A note to prospective readers: this book discusses topics of substance abuse, self harm, sexual violence and depression, so read with caution if you may be sensitive to those topics.
“A Little Life” is a 2015 fiction novel by American author Hanya Yanagihara. Set primarily in New York City, the novel follows four college friends as they establish careers and relationships, navigating the challenges of adulthood. The book begins by introducing the four main characters shortly after their time in college.
Jude St. Francis is the novel’s main protagonist. He works as a lawyer for a reputable firm. He is sensitive and reveals very little to his friends about his past. He is physically disabled, suffering from excruciating pain in his legs as a result of an incident in his childhood.
Willem Ragnarsson is an aspiring actor and Jude’s closest friend. He is kind and thoughtful, yet lacks a strong sense of identity.
Malcolm Irvine is a talented and renowned architect from a wealthy family. He struggles with the pressure of both his family’s and his own high expectations, causing him to be insecure and self-conscious.
Jean-Baptiste “JB” Marion is an artist who struggles with addiction. Despite his artistic talent, JB is self-centered and often mean to Jude and his other friends, causing tension within the group.
As the characters grow and age, new challenges and situations are introduced. All four of the friends find great success in their respective fields. Jude’s tragic past is also revealed in various flashbacks interspersed in the main storyline.
“A Little Life” as a whole is an incredibly sad and emotional book. The novel surged in popularity on social media, mainly TikTok, specifically for that reason. However, I think to label this book as purely a tragedy is to overlook the purpose of the novel. While, yes, the book covers many very heavy topics, it also explores the beauty of fulfilling relationships. “A Little Life” depicts how essential human connection is in enduring darkness, contributing to the themes of hope and resilience.
Yanagihara’s use of flashbacks and changing perspective adds insight into the motivations of each of the characters. Her ability to write such complex and flawed characters contributes to the incredible emotional depth of the novel. Yanagihara uses such vivid descriptive language, writing with forensic detail that keeps readers hooked. “A Little Life” has had a lasting impact on me as one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.
“A Little Life” received high critical acclaim from many notable outlets, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal. In 2015, the novel was also a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, the National Book Award and a winner of the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
I find it difficult to recommend this book to others due to the extremely sensitive nature of the content. However, I do think “A Little Life” provides such important insight into the nature of human relationships, trauma, growth, and recovery.
