A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

This is for sure the saddest book I have ever read. In my life. Seriously, why the fuck did I think I am strong enough to?

The writing, the prose is gorgeous. Absolutely devastatingly beautiful, but it is sad sad sad. Just when you feel some respite, the author has a way of pulling you down. Further and further. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve finished the book, and it is still with me. I don’t think it will leave me anytime soon.

Why. The. Fuck. Trigger warnings for everything. It unfolds the story of abuse, and what repercussions it has later. This is not an easy one to read. No spoilers, but some details: Beautiful Willem, beautiful Harold, I want to hug Jude. I think the only thing that was disappointing was that none of the characters surprised me. I yearned for a bit more complexity. Like, everyone did what they were doing. I wished for a little more from all of them.

I did get teary many many many times, but I truly bawled when I read the last chapter. I did love that the book ended with that person’s POV (again, no spoilers). ‘A Little Life’ has a beautiful way of jumping POVs. Hanya Yanagihara is a master at this. It’s so seamless, that you have to keep reading to understand who is talking. I LOVED IT. I HATED IT. Why. The. Fuck. I will not recommend this to you, although I would love to discuss this with you. It is painful. It is sad. Don’t do it. And if you do, hit me up - but also… if you do… Why. The. Fuck.

2.5/5