A Little Life
Ratings562
Average rating4.1
PLEASE LOOK AT TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK.
Devastating read in a very elegant way. A story that has reserved itself a rating category of its own. Jude is someone who will remain on your mind for the rest of your life.
This isn’t a book I would recommend to everyone given its depth, but if one is able to read it - they will be nothing but emotionally changed.
♾️⭐️
I wanted to give it like 3 because the details that made me sad were REALLY detailed and really sad but that is the point of the book so I won't take that into account. The ending was unexpected to me which caused the good rating.
One of the most depressing books I've ever read.
It highlights the beauty of Jude, Willem, Malcolm, and JB's friendship, especially that of Jude and Willem.
Though, No one deserves to go through this much amount trauma, not even a fictional character. I highly do not recommend reading this.
I can't give this a rating, as I'm uncertain of how I feel about it.
i thought i would never finish this book not because it was boring just because the size scared me but it was a really good book i wouldn't recommend it to anyone as it's so triggering but i think it was beautiful
My best friend and I exchanged beloved books with the intention of annotating/making notes for each other. This was the first time I have ever done something like this and I had a lot of fun doing it.
As for the book itself, I thought it was great, even though it's definitely the most depressing book I have ever read, and Yanagihara is a beautiful writer, but I would have enjoyed it so much more if it was at least 300 pages shorter. I made a couple of notes at different intervals expressing my disbelief that I still had so many pages left. I remember thinking a lot of that one booktok video, where the creator was basically like “I love reading but it's never this serious” showing war and peace with its like 2000 pages “like what story needs this long to be told” or something like that, and I felt that constantly; there was no reason this book needed to be over 800 pages. I thought so much of it was unnecessary. To be honest, I didn't need JB's perspective at all, and quite frankly, he and Malcom didn't even need to be in the book. They could have just been characters mentioned by name like the Henry Youngs that maybe had a touch of backstory but nothing more.
After reading, I am still not sure what the goal/point/message of the story is and what Yanagihara was trying to achieve by writing it. Obviously, not every story is a fairy tale with a clear message for the readers, but this is clearly a personal story that has a huge impact. There has to be a reason Yanagihara set out to write the book beyond “this idea came to me and I think it would make for a good read”. I also don't know if, as readers, we are supposed to know the point of the story or if those reasons are for Yanagihara alone, but some kind of direction would be nice. If the purpose of the story is that Jude has a terrible childhood and deserves peace and happiness, it could have been told in a much shorter time frame. Maybe the purpose is to show examples of human cruelty...for some reason...but the same thing applies.
Also, I know this is petty, but the fact that this book didn't come with its own extensive list of trigger warnings really bothers me. There are so many moments that people should know about in advance so they can prepare themselves.
I honestly don't see myself recommending this book, unfortunately.
The writing was engaging and hugely readable, the plot...less so. definitely got better at the end imo, maybe because I became acclimated to the level of seriously unfortunate tragedy that permeated his life. but the sheer degree of tragedy seemed almost ridiculous, which i suppose i am in a privileged position to think but how many pedophiles in america are there really?? like his childhood went pedophile monks—>pedophile orphanage people—>pedophile truckers—>pedophile psychiatrist???? I suppose as predators they are noticing that he is vulnerable and go after him at a higher degree, but it seemed kind of overwrought, literally every grown man he met up to the age of 15 was horrible. Just as Jude's childhood was unbelievably awful, he himself was unbelievably perfect. He is a genius mathematician and incredible lawyer, fluent in multiple languages that he learnt at a later age, an incredible pianist and singer, perfect homemaker, dazzlingly handsome (but he cannot see it) etc etc. And the people in his life love him, for these reasons as well as his seemingly effortless kindness and charisma. It just felt a little heavy handed when combined with the extreme tragedy of his upbringing (and of some aspects of his later life, these being events that he brings upon himself because of the self hatred stemming from his upbringing). Ultimately this book was more good than bad: I liked the bits about the purpose of life, and at the end how deeply and unconditionally his parents loved him. It was also a fast and hugely engaging read, definitely a result of the prose rather than any light-heartedness in the plot!
So glad it’s finally over. And so glad to have read it.
