A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

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Wow. This book is truly a masterpiece. I had a tough time getting interested in it at first but once I did, wow. I was sucked in and when I had to put it down, I found myself thinking about it and couldn’t wait to pick it back up. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride of emotions reading it. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

AHHH. literally what happened, I’ve cried so hard but it was worth it ily jude

The best book I’ve ever read. A triumph

Amazing. I could not put this book down. One of the best books I have read in awhile and it only took me about a week to finish. I got so lost in the characters I felt like I was part of the story.

I-. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone because it’s so traumatic and depressing, but it’s also the best book I’ve ever read. Take that as you will. 10/10

Do not see what the hype is about. Honestly could not finish this book. It dragged on for so long. Forced myself to get through 80% of this book before I could not read it any longer. This book is so predictable and every 30 pages was about rape. I am open to reading anything, but this was too much. Story line could have ended way earlier.

I finished the book a few days ago, but am still thinking of Jude. Almost fifty pages or so into the downloaded sample, I groaned. I knew I was hooked and realized I had to finish the book. I have never read a book like this. The first maybe half of the book did not prepare me for what came in later chapters. I cared about some of the characters and hated others. The whole story of the little lives unfolded made shiver at times, at other times I needed to put down my iPad and remember I was not there in the room with them.

must read but massive trigger warning. an absolute heartbreaking masterpiece. never have i experienced such a range of pure emotion from joy, to anger, to sadness, to disgust. it covers such intense subject matter, but does so so eloquently, that you are unable to pull away from the story for even a second.

destroyed. this book absolutely tore me apart, limb from limb. I would admonish anyone who plans on reading this to please review the trigger warnings, even if you feel like it may spoil the book for you a bit. you need to prepare yourself, but this book made me feel more than I thought possible. it’s well-written, mostly easy to follow, and has the ability to change you as a person.

It is what it is. I read this based on reviews that said it wrecked them emotionally. I was not disappointed in that effect. I was in fact wrecked, whipped around, laughed, cried, ached in the best and worst ways for the characters. This one goes officially into my top three favorite books of all time.

Emotional roller coaster. It’s an amazing book, sometimes it was slow and i had to force myself to keep reading at other times i couldn’t stop. It’s heartbreaking and tragic. Don’t read this if you want a happy ever after ending.

Great book and a great finish. Great book. A bit too much/over the top, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ended so well!

Devastating, but a must read. There are so many things that I could say about this book, so many things I could call it, but nothing would ever be enough. This book made me sob, not once, but twice, but you should definitely read it. Be kind to yourself while you read it, as it can be difficult at times, but definitely do it. This is easily my favorite book, but I’ll never read it again. I can’t, but you should

you will never forget this. astounding and earth shattering. a story that feels bigger and vaster than a hundred lifetimes

best book ever. no book has or ,i’m guessing will ever compare. life altering, might need to emotionally prepare

Hard to say. Emotional pungent but sadism, teaches us little

Harrowing, but worth reading. This book is unforgettable. It’s a very difficult read because of the dark subject matter of abuse, self-harm, and self-hatred, but it nonetheless can hook you and takes you deep into several characters’ psyches in a very powerful way. Some of the book’s flaws are that it’s too long, it’s repetitive (although that seems to be kind of the point), and it’s somewhat unbelievable at times that so many terrible things could happen to one person. Nonetheless, it’s worth reading this book. I wouldn’t say that it has a lot of concrete life lessons to impart but going through the journey of coming to know these characters, and leaving the pages feeling that I will continue to be haunted by them was an important experience in engaging with a work of art, and the book did leave me meditating on hope, the limitations of empathy, and the futility of trying to control others’ actions.

The book that made me change my mind. I tought this book wasn’t gonna be sad but after reading it it certainly was I was having a good day and saw videos about this book saying it’s sad and emotional so I read it and boy would u know I got devastated I cried so hard every day and I still change my mind about this book. But overall great book 5/5 (10/10) LOVE IT! read this WITH CAUTION.

Could not put it down. I don’t even know how to describe my love for this book. As depressing as it is, if comforted me. It made me want to cherish things and people around me more. It made me feel close to the characters and I’m sad that it ended.

