A LITTLE LIFE

This is one of the most beautifully devastatingly dark, twisted, heartbreaking, nuanced, books I've EVER read. It had me sobbing, it had me warm and tingly inside, it truly is a work of art in every way. I highly recommend this book to anyone in a healthy mental state and who isn't afraid to be emotionally affected.

I went into this book knowing nothing about it, just that I was potentially going to be wrecked by it. I definitely was not disappointed by the story though. It follows four friends growing up in New York together from college age, all the way through their 50's. While there wasn't really a consistent plot to follow, the whole story is kind of steered by the trauma each character is experiencing, but especially that of Jude. Jude is the mysterious one of the group, as the reader, along with his friends, know nothing about his past and upbringing, until later in the story. As relationships develop, and backstories are revealed, the reader and the other main characters become attached to Jude and his well being.

I've seen so many reviews describe this book as "trauma porn", and honestly I think that is such an unfair judgement of this story. In my opinion the amount of devastation experienced by Jude in his childhood and his adulthood alike, and how that trauma affects every aspect of his being, life, and relationships, is a true testament to how life can really play out for some people. Although I've never experienced the terrible things Jude has, as someone who has dealt with mental health issues, I can say that Hanya Yanagihara tackled such a complex issue with such beautifully accurate writing. The ways we follow Jude's intrusive thoughts and feelings really show how life can be for people who deal with these issues. I think reading this as a person with a healthy mental state is such a good exercise in empathy and educating yourself on understanding the darker sides of life that are unfortunately experienced by many.