The first third was sublime. Truly sublime. Yanagihara writes exquisitely, both in tone and style: tremendous compassion and intelligence; beautiful language; fascinating variations in narrative style. Over and over I felt overwhelmed by her sensitivity and awareness. At one point I commented to a friend that it was like reading the NOT LIKE THIS section of a communication self-help book: tiptoeing around delicate subjects, talking across each other, never really Listening. My tone was admiring: only someone with awareness could write such painful examples of the ways we try but fail to connect with others.
The “painful” theme is developed in the next third, to a degree I found perhaps excessive but that could just be my privilege speaking. The final third, unfortunately, I was desensitized and just slogging through: okay, more suffering; okay, valuable insights on human behavior and relationships; repeat.
An observation I made: the book does not pass the Bechdel test. Seven hundred pages, and no two female characters speak to one another. Another observation: no man could possibly have written this book. Few men have the emotional range. And that leads me to my main gripe about the book: the motivations didn’t work, didn’t feel real. The book is primarily about male friendships, but increasingly the dynamics felt inexplicable and rang false. This was fine in the first third, but ultimately weakened the structure. Lesser gripes: too-pat development of the main characters’ lives, and breezy dismissal of what I consider uncomfortable moral questions.
Highly recommended, but with reservations. And with a warning: have a box of tissues nearby.
During the first chapters: I don't get why people get sad over this
After reading the rest: Oh
“Who am I? Who am I?”
“You're Jude St. Francis. You are my oldest, dearest friend. You're the son of Harold Stein and Julia Altman. You're the friend of Malcolm Irvine, of Jean-Baptiste Marion, of Richard Goldfarb, of Andy Contractor, of Lucien Voigt, of Citizen van Straaten, of Rhodes Arrowsmith, of Elijah Kozma, of Phaedra de los Santos, of the Henry Youngs. You're a New Yorker. You live in SoHo. You volunteer for an arts organization; you volunteer for a food kitchen. You're a swimmer. You're a baker. You're a cook. You're a reader. You have a beautiful voice, though you never sing anymore. You're an excellent pianist. You're an art collector. You write me lovely messages when I'm away. You're patient. You're generous. You're the best listener I know. You're the smartest person I know, in every way. You're the bravest person I know, in every way. You're a lawyer. You're the chair of the litigation department at Rosen Pritchard and Klein. You love your job; you work hard at it. You're a mathematician. You're a logician. You've tried to teach me, again and again. You were treated horribly. You came out on the other end. You were always you.”
“And who are you?”
“I'm Willem Ragnarsson. And I will never let you go.”
—
The journey that I went on with this novel was...something, to say the very, very least, and it started with a warning. Actually, several, from many different people who, when I expressed that I was even considering picking it up in the first place, were quick to DM me variations of the phrase, “Aja, don't. Do not read that book. Don't do it.” Well, anyone who knows me well enough knows that I am quite the contrarian, and when things come into my view with blaring lights and sirens, warnings and controversy, I just have to explore for myself.
And when I tell you that I am so glad I did, that would be the understatement of the century.
This book - this dense and rich character study, this portrait of a fictional person I think I could safely say I know more intimately than most of my own extended family - was the book to end all books, the narratives to end all narratives. Never have I picked up a book and been so enthralled, so continuously compelled to read one page and then another and another til the sky went from light to dark. Never have I been this engaged by, this taken by a character (Jude), or characters so much so that their failures and successes, their highs and lows feel like my own, feel both thrilling and upsetting, so personal to me. And it got soooo much emotion out of me, smiles and laughs, as well as tears and sobs.
The world this book created in my head was so vast and detailed. Never have I had more fun mentally “casting” people to play each part, never has a literary image produced in my head been so vivid and real. It was absolutely delicious in that right as well. God, all of the lore, the trauma!!!!!
And look, I am trying so hard to give words to what was such a transcendental experience for me, so sorry for all the rambling. But I am just at my wits end with this, y'all. This book was everything to me, and not even a one-million word review could encapsulate that.
Like, I just...I just can't.
Do not listen to the haters or some random people on Twitter who only read the Sparknotes.
Please read this fucking book: today, tomorrow, or somewhere down the road in your life.
I promise you will not regret it!
This is a book that will stay with you for a very long time, for better or for worse. It seems you either love or hate this book, and I came out loving it (even though I ugly cried through over 20% of it—and it's a long book).