Long but worth the read. Wow!! I haven’t read a 700 plus book in awhile and I can say this was one that definitely keep my emotions going up and down but it was written so vividly. It is definitely a must read but be ready for a roller coaster.

Great. Cried cried got happy cried. Now I can’t help but see pieces of each character in the people around me.

Epic. A well written story but endlessly sad.

Exhausted. Sad and emotionally draining

Wow. This book is a roller coaster and is worth every minute. A beautiful and gripping tale of all aspects of life - friendships, relationships, depression, laughter. You name it, it’s in here. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time and one I’ll probably revisit time and time again. Truly a wonderful read.

Y. Y

Fantastic First Half. Then too sad

yes 5. It’s a very good book. I got through it in 3 months…a little at a time will do. My one complaint is ditch that sappy, pouty cover. I saw his face through out the book, very annoying.

A little life. Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed reading this book. It’s moved to the top of my favorite reads. All the pain, suffering, love, relationships, and the way you can feel every ounce of it. I appreciate the title after finishing. It’s the perfect title.

Too much of a painful thing. I persevered and read to the end but really think the novel would have had a greater emotional impact if it had been a few hundred pages shorter. Jade’s early life and all he endured are unquestionably horrific. And I guess the author wants the reader to understand how nearly impossible it is to recover from the kind of abuse that Jude suffers. His later life is almost as extremely positive as his early life was beyond horrible. But nothing - not the love of friends nor the devotion of a new set of adoptive parents can relieve the self loathing that plagues Jude. And I know this is the burden of the abused- victims suffer a lifetime of shame and often pursue all sorts of the various means of self destruction. But for me it seemed the author just drags the reader through page after page of this misery so that I grew weary rather than emotionally moved. I wanted to cry -I love books that move me in a deeply emotional way. But in the end I wished the editing had been more effective- making something longer (over 800 pages) does not necessarily make it better.

Aching. I haven’t read a story as complex and emotionally jarring as this. So horrific, and yet undeniably comforting in its ways to make the reader understand and sympathize with its many characters. I want to cry now having finished it but I’m sitting next to both my parents and dogs watching a Christmas movie and know it isn’t the place. But I will when I’m back to my solitude in my room alone. Wow- this book.

Words escape me. I’ve never felt more humanity reach me, truly touch me, torture my soul, and wrench tears, than the days I spent reading this. I’m thankful for the reminder of life.

Really long and extremely morose. It was hard to read. Can someone really hate himself that much? Not an uplifting book. I had to put it down for two weeks because the main character was so self destructive. Should’ve been way shorter of a story.

No words. I’m more human after reading this book. I can’t believe even after 900+ pages, I’m not ready for it to be finished. Reader Beware: This book can be extremely triggering because it talks about themes of domestic violence, child abuse, and suicide. Please be kind to yourself while reading

Fantastic. Couldn’t stop reading. Very captive! Emotional story!

My fav book now. This book. I’ve never cried reading a book ever until this one. It’s so emotional and filled with such painful things to read about.

Masterpiece. So beautiful

I hate to love it so much. I kept finding myself putting down the book multiple times while I was reading this . There wasn’t a single chapter that didn’t absolutely pull me in and pull my tears out . At some parts I even caught myself gripping the back of my book cover so much that I even have to go out and buy a new one for my book shelf , it was completely wrinkled . As much as I love the book , I will never read or even grab the book again , I just know that I could never be able to go through again the way I did in my first and last read . It was raw, brutal, heartbreaking, emotionally draining and indecipherably wonderful .

Brilliant. This is my second time reading this book and my heart is broken into a million pieces at my feet. Again. Simply, this book is about life. The struggles, the sadness and madness, the beauty, the absolute human cruelty, the love through redemption, the sweetness and bitterness of everyday existence. It is brilliantly written. It will make you laugh and make you cry. It’s full of anguish and pure love and healing. Of torment. Of friendship. It’s a difficult and brutal read in parts but stay with it. Trust me, it will remain with you long after the last page is turned.

Not for the faint of heart, worth it.. Dark. Pulls you down and somehow you climb back up. Fascinating story and characters.

Slow. No real punch.. Ode to male friendship. Very slow. Main character acts in ways no real person would. Fantastical story with a lot of run on sentences.

