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A review by adamstristan
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
this is the most devasting, heart wrenching book to exist. i have never cried so much while reading a book. not just a few tears here and there, but sobbing.
i don’t think i can give it a rating because i don’t know how to condense my feelings about it into a number. i also don’t think i can compare it to any other books i’ve read. i don’t know if i’d even recommend it to anyone or not.
this book was profound and meaningful but also so incredibly long. even though i enjoyed it, at times, it felt like i’d never get through it. however, now after finishing it, i appreciate how long it was because i think it was necessary to spend that much time with the characters to get to know them and understand them.
the writing style was also really confusing at times. the author’s sentences are hard to follow and you need to read very carefully to follow what is being said. the POVs switch with different chapters but there’s no indication of who’s POV it is. you just have to know. same with timelines. you just have to figure it out, which you eventually do pretty easily.
i don’t think i can say much else without giving too much away since its best to know nothing going into it. also if you’re sensitive to literally anything, this book will trigger you so probably look up content warnings before reading.
i don’t think i can give it a rating because i don’t know how to condense my feelings about it into a number. i also don’t think i can compare it to any other books i’ve read. i don’t know if i’d even recommend it to anyone or not.
this book was profound and meaningful but also so incredibly long. even though i enjoyed it, at times, it felt like i’d never get through it. however, now after finishing it, i appreciate how long it was because i think it was necessary to spend that much time with the characters to get to know them and understand them.
the writing style was also really confusing at times. the author’s sentences are hard to follow and you need to read very carefully to follow what is being said. the POVs switch with different chapters but there’s no indication of who’s POV it is. you just have to know. same with timelines. you just have to figure it out, which you eventually do pretty easily.
i don’t think i can say much else without giving too much away since its best to know nothing going into it. also if you’re sensitive to literally anything, this book will trigger you so probably look up content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping
Minor: Car accident