As someone who usually reads fantasy and not much set in the real world, I could not put this book down once I got past the introductory section. It was very easy for me to get attached to Jude, who the entire book revolves around (I didn't even realize when starting that this is mainly his story). I was rooting for him the entire way through, desperately wanting to know more about him at each turn as it would offer me something new as a treat.
The characters all felt like they lived real and true lives, and written to perfectly match how you're meant to feel about them in that moment. Even certain characters who I loved the whole way through made errors that I hated reading about, thought to myself that I wouldn't forgive someone doing that to me—and that's life. The relationships everyone has with each other, not just with Jude, are the strongest part of the book.
I'm not used to reading such long prose, but it was very enjoyable. I did have several moments where I would start reading one sentence and get lost among the different branching off thoughts and ideas the single sentence goes through, and I'd have to return to the beginning of the sentence to remember what it was meant to be about. This would also happen with chapters, which would sometimes go into a completely different topic than where we first started before finally circling back around. There was also a lot of academic and legal talk that made me wish I were going back to university, and I didn't have a good mind map of the locations and geography talked about, which makes me curious if someone who knows New York well would be able to picture it clearly.
I think about this story at least once a day.
This is one of the best character-driven stories I've read, with characters that are lovable, flawed, nuanced, and feel real. A five-star read (for me) should make me feel something deeply and have stories and characters that will stay with me forever. This is that story. That being said, I would be very hesitant to recommend this to people. Please check the trigger warnings and only read when you're in the right headspace to read some traumatic shit.
—
I understand why some people would not like this book. This book has so many horrific things described or alluded to, but they aren't there for shock value. To reduce this book to “trauma porn” is to ignore the way this story focuses on the impact these events have on the human who experienced it and those around them; it's to ignore the feelings of joy and hope this book elicits (don't get me wrong, you will also experience plenty of anger, despair, and sadness!).
There is a tenderness and sweetness to the way this story is told despite the horrible events. This is a found-family story, of living with a disability, addiction, mental illness, identity, and the transition to adulthood. It is also largely a story about growing up with trauma, ending up in cycles of abuse, and trying to overcome these things.
Most of this story is told from a third-person perspective, but later on in the book it switches from third and second-person perspective. This is done effectively and produces the desired impact. No notes. My only complaint with this is book is how ridiculously long the chapters are. I was listening to the audiobook alongside it and most chapters were 2-3 hours long. Some even 4. So beware if you, like me, have big chapter fear.
I don't think this is a 5-star read everyone needs to read. I would say most people shouldn't. But if you want to embark on the journey of reading it, you will meet some of the most wonderfully written characters who will steal your heart and then destroy it. Good luck!
Я не буду давать окончательную оценку прочитанному, потому что эта книга не измеряется категориями «нравится» или «не нравится».
Изначально мне хотелось оставить длинный и немного злой отзыв (да и сам отзыв по правде уже был написан, когда я закончила книгу на 2/3), но по окончании впечатление несколько видоизменилось.
Да, мне все еще кажется, что в книге всего чрез меру (и мне понятно, что такова была цель писательницы). Все еще кажется, что она довольно манипулятивно обошлась со своими персонажами. Что все это не очень красиво по отношению к людям, прошедшим через настоящее насилие.
И я все еще не могу воспринимать эту книгу, как историю о дружбе. Для меня она прежде всего про то, что нельзя спасти человека от него самого, как бы ты не пытался.