Heart wrenching, well written, captivating.. This book is a masterpiece. There’s no other way to put it. You feel for these characters like they are real people, and it’s absolutely heart wrenching. This book is the kind you have to put down after you read it and stare off into space for a few minutes, just feeling. And occasionally WHILE you are reading the book. A Little Life is by far one of the best books I’ve read, I can’t recommend it enough.

An emotional roller coaster. A riveting tale, so heartbreaking, yet endearing.

my all time favorite book but. hanya yanagihara absolutely outdid herself with this. it is such a raw and well put story that i can not even begin to explain. however, it is so heart wrenching that i do not know when i will be able to pick this up again to reread or when i will be ready to read another book. i think about the characters every single day and will carry this books story with me for the rest of my life. please look up trigger warnings before reading this!

The book that made me love books.. A cruel, raw, unapologetic story about pain and love. A story that could came across as perverse or cynical, but it brings you to a tender reality that we live in every day. I loved the characters, and I hated some of them too. I wish Jude had had the opportunity to truly enjoy his adult life, to learn that people really loved him. I wish I could hug him and let him know that everything that happened to him is over and he’s safe now.

Heartbreaking. An absolute heartbreaking masterpiece. Every heartache the author is able to make sure you feel what the characters are feeling 10/10

Gut wrenching. This book is breathtakingly remarkable.

Just an opinion. gets kind of boring in the middle, picked it up because of reviews saying that it’s sad, overrated. I think the reviews describing it as “trauma porn” is spot on.

A mixed bag, as is life... At times a page turner, other times slow and uneventful. I have never been so surrounded by a world as I was while reading this book. These characters are a part of me and feel like people I used to know.

A masterpiece. I know that some people feel like this work may be exploitation, but when I read it I couldn’t help but feel something different. I have never had a book so accurately capture the experiences that took place in this book. And I don’t think that can be faked, it comes from a place of suffering and knowing that can only be felt by the ones who it’s meant for. Thank you for this book. Thank you for giving words and life to a nameless monster that has plagued my entire existence. It’s soothing.

This book will break your heart.. Such a beautiful story about a group of friends who truly love one another. But the ending and Jude’s story will break your heart into a million pieces and make you wish you could have done something, anything, for him. I’ve never been one to cry whilst reading a book, but this changed that. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much at such a sad ending. Five stars because it is a great book that made me feel vivid emotions I haven’t experienced in a while. Please read this book at your heart’s own risk.

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A Little Life. The character development and writing are excellent-5/5. The breadth and depth of the melancholy are haunting and, hence, the overall 3/5 rating.

A Little Life. While I enjoyed the writer's style, many times I had to put this book down because it was so upsetting.Still bothers me the next day!

A Little Life. Unbelievably captivating. Emotionally harrowing. These characters will stay with me for a long time.

Great writing, poetic, but.... ....the relentless abuses depicted in this novel become tiring. Halfway through, I lost all empathy and just wanted it to be over. This hefty novel could have used a more aggressive editor.

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Devastating. Poignant. Beautiful.. Hands down, this is the best book I have ever read.

A little life is great. It's such an amazing life lesson boook. It taught me about things I never knew.

Amazing, upsetting, and thought provoking. I absolutely loved this book, until I didn't. I couldn't stop thinking about it and actually still can't. I've been trying to decide what is bothering me about the book and think it's because the story line for Jude is implausible. While I love the message of hope and caring that is woven in the novel, it is just too hard to believe that someone who has been as deeply abused as Jude would find a group of people to care for him so much, especially when he was consumed with pushing them away. Finding a boyfriend is one thing, but finding someone to adopt an adult male is quite unusual. That being said, this is one of the best books I have read in a long while, and probably will be for a long time going forward. Thank you for writing.

Devastatingly Sad. I loved this book. It broke my heart over and over again. Never read or experienced anything like it. I'll probably think about Jude St. Francis for weeks and months.

Brutally honest, sad, heartbreaking yet still heartwarming. It's not a light book or for the ones who are too weak to stomach such a life. I can't imagine anyone living as long as Jude did, but I suppose there are people out there in even worse conditions and live till old age. It's so brutally honest and raw that many folks will dislike this book. But it's also filled with heart warming moments. To have such love and loyalty from so many people is also a gift that many of us don't have. Not giving any details of the book but it was predictable what happens to those characters. It's long but I couldn't stop reading it. It was a brilliant book!

Because he knew he wasn’t. This book is incredible for many reasons. Instead of imposing these my reasons on you, I will leave you to develop your own. I will say only this: the people (yes, people, not characters) in this book feel as real in this life as the people who are physically real in this life, my life, the one that inhabits the space that you and I share together on the Earth, and the emotions they’ve brought me to feel and the lessons they’ve brought me to learn will, I think, stay with me for as long as I can imagine. You must read this book, in its entirety: you must read and then inhabit this life, so that it might inhabit you. I will only say, as a disclaimer, that while this book offers sometimes immense hope, its reputation as a tragedy also holds true, and if you are insecure in your attachment to life, this book could either present a danger or a salvation, so read carefully, and know that you can stop reading at any time and leave the lives as they are on that page. Thinking of you, with love, A.

Amazing read. One of the most impactful reads I have ever enjoyed. I have never read a book with such intricate, creative and robust character development.

A Little Life. Excellent book- well written with words and feelings. Characters are so well developed that the reader becomes part of the story.

Life changing.. Very few books have had such a profound impact on me. A heart wrenching story told in a delicate way that shines on every detail, bringing each and every character to fullness. Jude, Willem, Malcom and JB felt so alive, so tangible - I will never forget them. Read this book and savor it. Let it wash over you and feel all of the pain. Honestly, it will be an experience like any other.

A Little Life. The single most beautiful and haunting story I have ever read. In truth I don't remember ever being affected so deeply by any book, movie, poem or piece of art. This book contains every one of those elements and each one builds on each other to create lives full of inconceivable agony and breathtaking beauty. Prepare to spend hours contemplating what you've read and each of those hours will enrich your own life mightily.

Fiction or Truth. Thank you for taking us through a multi faceted story telling, and again, for keeping us following, reaching, hoping for a better outcome. The main characters, their lives, interactions all seemingly realistic, and the more I read the greater my curiosities. A real page turner, although, at times the story of abuse unspeakable except in small doses.

Unbelievable. The most beautiful, devastating book I've read since A Fine Balance. Cannot recommend it enough.

This book will break your heart.. Such a beautiful story about a group of friends who truly love one another. But the ending and Jude’s story will break your heart into a million pieces and make you wish you could have done something, anything, for him. I’ve never been one to cry whilst reading a book, but this changed that. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much at such a sad ending. Five stars because it is a great book that made me feel vivid emotions I haven’t experienced in a while. Please read this book at your heart’s own risk.

Beautiful & Heartbreaking. A Little Life killed me, slowly and beautifully.

Amazing. One of the best and most touching books I've ever read

Beautiful and Devastating. While a bit too long for me, this book was gorgeously devastating. Time and time again I had to put it down to regain some composure to push on.

Best Read of my Life.. I’ve never read a book as intimate as this one. Many of the other reviews I’ve read say things such as “Oh my gosh, I finished it in two days!” but there were several moments during it where I had to put it down because of how genuinely uncomfortable I felt. You feel like you shouldn’t be reading this; you feel like you have dived too deep into Jude’s personal life that you shouldn’t be there. When I first started reading the book, I honestly felt as though Jude’s life was just a bit TOO miserable, that it was tacky or made up to create a better story or a better selling to the public. But as I talked to more people and read on further, I realized that many people go through the same things Jude has. And many people, although not on the same level, experience something many of don’t really ever have the need to think about-that life sometimes doesn’t get any better. Although there are many inspirational aspects that you can take out of this book-kindness, trust, empathy, a need for social interaction-in my opinion it was such a great read because you got to do just that: read. And many things that occurred in the book you had to think about, but not in a way that you needed to apply it to your life or reevaluate what the meaning of life really even is or anything even remotely happy or coming-of-age, but just things that you had to process. It punches you in the gut, it makes your head hurt. It’s hard to get through in some areas and that is absolutely the best part of it. It’s one of the most beautiful reads of my entire life. I learned that there is beauty in everything and everyone, but that sometimes life is just so terrible that there is no way to escape the trap of you thinking that could never exist.

