To answer questions about
A Little Life,
please sign up.
Tawny
Tayor, there were a couple of times I had to put the book down and pick up something else because of the horror of what was happening. But I always came back to it and saw it through to the end. If you don't want graphic, this is not the book for you. Having said that, I don't think the book would have been nearly as touching, nor would I have cared so deeply about the characters, without every detail.
Jaclyn
Depends what you're worried about.
Honestly, I don't think it's super graphic in terms of the descriptions of actual abuse. There's a great deal left to the imagination, as Jude cannot really articulate these things to himself in so many words -- so he doesn't articulate them to the reader, either. We see only what he's capable of telling us.
Descriptions of self harm, however, are full of some pretty graphic details.
Everything described in the book is authentic to Jude and how close he's able to get to the details himself. Nothing is included by the writer for shock value, but she doesn't hold back, either.
Honestly, I don't think it's super graphic in terms of the descriptions of actual abuse. There's a great deal left to the imagination, as Jude cannot really articulate these things to himself in so many words -- so he doesn't articulate them to the reader, either. We see only what he's capable of telling us.
Descriptions of self harm, however, are full of some pretty graphic details.
Everything described in the book is authentic to Jude and how close he's able to get to the details himself. Nothing is included by the writer for shock value, but she doesn't hold back, either.
Sawyer Lovett
It was pretty rough in a couple of places, but honestly, I thought that the way that the character's trauma played out emotionally was much harder to read.
Shari Gent
About half way through this book, I nearly put it down with disgust. It seemed to sensationalize the abuse of this young man. I felt like the telling of the details of his experience was superficial- relying on the horror of the events to draw the reader in rather than on the development of character. I found the main character to be hard to believe. If someone had really been through all he had, it is hard to believe that he could have marshalled his energy to be as effective as he was, though his interpersonal relationships were a shambles. I have worked with abused children and they usually are crippled not only emotionally but in their ability to reach the full potential of their talents and intellect. I managed to pick the book up again and was less disappointed with the latter part of the book.
Ananya
I read your question as 'How many giraffe scenes were there?' lol
Lisa
It's incredibly depressing and very difficult to get through. I had to put it down around 51% because I felt physically sick by the severity of abuse the author heaps upon the main character, not just what happens to the character when he's a child, but throughout his adult life. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. I was vested enough to finish the book, but in retrospect, I don't think the plot was at all realistic. If you are at all sensitive to topic of child abuse, and/or self-abuse, I'd give it a pass.
Ann Massaro
It is graphic and one of the truest depictions of what an abusive, in the case of Jude, a severely tortured childhood renders in adult life. The need to be punished, the feeling of never deserving anything good and pushing it away when it comes because the fear of revealing your "true" self is far more frightening. Yes, on a personal level I get this. The weaving of the characters is brilliant. The writing stunning. Added to my favorite books list.
Tall
The most painful parts to me were not the scenes where Jude was being abused, and those are plenty painful, but rather the details of the abuse he inflicts upon himself as a result of his past trauma. He is a fascinating character because of his dark inner life, the demons he deals with who plague him incessantly, and the self-loathing he feels and can't escape, in spite of the love of friends who adore him. This is the closest I've ever come to seeing inside the mind of someone who has suffered such abuse. I don't know how Yanagihara did it, but she did an incredible job. Hard to take? Yes. Painful and yet beautiful. Worth it? Absolutely. I come away with a new understanding of others, and that's what good stories are all about.
Riktorscale
Its not gore, and definitively not porn, and never gratuitous. .Accurate, and I'd say kind of analytical, which is perfectly suited for the character.
I honestly think anyone who reads this book has no option but to grow as a human. Growth isn't easy, it hurts, it can be uncomfortable but it is vital
I honestly think anyone who reads this book has no option but to grow as a human. Growth isn't easy, it hurts, it can be uncomfortable but it is vital
Denise
It's very difficult reading at times. But not gratuitous, imo.
Sharon
Incredibly pointless, gratuitous, endless violence. Rape, beat, cut, rape.
Chris Reich
It's very graphic and needs to be. However, it does get tiresome and the central character is a total narcissist. I get that he's damaged by what people have done to him but he has tremendous resources and chooses not to use them. I have known comparably harmed people who would have loved to have Jude's advantages. Read 2/3 and skip the rest.
St. Gerard Expectant Mothers
It's certainly quite gritty. Graphic in a way that it leaves enough for the reader to imagine the horrific nature of what is going on but not exploitative that it gives a step by step process of the scenario. The fact the author wanted to leave a good punch to the reader works effectively so you can feel the rage and sadness of what is happening to this character and try to understand why he is the way he is.
Lori
Several scenes are hard to get through, but after finishing the book, the parts I remember most vividly are the scenes evoking the beautiful friendships and relationships, which is what the book is all about.
Catherine
Graphic, yes. Titillating or gratuitous, no. What happens to Jude is integral to his character and really, central to the other characters, too.
Nageen
Thank you for this question Taylor, I think my brain does not need to read this content in a book.
Josiane Ochman
Some of the scenes were horrific and I did have to move away and regroup before picking up where I left off but it wasn't lurid or gratuitous in any way. The details were necessary and added immeasurably to the quality of the reading allowing us to immerse ourselves in the nightmarish scenario which is propelled by the narrative and the depth of caring and nurturing given to each character but especially to Jude. This is one of the best books I've read in years. I wouldn't let a few graphic passages deter me from reading it. The sex, if that's what you're concerned about, is never explicit, it's always obliquely referred to. I gave it 5 stars hesitated would have preferred 4 and half simply because the author became a little over indulgent towards the end. She could have shaved off maybe 100 pages without losing the emotional impact although I did enjoy the last few pages immensely.
Atara
The reader learns about the horror of the protagonist's early life mostly in bits and pieces. In that way one comes to understand him and what makes him the way he is. This book is not another David Pelzer story. If you're into the graphics of child abuse, read his story A Child Called It. If, on the other hand, you want to experience a well written story that makes you "feel", read A Little Life.
Noreen
In a couple of places - one in particular - I felt numb and distressed at the same time and exhausted. But that's what makes it so good - and is really important to the telling of the tale. It is such a powerful book and well worth the read -
Gail Nord
I had to read a light thriller at the same time I read this book (something I never do) in order to decompress from the horrors being described in the flashback scenes of Jude's childhood. His own self-abuse was also very difficult to read.
Laura
Well if you want to know how to cut yourself or how to give yourself a stroke along with all the other sordid details so explicitly explained..yes; it is a disgusting book without a good ending for anyone!
Phillis Joy
I had to stop and start with the book because of its disturbing content. I would quit completely than come back to it. Some of the scenes are horrible and it is unbelievable so many different people would mistreat the same person.
Lori Moran
By the last 10 hrs (I listened) and I wanted to find someone who could tell me the rest of the story: I couldn't stand the pain anymore.
Debbie
I found this was horribly graphic..and hard to fathom abuse like this going on for so long!
Sandy Kapp
Really, really horrorific,however, if you can get thru that, the book is an amazing read.
Rachel
I wouldn't say it was graphic but it's heartbreaking in the way it describes the later repercussions of those scenes.
mahi
The book is graphic, to be honest. It does not fully describe the injuries, or the happenings full through, but a lot of times while you're reading, you just imagine the stuff as a reader, you know? However, the author has done a very good job in understanding how much of graphics they want to give, keeping a thin line between disturbing and touching. Also, I personally do not think I would have been so attached to the main character if there was not some graphic content about all that he went through. In conclusion, there should be a warning for people who are too sensitive towards self-harm, injuries, and blood.
Leigh Anne
I just finished this novel a few hours ago. I honestly wish I could go back and never open it. It wasn't the graphic descriptions of sexual assault (though, in my opinion, they were indeed very graphic) It was the hopelessness and the sadness that permeated the entire novel. I would not recommend it to anyone struggling with their own mental health or caring for someone with mental health issues. I found it almost physically painful and I think it will stay with me for a very long time.
Abigail
I was so disturbed by one scene where Jude was being brutalized that I was actually physically scared and my heart was racing. I, like another reader here am at about 50% and the dread I feel is making me doubt whether I really want to continue the book or not. I'm trying to surround myself with more positivity, so do I need these images lingering in my brain, especially when I try to go to sleep? I feel like I invested a lot in this story already but I am not hopeful for a positive ending here.
A
It was not the most graphic book I have ever read but it *was* the most gratuitous, if that makes any sense. The acts of violence were not described in great detail but the self-harm and self-hatred was quite overdone.
grace
It was pretty graphic but I'm sure you'll be fine, it wasn't TOO graphic.
Claire
It is not graphic at all. The most graphic it gets is using the verb “pull-out”. The only reason why I would put down this book was how frustrating Jude was and his personality.
Rad
Repetitious, shallow and never ending descriptions of raping, cutting and minimal logic and rationale from a highly intelligent and supposedly very successful lawyer. Does not make sense.
Sheila
This was the most distressing book I have ever read. I had to stop reading several times and read something else.
Richard Kravitz
I just finished the book. It's graphic, but not really descriptively, more implied as others have said. For me the worst part of the book was where he was being drawn into the horrific sequence of events the constituted what I'd say is the 2nd chapter of his horrific youth. I too thought of stopping, but am glad I continued.
Suzana Luchesi
I've read much worse, Yanagihara is definitely NO R.R. Martin. And most of the explicit whump isn't sexual - that helps.
S
They're not. The content is more implied that described in detail.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more