The most tragic but beautifully written story I have read in a while. From time to time, I find myself picking up a slow book, not looking for an action filled adventure but a slice of life. And while I had some warnings about A Little Life, I was as usual, unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster of Jude St. Francis. Hanya Yanagihara you didn’t just poke my heart gently, you yanked it out, twisted, ripped and stained it in 737 pages.

Before picking this book up, I do highly urge readers to read the trigger warnings - this book covers very heavy topics. But with the unimaginable content, I found loveable characters and an unforgettable story filled with sadness, happiness and so much hope. Overall, a little life.

I love a book where we follow the characters over a long period of time, seeing all of their successes and failures, joys and fears. What I like most about this book is how it jumps around from time lines with rambling like sentences that doesn't need to be included, but adds life to the whole thing. The diversity in characters is beautiful and what we need more of. I enjoyed the build up of Jude's pass and how real the characters are. Not all stories need a happily ever after and as much as it hurt, the ending is one of my favorites. 

This is one of my top reads for 2022 and it's one of the saddest reads as well.


Reread 2024
- I read this when I was 24 or 25 and reading this again as I turn 27 has changed my perspective and I think that is why this book is so beautiful because it grows with you. I can not wait to love and suffer again when I pick this up some time in my 30s, 40s and so on

- There's always a part in the book where I can not put it down. And when this part comes, there is no stopping the tears 

- Rereading this with everything that I know will come does make me see all the little pieces tying up to the ending 

- It still hurts after so long and knowing what will happen