A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life is a hugely successful novel by Hanya Yanagihara. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2015 and is a million-copy bestseller.

If I’m honest, it’s a book I’d been putting off reading. At 736 pages I knew it wasn’t going to be a quick read. I saw it discussed on Between The Covers as Nish Kumar spoke about it as a book that had made a lasting impression on him. My friend then told me it was the best book she’s ever read so I knew I had to see for myself what all the fuss was about.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: Plot

The book tells the story of four friends who met in college and moved to New York. JB is an aspiring artist, Malcolm an architect, Willem an actor and Jude, a lawyer. Jude is a pivotal member of the friendship group and the narrative mainly follows him. We follow them over several decades as they navigate life and all its challenges.

As they grow older, their friendship deepens as they realise their greatest challenge is trying to help Jude. Jude’s life has been marred by abuse and disability and despite being an incredibly talented lawyer, he remains a broken man. Jude’s unhappiness impacts them all as they desperately try to offer him the support he doesn’t seem willing to accept.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: My Opinion

I’m honestly finding it so hard to review this book. It’s undeniably beautifully written and it’s an exceptional piece of literary fiction. The characters are so well-drawn, I could vividly see them in my mind’s eye. I almost felt like I knew them. They were flawed and realistic and I’ll remember them, and the book as a whole, for a very long time. But did I enjoy it? It’s hard to say I did.

I loved the themes of brotherhood and love and acceptance. I just found it really harrowing in places. I think because I cared so much about the characters and especially about Jude, every disappointment or betrayal just felt so personal.

As the book was so long it almost felt like an endurance challenge. There was just so much misery and suffering and I felt I had to keep taking a break from it because it was just so upsetting. I connected with it emotionally which is testament to the exceptional writing but it was just too heartbreaking for me to say I was enjoying what I was reading.

Having said that, I feel I have to give it five stars because it is a brilliant, thought-provoking read that will stay with me forever. I’ll never forget Jude and Willem. I always feel that a truly good book should leave a lasting impression and A Little Life certainly delivered that. Having said that it’s definitely not a book I would like to read again!