Book Review: A Little Life

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Quote: "You won't understand what I mean now, but someday you will: the only trick of friendship, I think, is to find people who are better than you are - not smarter, not cooler, but kinder, and more generous, and more forgiving - and then to appreciate them for what they can teach you, and try to listen to them when they tell you something about yourself, no matter how bad - or good - it might be, and to trust them, which is the hardest thing of all. But the best, as well."

Blurb: When four classmates from a small Massachhussetts college move to New York to make their way, they're broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel painter pursuing fame in the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their centre of gravity. 

Over the decades, their relationship deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. Yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself; by midlife a terrifyingly talented lawyer yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by a degree of trauma that he fears he will not only be unable to overcome - but that will define his life forever. 

In a novel of extraordinary intelligence and heart, Yanagihara has fashioned a masterful depiction of heartbreak, and a dark and haunting examination of the tyranny of experience and memory. 

My Personal Views: I have a soft spot for books that delve deep into meaningful friendships tinged with sadness, so naturally, I was drawn to 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. However, my expectations were swiftly shattered.

Anticipating a poignant narrative filled with emotional depth, I was prepared for a tear-jerker based on other readers' reviews. Yet, despite the undeniable sadness within the story, it leaned more towards being overwhelmingly depressing rather than emotionally moving.

Jude's harrowing journey is undeniably gut-wrenching, yet it sometimes felt like the narrative piled on unnecessary hardships solely for dramatic effect. It felt like all the bad things in the universe happened to Jude only. 

Initially expecting a focus on the profound bond between the four college friends, I found the friendship aspect overshadowed by the intense spotlight on William and Jude. This shift in focus left me yearning for more exploration of their group dynamic.

Adding to the surprise was the book's hefty length of over 700 pages, which caught me off guard. While I understand the author's intention to depict the passage of time and delve deeply into each character's life, I couldn't help but feel that some elements could have been condensed for a more streamlined narrative.

Also, this book left me feeling that what they say is true actually, that, there is nothing you can do to help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. 

Despite my reservations, I must acknowledge Yanagihara's adept storytelling skills. The writing itself was compelling, but ultimately, 'A Little Life' fell short of meeting my expectations, leaving me somewhat disappointed.

Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐/ 5