A Little Life

Author: Hanya Yanagihara

Genre: Drama

Traits: Tragedy, Dark, Trauma, Friendship

Language: English

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    A Little Life is a book by Hanya Yanagihara. It is a deep dive into pain and redemption through the journey of four friends living in New York City. The novel, centered on Jude St. Francis, delves into themes of trauma, friendship, and survival with unflinching honesty.

The narrative's strength lies in its richly drawn characters. Yanagihara's portrayal of Jude is both heart-wrenching and captivating. His past, marred by abuse and suffering, casts a long shadow over his present, yet his resilience and the unwavering support of his friends provide glimmers of hope. Willem, Malcolm, and JB, each with their own intricately woven backstories, enrich the tapestry of the novel, making their bonds feel authentic and deeply moving. The author’s meticulous attention to detail and ability to evoke powerful emotions made me feel deeply connected to the character's struggles and triumphs.

    While the novel is undeniably ambitious in its scope and depth, it is not without significant flaws that affect its overall impact. The relentless focus on Jude’s sufferings sometimes felt overwhelming and the length of the book exacerbated this issue. Also, I felt the secondary characters like Malcolm and JB’s story were not fully realized. Their life outside Jude was not fully explored. 

    However the book will leave a lasting impression, but I also felt that the emotional toll it exacts was not entirely justified.

R/W Rating: 8/10

Goodreads Rating: 4.3/5

(As on date of publishing of post.)

R/W by: Shikha Lal