Starts off slow and casual, with a good cast of characters, but near the second half, it practically becomes misery porn. Jude's trauma is a primary plot point, and it leads to some interesting dynamics, and relationships that carry the narrative all the way towards the final page. However, many moments in the story are excessively sadistic and depressing for the sake of shock value. I'm a bit iffy on the death of Willem. It's a very sudden development, especially when things were starting to get more positive for Jude, and the entire cast. Admittedly, Willem and Jude getting together near the end of the story was rather wholesome, and worked to make you invested in their future together, just to take it away a few chapters later. In a way, I can appreciate the tragedy that pushes the story towards its climax, but when put in the bigger picture, it genuinely just adds onto the traumatic, depressing atmosphere, that is somewhat the appeal of the work, but also feels so unnecessary at some points. It hurts the story when it borders on unbelievably sadistic. Though, it adds a level of a dreading enevitability of Jude committing suicide, which he did at the end. The protagonist's conclusion does feel like tying a bow on a truly horrifying reality of mental illness, but at the same time, I don't see the point. Genuinely, there was not a message to justify all the pain. I'm sure you can get something out of the story, such as a self reflection on yourself. At least, that's the case for me. At some points it did affect me personally, considering Jude's character is frankly, a realistic depiction of how many people feel—his inability to escape this false perception that he doesn't deserve to be open about his issues. It's relatable, and works for what it is. I can't help but think it could have toned down the cruelty. I'm conflicted on whether keeping the death of Willem really benefits or breaks the story, since on one hand, it's the big push that sparks the Greek Tragedy of an ending, but on the other hand, no one said “A Little Life” couldn't have a happy ending, where Jude goes the therapy route, and begins to self improve, and overcome his trauma. Then again, what we got fits with the rest of the novel's tone. I can't say I didn't find an intrigue in the framework of the story, and at points, it surely tugged at my heart strings deeply, but in my mind, it just needed to dial back on the emotional trauma.
Starts off slow and casual, with a good cast of characters, but near the second half, it practically becomes misery porn. Jude's trauma is a primary plot point, and it leads to some interesting dynamics, and relationships that carry the narrative all the way towards the final page. However, many moments in the story are excessively sadistic and depressing for the sake of shock value. I'm a bit iffy on the death of Willem. It's a very sudden development, especially when things were starting to get more positive for Jude, and the entire cast. Admittedly, Willem and Jude getting together near the end of the story was rather wholesome, and worked to make you invested in their future together, just to take it away a few chapters later. In a way, I can appreciate the tragedy that pushes the story towards its climax, but when put in the bigger picture, it genuinely just adds onto the traumatic, depressing atmosphere, that is somewhat the appeal of the work, but also feels so unnecessary at some points. It hurts the story when it borders on unbelievably sadistic. Though, it adds a level of a dreading enevitability of Jude committing suicide, which he did at the end. The protagonist's conclusion does feel like tying a bow on a truly horrifying reality of mental illness, but at the same time, I don't see the point. Genuinely, there was not a message to justify all the pain. I'm sure you can get something out of the story, such as a self reflection on yourself. At least, that's the case for me. At some points it did affect me personally, considering Jude's character is frankly, a realistic depiction of how many people feel—his inability to escape this false perception that he doesn't deserve to be open about his issues. It's relatable, and works for what it is. I can't help but think it could have toned down the cruelty. I'm conflicted on whether keeping the death of Willem really benefits or breaks the story, since on one hand, it's the big push that sparks the Greek Tragedy of an ending, but on the other hand, no one said “A Little Life” couldn't have a happy ending, where Jude goes the therapy route, and begins to self improve, and overcome his trauma. Then again, what we got fits with the rest of the novel's tone. I can't say I didn't find an intrigue in the framework of the story, and at points, it surely tugged at my heart strings deeply, but in my mind, it just needed to dial back on the emotional trauma.
I need to know... who is recommending this book and to please STOP!!!!
A Little life was absolutely beautifully written I'll give it that and that is why it is getting 4 stars. Otherwise, this is not a book for anyone who has been through any type of trauma nor is it a book for someone who is not in a good mental space. It often felt like trauma porn which shouldn't be a thing but clearly is. Please consider your mental well-being before picking up this book.
Le doy cinco estrellas porque es un libro que me ha atravesado como una flecha, recta y sin posibilidad de cambio de dirección como el principio y desenlace de la historia; provocando una herida imaginaria en mí con la que he llorado de la forma más real posible.
Pero es un libro que no recomendaría, ni pondría como de mis lecturas favoritas. Es masoquismo emocional, tan irreal pero igualmente desgarrador y triste. Lloras porque no te queda otra, al igual que sueltas un grito viendo una película de terror.
- emotional, gripping, affecting, hard to put down
- questionable obsession with queer suffering
- reinforces stereotypical connection between homosexuality and pedophilia
- author's presence in the text felt too strong and ubiqutous
- the unfolding of their lives feels hard to believe
- lack of strong female characters
It is a very well written book. The character are very much alive to the point where you could actually believe they live in the real world. That said, I would not recommend this book and I suggest people think about it before picking up this book.