"A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara - Book Review
Summary
"When four graduates from a small Massachusetts college move to New York to make their way, they're broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their center of gravity. Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. Yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what he fears is a degree of trauma that he'll not only be unable to overcome - but that will define his life forever."
Review
Although sometimes convoluted and implausible, it is a harrowing overview of childhood trauma and lifelong relationships. Through the summary, I thought the book would revolve around the friendship of four characters, but it ultimately centres on Jude, scarred by a traumatic and unspeakable past. The book is gripping and the stream of consciousness around depressive and suicidal thoughts is poignant. While I believe it sometimes overuses improbable tragedies to evoke an emotional reaction, after 800 pages, I found myself truly caring for the characters and wishing for a stop to the emotional carnage. Extremely impactful and unforgettable.
Key Takeaways
- Extraordinary character depth
- Intense emotional journey
- Masterful writing about trauma and depression
Who Should Read This
Mature readers looking for complex psychological narratives and an intense reading experience.
Favourite Quote
"It is also then that I wish I believed in some sort of life after life, that in another universe, maybe on a small red planet where we have not legs but tails, where we paddle through the atmosphere like seals, where the air itself is sustenance, composed of trillions of molecules of protein and sugar and all one has to do is open one’s mouth and inhale in order to remain alive and healthy, maybe you two are there together, floating through the climate."
Rating
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5 stars)