A Little Life

So, I had to wait for a few days before writing a review just because I had a lot of emotions and needed some distance before I could think about my opinions on the book.

I was unsure whether to read it in the first place, firstly because I new that it would be heartbreaking (it is) and secondly because some people consider it to be ???traumap*rn???, meaning the topics are just triggering and sad and depressing for the shock factor and do not have literary value.

I will address this point first, because personally I did not feel that way at all. Jude, our main protagonist is a physically disabled man that faced a lot of trauma as a child and teenager and now as an adult has to cope with it. Sometimes it is not pretty, his story is not ???empowering??? in the sense that he overcomes all his struggles and then goes on TED talks.
Instead it is raw and heartwrenching and frustratingly unfair. This story is about a person who fights everyday for the smallest relief, for just a bit of love and happiness.

And he finds them in his friends and loved ones who never stop believing in him. But sometimes, it is just not enough and your demons still find you.

I feel like - and this comes from a place of love - if someone cannot empathize with this struggle they probably are very lucky and healthy people.

I also want to adress that in my opinion this story is also a cautionary tale about a broken health and juridical system where abused children do not get the help that they need and are left to their own devices. I do not share the author???s opinion that ???some people are too broken for therapy???, but I will say that it gets harder the longer you do nothing.

Lastly I will say: before you read this book please mind the trigger warnings, they are necessary and if your mental health is not at its best right now, maybe skip this one. If you do read it, I think you will find beautiful prose and beautiful people who just try their best.