A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

"The eleventh apartment had only one closet, but it did have a sliding glass door that opened onto a small balcony, from which he could see a man sitting across the way, outdoors in only a T-shirt and shorts even though it was October, smoking.", so begins the novel, "A Little Life". This is our book club's pick for January 2024.

Published: 2015
Author: Hanya Yanagihara
Genre: Novel
Pages: 814
My rating: 3/5

The novel follows the lives of four college friends living in New York City. The story primarily revolves around Jude St. Francis, a lawyer with a mysterious and traumatic past. The novel delves into the complexities of friendship, trauma, and the enduring impact of one's past. It explores the deep emotional and psychological scars that Jude carries while also examining the bonds and challenges within the group of friends.

The book really shows how hard it is to move on from a tough past and how it affects not just you but also the people who care about you. It's frustrating and heartbreaking. The author doesn't shy away from describing self-harm. It was pretty overwhelming to read.

I typically lean towards stories that uplift, offer hope, and leave you with a warm feeling, but this book was the opposite of that. I prefer not to dwell on sadness. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend this book. However, if you appreciate beautifully written prose and character-driven stories with deep exploration of trauma, you might like this book. But be prepared for heavy themes.

Happy Reading!

[edited May 9th, 2025]

Comments

Books I read in 2024. I found my new favourite

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