i literally just finished this book, i shed like 2 tears throughout the whole book until the last 5 pages and i sobbed. this book feels like a fever dream, it was really fucking sad and i also enjoyed it. I don’t think i will ever read it again though.
I’ve read this book two months ago and I think that this characters will be with me forever. In my opinion “A little life” is one of the most beautiful yet devastating book ever written and it’s going to be a classic of our times. I honestly gave it five stars😅
@@MelReads i don’t think i’ll ever be in the right mental headspace to do it likeeee i read the plot description on wikipedia and was still going through it from that alone 😭
Just finished this- I feel my adhd didn’t allow me to full grasp the feelings for this book as is it so long, however the way you went though it was like I was reliving it again - your videos are just perfect!
soooo, yes I took my time to start this book and it left me literally empty. Its sooo emotionally crushing and it sucked me all my thoughts. It took me almost a month to get through it and honestly I think that all the trauma that this book packs its too much, the author could still write an amazing story without some traumatizing topics. And somehow I didnt cry until the last chapters because for the majority of this rollercoster I was too stunned and disturbed to emotionally react.
i totally agree with you!! it messed up my entire week after i finished🫠 and YES! i find myself constantly questioning why she went as far as she did, because this story can absolutely be told without the constant pain and trauma with seemingly no breaks for jude mentally😭
I fully agree with this, definitely feel like I was repressing feelings while reading due to shock value but those last few chapters broke me. Like I couldn’t bottle up anymore.
It's like she took every bad thing that could happen to a person and made it Jude's backstory to the point where it's almost ridiculous. I agree with people who call it trauma porn
I read a little life about a year ago and I still tear up every time I remember some of the parts of the book, and I will be rereading it soon because I felt so emotionally attached to the characters and I miss them sm
This was that book to keep my thoughts off the war in Ukraine, as it was even more sad. I needed the realization that things can be worse. That was my way of coping.(i have family in Ukraine, so it does hit close to home)...
I am surprised by your final assessment, but I understand it. Watching and being a part of the sprint discussions in the creation of this video were eye opening. I think personal life experiences and beliefs greatly shape a person’s outlook on this book - it never really is just the literature with these subject matters. Thank you for the video, Mel! 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️
i definitely think everyone will have a different take/opinion on this book- despite there being overlapping ones- and i think that’s what makes reading and discussing this so interesting! initially i thought i’d rate this either super high or super low, but the more i sat with it, the more i struggled to make a clear decision so a 3 star seemed like a good middle ground and slightly above an average rating🏃🏻♀️
I bought this book after seeing people on TikTok crying after reading it. I thought ok it’s been a while since I’ve cried over a book “how bad can it be” and omg i was sobbing so bad I ended up taking Tylenol for the headaches I got. 😭😭 I don’t regret it tho. This book was so beautifully written. The cover didn’t interest me but the words on the pages, the stories, the heartbreaking memories from Jude’s past. 😭 it was just so sad.
I think what really shocked me about this book when I first read it was how much I resonated with Jude because I know someone who went through similar experiences in rapid fire succession and it’s so unbelievable to those that read it that they tend to ignore the fact that people actually are going through this or went through it, or know someone (like myself) that has faced such brutalization. I thought the book was beautiful. It gave me insight into the life of someone close to me who hinted at being Jude themself and I never looked at life the same way again or my relationships.
a little life it's my favorit book, and THIIISSSS OMG is the BESTTTT reading vlog i've seen for this book, reeally getting the whole book and commenting on the beautiful writing and not only just like viewing it like a sad story like this book it's SOO MUCH MOREEEE, I LOVEEEED IT, i loved hearing your thoughts, thankkkk youuuu!!!!
I read this book last year and everytime I read the last chapter I cry. The book taught me a lot of things, but one line has stuck with me that kind of did change me. 'And so I try to be kind in everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him'
I feel the urge to read it. But I don't wanna get into depression and repetitive sadness during 700 pgs. But the supposed to be good writing and great characters make me wanna buy it suddenly and read it, how it takes place without any hesitation or obstacles.
