Let me start by saying this: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is not for the faint of heart. I knew going into it that this book was going to be emotional—I mean, I’d heard the whispers, the warnings, the gasps of readers who’d been deeply affected by it. But even with all that preparation, I was not ready for just how impactful this book would be. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t just tug at your heartstrings; it leaves you reflecting on life long after you’ve turned the last page.
Before I dive into the details, let me give you a fair warning: this book deals with heavy themes. It’s not a light read, and it might not be for everyone. If you’re feeling emotionally vulnerable, you might want to save this one for later.
Now, with that disclaimer out of the way, let me tell you why I absolutely loved this book.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Characters:
- Jude St. Francis – Traumatized, resilient, mysterious, lawyer.
- Willem Ragnarsson – Loyal, kind, aspiring actor, supportive.
- Jean-Baptiste “JB” Marion – Eccentric, ambitious, self-centered, artist.
- Malcolm Irvine – Quiet, determined, architect, wealthy.
- Harold Stein – Mentor, adoptive father, caring, law professor.
- Julia Stein – Nurturing, adoptive mother, warm.
- Andy Contractor – Doctor, friend, frustrated, caring.
- Caleb – Abusive, manipulative, traumatic figure.
- Brother Luke – Dark, predatory, traumatic figure.
- Richard – Filmmaker, successful, friend.
- Lucien Voigt – Colleague, supportive, lawyer.
- Ana – Nun, caring, protective.
- Phạm Tien – Actor, friend of Willem, brief presence.
- Sophie – Malcolm’s girlfriend/wife, supportive.
The Plot: A Slow Burn That Leaves a Lasting Impression
A Little Life follows four friends—Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm—who meet during their freshman year of college and stay close as they navigate adulthood in New York City. The story picks up after they’ve graduated and are trying to make their mark in the world. Jude, the central character, is a lawyer with a mysterious and deeply complex past that unravels slowly throughout the book. Willem is an aspiring actor working at a restaurant while waiting for his big break. JB is an artist with some… let’s say, unique tastes (think unconventional art projects). And Malcolm is an architect who dreams of designing beautiful, livable spaces.
The plot is slow-paced and character-driven, which I personally loved. It’s not about big, dramatic events (though there are plenty of those); it’s about the everyday lives of these four men as they try to find success, happiness, and their place in the world. The setting of New York City plays a huge role in the story, and Yanagihara’s descriptions are so vivid that you can almost smell the city streets and feel the energy of the characters’ lives.
The Characters: Painfully Real and Unforgettable
ince this is a character-driven novel, the characters have to be well-written, and Yanagihara absolutely delivers. Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm are so fully realized that they feel like real people. Even the side characters are fleshed out and three-dimensional, which is no small feat in a book this long.
Jude’s story is the heart of the novel, and it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking. His past is revealed gradually, and each revelation adds depth to his character. Willem, on the other hand, is the kind of friend everyone wishes they had—loyal, kind, and endlessly supportive. JB’s artistic ambitions and quirks add a layer of complexity to the group, and Malcolm’s quiet determination to succeed in architecture is inspiring.
What I loved most about these characters is how real they felt. They’re flawed, they make mistakes, and they struggle with their own challenges, but they also have moments of joy, love, and connection that make the story even more poignant.
The Themes: Heavy but Important
The themes in A Little Life are as profound as the plot. The book explores friendship, love, resilience, and the pursuit of success. Yanagihara doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of life, but she also shows the beauty of human connection and the strength it takes to keep going.
A Little Life vs Mice and Men
As I was reading A Little Life, I couldn’t help but think of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Both books explore themes of friendship, dreams, and the challenges of life. In Of Mice and Men, we follow two farmhands, George and Lennie, as they dream of owning their own land and finding success. Similarly, the characters in A Little Life are chasing their own versions of success, only to find that life doesn’t always go as planned.
Both books are deeply human. They remind us that life is messy, painful, and unpredictable, but it’s also beautiful in its own way.
A Quote from A Little Life
One of my favorite quotes from the book is on page 240, where Willem says:
The only trick of friendship, I think, is to find people who are better than you—not smarter, not cooler, but kinder and more generous and more forgiving—and then to appreciate them for what they can teach you, and to 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.
This quote perfectly encapsulates one of the book’s main themes: the power of friendship and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up.
Hanya Yanagihara is an American writer. She was born in the United States in 1974.
Her family is from Hawaii. She wrote A Little Life, a famous book about friendship and pain.
The book became very popular and was a prize finalist. Yanagihara also works as a magazine editor. Many people love her books because they have deep emotions.
