moral, and the authors purpose was simply to write someone who was so incredible broken there was no coming back from it or “fixing” them, I still find a point. This book has ultimately made me a better person. Throughout the novel Jude struggles, and yet, he puts up a brave front consistently in his work life, and as much as he can in his personal life. This book has demonstrated that you truly do not know what ANYONE has gone through, and that everyone should be initially met with kindness, love, and, basic respect. While I, and hopefully anyone reading this, already knew that, I truly feel it in a much deeper sense now.
Nonetheless, I do not think I would recommend this book. As much as I love it, the contents were so incredibly triggering that I cannot, in any good conscience, tell someone to read it without extensive prior knowledge. I went into the book knowing that both Jude and Willem would die. I was aware of the trigger warnings, and knew that I would be fine. This is not the same for everyone.
Finally, I think the ending was perfect and almost ideal. We all knew there was no recovery for Jude, simply existence with Willem. His dependence on Willem, while accepted by Willem, was extreme. There was no chance of Jude leading a happy life without him, and I am pleased with the ending. The only alternative would them both be living happily ever after, and I think that fairytale ending would have been unrealistic and diminishing.
Overall, it was absolutely devastating, and amazing. 5/5.
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Minor: Cancer, Child death, and Car accident
isabelboswinkel'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
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
iluvshelby'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, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
averyirelyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
paddles1704's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
What hope does that offer the sufferer?
What meaning does that offer those who love people suffering?
Full review here: https://christianpears.wordpress.com/2024/09/15/on-writing-pain-a-little-life-review/
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use
pikkumarja's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Mutta onhan tämä vähän liikaa. Yksityiskohtaiset kuvaukset itsetuhoisuudesta, tuhon graafisuus ja ylipäätään queerihmisten kärsimys oli turhan mittavaa. Yksittäisenä kirjana queerkärsimys vielä menisi, mutta laajempana ilmiönä (ja koska tämäkin kirja on osa laajempaa kirjallisuuden kokonaisuutta ja kulttuuria) queerit saavat kärsiä liikaa. Ei tämä silti ole ansainnut syytöksiä traumapornosta tai epäuskottavalla trauman määrällä. Maailma ei ole reilu ja jotkut ihmiset joutuvat kärsimään enemmän kuin on inhimillisesti mahdollista. Kehotan todella lukemaan sisältövaroitukset ajan kanssa, jos et kestä joitain teemoja.
Yanagihara onnistuu luomaan todella painavan tunnelman kerronnallaan. Kirja jää varmasti elämään mielen perukoille pitkäksi aikaa monestakin syystä.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail