A Little Life is a gripping read that will push all your boundaries and make you reflect on your friendships and relationships in life. A true emotional rollercoaster, this fiction novel is not for everyone. It is a challenging read that takes the reader through some gut-wrenching drama, but it is a masterful construct by Hanya Yanagihara.
Written in 2015, this book instantly became a bestseller and has garnered great critical acclaim. The book explores human suffering and pushes readers to the limits as it meanders through difficult topics such as self-harm, sexual abuse and childhood trauma. It is profoundly moving and does not wallow purely in the darkness but also explores themes of happiness, justice, true friendship and how the four main characters stick together through difficult times.
A Little Life explores the life of Jude St. Francis and his three best friends. The story follows their relationship and how their lives change through the different chapters of their individual lives. Jude is a charismatic lawyer who suffers from a damaged spine that has assigned him to limp and experience crippling pains in his legs. Not much is known about his past life, but he thrives in his law practice and develops tight friendships with Wilhem, an aspiring actor Malcome, a successful architect, and Jean-Baptiste, who is trying to make a name for himself as a painter.
As Jude's friends begin to find success in their working lives and relationships, Jude falls behind and falls victim to abusive relationships. The story explores his determination to cope with his mental trauma and physical condition and how his friendship is tested time and time again. As Jude discovers more about his past and attempts to overcome his sufferings, readers will be taken on a wild ride that hits home with some deep truths about the darker side of the human condition.
Ultimately, the story is not written to evoke painful memories and take readers on a never-ending spiral of misery. It sets the scene for some of the most powerful gestures and acts of friendship that will have readers appreciating even the smallest acts of kindness.
The subject matter of A Little Life gets quite dark quite quickly, and even people who have read lots of dark fiction will find some of the scenes difficult to stomach. But if you are prepared for some truly heartwrenching and devastating tragedies, then it is highly worth the read, and the conclusion delivers a memorable morale. The book delivers a unique experience, which gives readers plenty to reflect on and possibly change the way they approach friendships and difficulties in life.
The booker has been highly praised all over the world, having been nominated for the National Book Award for Fiction and the Man Booker Prize in 2015. It won the Kirkus Prize in Fiction in 2015, and critics have come to the consensus it is a modern-day classic. The topic and subject matters may not be appropriate for all, and readers should be warned that the novel can be quite graphic and disturbing. But it is well worth the challenging read.
