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A review by rea_195
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.75
REVIEW WITH SPOILERS
There is a lot to say about this book, so I'll start with the things that i didn't like and end with the things that I did.
Didn't:
1) First thing that I disliked was how much trauma Jude has gone throught and how it ruined the realism of the book. When Jude escaped the home and we find out everything that has happened to him, it just made me sad, confused and pissed. Hasn't he been through enough, what was the point and why did the author decide to do that, because as much as it hurt me, it took me out od the story those parts just felt too unrealistic. It is impossible that in 16 years of his life he hasn't ran into someone decent enough to help him, someone who is not a pedophile and a rapist.
2) Repetitiveness. I know that is the whole point, but some Judes thoughts felt a little too repetitive in the end. It was okay at first, but coming close to the end of the book it was too much for me. We already know Jude, we know how much his work means to him and the way he feels like a whole person there, so I think that those thoughts were a bit unnecessery and the only reason i put this here was because I feel like it would be better to remove some of those parts and replace them with a story of another character.
3) And here is the last part that I didn't like and it's connected with part 2) which is lack of another charachters stories. When the book started, we were immediately introduced to JB, Malcolm and Willem. And through the book that gets lost, we do get more of Willem though, but what about JB and Malcom!!! I was really invested in JBs addiction story and when that part ended he wasn't mentioned anymore that deeply, also we get a brief moments for Malcom and him not being sure about his sexuality and him deciding if he wants to get married, but that's all.
Liked:
I really liked the characters and how complex they were. From the very beginning it feels like they are real people and that you are indeed reading about someones life, someones thoughts, beliefs, dreams and doubts. Because of that, the book feels so raw and real(if you ignore the happy years, chapter 2). And in the end I was so devastated, because of the way it ended and that it ended, meaning that I won't get to read more about the people, characters I fell in love with and just for that reason I know that I'll hold a lot of them near to my heart. Another thing that stood out to me was the pacing and the unknowns of the time. Time wasn't determined by days, years but with events, seasons and holidays. The writing was immaculate, I loved the way the author explained emotions and explored characters. There were a lot of parts that hit very hard and you feel it deeply, but there are also funny moments that make you laugh and some parts that you can relate to. Considering that the book is so long I never felt bored reading it or not wanting to pick it up, I don't know how that's possible, but somehow it is. For me the title represents all lives, because after sometime no one will remember you and it will be like you have never existed at all, but that is not the point, to be remembered, the point is that you got through the bad times and lived your life to the fullest, it was indeed little, but its yours and you should cherish it. Overall I loved the book and I will never forget it.
There is a lot to say about this book, so I'll start with the things that i didn't like and end with the things that I did.
Didn't:
1) First thing that I disliked was how much trauma Jude has gone throught and how it ruined the realism of the book. When Jude escaped the home and we find out everything that has happened to him, it just made me sad, confused and pissed. Hasn't he been through enough, what was the point and why did the author decide to do that, because as much as it hurt me, it took me out od the story those parts just felt too unrealistic. It is impossible that in 16 years of his life he hasn't ran into someone decent enough to help him, someone who is not a pedophile and a rapist.
2) Repetitiveness. I know that is the whole point, but some Judes thoughts felt a little too repetitive in the end. It was okay at first, but coming close to the end of the book it was too much for me. We already know Jude, we know how much his work means to him and the way he feels like a whole person there, so I think that those thoughts were a bit unnecessery and the only reason i put this here was because I feel like it would be better to remove some of those parts and replace them with a story of another character.
3) And here is the last part that I didn't like and it's connected with part 2) which is lack of another charachters stories. When the book started, we were immediately introduced to JB, Malcolm and Willem. And through the book that gets lost, we do get more of Willem though, but what about JB and Malcom!!! I was really invested in JBs addiction story and when that part ended he wasn't mentioned anymore that deeply, also we get a brief moments for Malcom and him not being sure about his sexuality and him deciding if he wants to get married, but that's all.
Liked:
I really liked the characters and how complex they were. From the very beginning it feels like they are real people and that you are indeed reading about someones life, someones thoughts, beliefs, dreams and doubts. Because of that, the book feels so raw and real(if you ignore the happy years, chapter 2). And in the end I was so devastated, because of the way it ended and that it ended, meaning that I won't get to read more about the people, characters I fell in love with and just for that reason I know that I'll hold a lot of them near to my heart. Another thing that stood out to me was the pacing and the unknowns of the time. Time wasn't determined by days, years but with events, seasons and holidays. The writing was immaculate, I loved the way the author explained emotions and explored characters. There were a lot of parts that hit very hard and you feel it deeply, but there are also funny moments that make you laugh and some parts that you can relate to. Considering that the book is so long I never felt bored reading it or not wanting to pick it up, I don't know how that's possible, but somehow it is. For me the title represents all lives, because after sometime no one will remember you and it will be like you have never existed at all, but that is not the point, to be remembered, the point is that you got through the bad times and lived your life to the fullest, it was indeed little, but its yours and you should cherish it. Overall I loved the book and I will never forget it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Kidnapping