Maudlin. This may be the worst book I’ve ever tried to read. The characters were completely not believable. About a third of the way into the book I began skimming over sections only to then completely give up about three fourths of the way through. I don’t understand how this book won any award. I found it suffocatingly boring.

A Little Life. A tough, moving read. I had no idea what I was getting into and at times felt overwhelmed by Jude's terrifying early life experiences. Each time I thought I had reached a threshold of tolerance, Hanya's beautiful and incredibly, unbelievably intelligent writing kept pulling me through this book. I'm am grateful to have read this novel.

Life changes. Very, very well written and powerful book. Also very disturbing to read. I miss the characters. One of those books you want to finish to see what happens, but you do not want to finish because then it will be over.

A Little life. This is the best book I have read in a long time. It is a fascinating story with fascinating characters written so well that you can't put it down. It is a very long book and a stressful story but you just don't want it to end..

best book ever. no book has or ,i’m guessing will ever compare. life altering, might need to emotionally prepare

A Little Life. I am stunned that this verbose and hopelessly unimaginable fantasy was a "finalist" for some award. What a waste of my time and money. The only award that should be passed should go to the author for finding a publisher for this drivel.

Unbelievable. Literally. While I think the author is basically a good writer, the book went on ad nauseum. While anyone experiencing that kind of abuse is to be pitied and allowed leeway, I found myself wondering how he got such an amazing group of caring people. And ALL of them unbelievably successful. Somewhere along the way I wanted him to put me out of his misery.

Tender, insightful but not for everyone. Can’t think of another book that’s had this much massive impact on me as this did. The writing is like magic and super accessible. You don’t even feel the length by the time you finish it. But it can take up a lot of space in your head and needs trigger warnings—I struggle with self-harm and emotional abuse so a lot of this stuff was mildly triggering so if you struggle with that, I’d say proceed with your own risk. Overall, one of the best novels I’ve ever read!

A Gut Punch Masterpiece. Harrowing, beautiful... I never cried, sobbed, so much reading a book. Painful, suspenseful... I found myself unable to turn away, devouring page after page. And then waking up the next morning haunted by passages read the night before that suddenly came into focus. Amazing... I felt my whole view of what it means to live and be alive shift.

Beautiful. I will never forget this book. I have never felt so deeply connected to characters in a book.

Beautiful and depressing. I've never understood what was meant when a novel was described as haunting until I read this. Beautifully written, amazing character development...but, man, am I heartbroken.

A Little Life. What an ironic title to a haunting, powerful book about a sad, tragic life & love story. There's many difficult, but realistic topics: such as sexual abuse & suicide.

Moving. Wow a story that rocks your heart and soul.

Intensely human. Not such a little life. This story had me spell bound as it followed the lives of five main characters. Painful, perverse, loving and sorrowful - I couldn't put it down. There is no happy ending, but the depth of the telling is captivating.

Too much of a painful thing. I persevered and read to the end but really think the novel would have had a greater emotional impact if it had been a few hundred pages shorter. Jade’s early life and all he endured are unquestionably horrific. And I guess the author wants the reader to understand how nearly impossible it is to recover from the kind of abuse that Jude suffers. His later life is almost as extremely positive as his early life was beyond horrible. But nothing - not the love of friends nor the devotion of a new set of adoptive parents can relieve the self loathing that plagues Jude. And I know this is the burden of the abused- victims suffer a lifetime of shame and often pursue all sorts of the various means of self destruction. But for me it seemed the author just drags the reader through page after page of this misery so that I grew weary rather than emotionally moved. I wanted to cry -I love books that move me in a deeply emotional way. But in the end I wished the editing had been more effective- making something longer (over 800 pages) does not necessarily make it better.

It's just not me. I guess it's just me, after all, the critics loved it. I was confused from about page twenty up until I couldn't take it anymore around four hundred and some

an absolute masterpiece. I can truly say that this book has made me feel things that no other book has ever accomplished. The depiction of a character, who felt so incredibly real, their trauma and the ways in which it impacted not only them, but also their loved ones, is something I will never forget. I don’t think I have ever met a character who has meant more to me than Jude. The relationships in this book, the love, the friendship, I truly felt as if I had lived a lifetime while reading. This is a book I will forever cherish and one that has left a profound impact on me. It was devastating and heartbreaking, but also so beautiful and so, so real. I will never be able to fully describe what this book has done for me. All I can say is if you decide to read it, you won’t regret it. A literary masterpiece and an emotional whirlwind. Beware, tissues are mandatory.

