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Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life

Hanya YanagiharaFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015

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Book Brief

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Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015
Book Details
Pages

720

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara follows the lives of four college friends in New York City, primarily focusing on Jude St. Francis, a lawyer grappling with a traumatic childhood. As Jude's career prospers, his past continually haunts him, revealing cycles of abuse and self-harm. The narrative explores themes of friendship, suffering, and the impact of past trauma on present life. Topics include sexual abuse and self-harm.

Dark

Emotional

Melancholic

Challenging

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.4

793,006 ratings

83%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Yanagihara's A Little Life is a deeply emotional novel that delves into themes of trauma, friendship, and survival. Readers praised its compelling narrative and complex characters, highlighting its raw emotional depth. However, some found its relentless depiction of suffering overwhelming and its length daunting. Overall, it's a powerful but polarizing read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Little Life?

A reader who would enjoy A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara typically appreciates intense, character-driven narratives and emotional complexity, akin to fans of Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch and Jeffrey Eugenides' The Marriage Plot. This reader seeks deep explorations of friendship, trauma, and resilience.

4.4

793,006 ratings

83%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

720

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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