Stirring!. A surprisingly emotionally provocative capture of the sad life of a tortured sole. In spite of deep and true love and friendship healing doesn't occur.

a little Life. It is just such a deep, sad read. I’m very glad I did it. It is not a light, beach vacation book. Very well done. It increased my understanding of that person. Why the feelings can’t be healed and steered to self worth. Everything pushing toward hope and it just can’t make it.

Epic. I’ve never read a book quite like this. It took me over completely. I feel I know the characters like my own friends and family. The only author I’ve read who compares is Donna Tartt (Secret History and Goldfinch). This book is one of the most compelling and beautiful books I can remember, but get ready for a very intense ride. It will stay with me always. Wow.

So painful & so beautiful. I don’t think another book has affected me as this one did. In the years since having read it, I’ve been looking for another book to make me feel like this one did. Thee us so much pain & trauma, and yet so much empathy and clarity.

Roller coaster of emotions. I've never been so afraid of a book coming to an end as with this one. Heartbreaking and at the same time so filled with the love that people can show one another as to be uplifting. The writing so beautiful. I rationed my reading at the end so as to to be with the characters, their lives, and the author's words for as long as possible. But despite my efforts, it all ended too soon.

The most extraordinary book. A Little Life is the most extraordinary book I have ever read. Ms. Yanagihara is a virtuosic writer who weaves the fabric of this book with such precision, texture, and heart that at times it leaves you breathless or devastated but also deeply grateful to experience its depth.

Story with lots of ups and downs. Starts off a slow read but ends up being a book you cannot put down. The characters are something you become extremely attached to and the story line is really well written. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a book with intricate characters.

A bit maudlin but a great story nonetheless. At times over the top but beautiful writing and character development.

Not my cup of tea.. Contrived and overbearing. Hard to believe and harder to finish.

A mixed bag, as is life... At times a page turner, other times slow and uneventful. I have never been so surrounded by a world as I was while reading this book. These characters are a part of me and feel like people I used to know.

Heartbreaking. This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. Yes, it will tear out your heart and break it into a million pieces, but it's still worth it to hear this story. This story has helped me appreciate my own life, especially those small quiet bits that bring even a little bit of joy. Jude and his friends will stay with me the rest of my life, and hopefully I can learn to really embrace all the ups and downs our little lives bring us.

This story will stick with me for a long time. I stumbled upon this book title by accidentally (possibly a blog). I decided to buy it because the cover artwork (the man in pain) was distinctly heart wrenching and intriguing. I’m so glad I made the decision to take a leap into this story I don’t want to spoil anything but don’t be put off by the number of pages. The writing is grand but in a way that makes you want to continue the journey. The characters are so full of life and heartbreak and there were many moments where I had to pause and take breaks I’m certain I will come back to this book in a few years because it’s such a great reminder of what it means to have humanity and truly “feel”

Really long and extremely morose. It was hard to read. Can someone really hate himself that much? Not an uplifting book. I had to put it down for two weeks because the main character was so self destructive. Should’ve been way shorter of a story.

Most unpleasant book I have ever read. The creative energy invested in writing A Little Life is worthy of recognition. But the result is not. This is the most unpleasant and valueless book I have ever read. The story could and should have been told with one tenth the ugliness and 60 percent less repetitiveness and redundancy. Not worthy of the awards it has received. Not deserving of your time.

Stunning, soul changing. There aren’t words i could write that would sum up my feelings on this novel. They’d sound too cheap, and would be, also. This book has left a brutal, beautiful mark on my soul. Painful, evocative, raging, haunting, stunning. I studied English literature in college. I’ve read all the so called great novels and classics. This surpasses them, easily so. A page turner, but with very, very heavy subject matter. This book is in a class of it’s own, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to read it. I can’t recommend it more. My god, what a novel. What a novel.

Overwrought misery. Much too long and full of clichés. The misery and pain written about is almost like a dark fairy tale. After reading all the great reviews, I was eager to read this book but was very disappointed. Couldn't wait for it to end and almost gave up reading it but I forced myself to plod through it.