Watching you read A Little Life and cry at certain parts....I knew exactly where you were in the book. 😢 I tell people it's the best and the worst book I've ever read. Thank you for this vlog
I didn't cry reading this book, just a few tears fell, but I am not sure...I was so traumatized, that the book numbed my emotions, blocking me from crying. I felt so tired after I was done reading it, but it was well worth reading it. 🥺 I think the reason why Hanya created so much trauma, it's because she wanted us to feel exactly how Jude felt, that's what my experience with it is. I felt sadness, happiness, love, and in the end when Jude felt everything was lost, when he was too tired to fight for anything, I really got that "tired" emotion from the book. I really felt Jude's emotions, I am not sure how to put it...am I a psychopath...probably yes!
I read this book a couple of years ago and I would honestly not recommend it to anyone. It took my six weeks to read because it’s so devastating. I definitely agree that everything happening to Jude was too much. Tbh I think I’ve erased most of this book from my brain for my own sanity 😂 Unfortunately Hanya Yanagihara’s writing is beautiful so I’ll be picking up her new release 🤡
I started it on September last year, and finished it on March this year, cause I knew It’d take a huge toll on me if i read it in a week or so. But GIRL! Your vlog had me in tears reminiscing on all the sad stuff that made me cry whilst reading it. And I agree with you on everything! I don’t know whether it’s a good book or a terrible one, or even if it’s worth reading, i think it wholly depends on the person reading it. And it absolutely is a 3 star book, somewhere in the middle, because you cannot disregard the beautiful prose, the attachment you have to every character or even how much you relate to them, like everything the books makes you feel. So, it definitely is a 3 star book. It broke my heart. And i also don’t want to see it or think about it ever again, except maybe vicariously through a third party hhaha
I think I am going to start this tomorrow just because I want to watch this vlog. I was also just holding this book in my hands today debating reading it and this is the first video I see on RUclips. It's a sign.
I love this video so much! I’m currently reading this book and don’t have anyone to discuss it with so everytime I finish a chapter I come here and it’s like a debrief 💜💜
I just saw someone pick this up at target today and sent them a little player even though I haven’t read this (probably never will) but knew how it effected people.
Tbh it's one of my fav books, I love the writing and how real the characters feel. I just finished it a second time and it broke my heart all over again. But thats the point of the book in a way. I suggest that people should watch some Interviews with the author to understand what she was trying to do with this Story. (I am not done with the video btw, but I really like that you take your time to talk about it and also read quotes)
Finally made the time to watch this vlog, and so glad I did I never planned on reading this book but I really wanted to find out how you felt about it and this was eye opening. you really took one for the team because I probably would've dnf not because it wasn't good because of the built up frustration. and not being able to take up for the characters that was getting wronged. so, thank you and glad you made it through. 🏃🏾♀️
I've read it twice 😢 and let me tell you, even knowing what's about to come and happen, it still broke me. No, it shattered me. I've read it 7 years apart, and it's weird how little I forgot about it. I remembered everything, and it made me cry even more than the first time. I don't think any other book will ever make me cry as much as A Little Life did. 😢 it's beautiful but so, so hard. 😢
Am I the only one who thought that one of the most saddest moment of this book was when Brother Luke told Jude he had found him a job, and this sweet absolutely sweet, gentle, smart and beautifully intelligent little boy started to think of a long list of all his wonderfull skills and abilities. He thought of how he could garden, and do so many things... like you could see he thought he was worthy of something .. and this horrible person, in one moment he erased all that worth and told him he could only be good for being used for sex by paedophiles.
Yes, I list that moment as one of the most sorrowful, it made me cry, more so than the overt violence/abuse which ignited more a sense of injustice/anger toward the abusers yet also empathy and a sense of desolation. The pathos of Jude wanting to be in the fields with the flowers (and the pressed flowers in his bible which are far more spiritual/healing to him than the printed fearful/feared religious words that evoke the monastery). Then there is flower-filled Lantern House garden and the bereft hollowness of the place after Willem’s death. Cyclical textuality throughout the novel.
I am utterly fascinated by this book, this phenomenon. I have not read it, but oh my, am I tempted. Yet, I am aware that I really truly ought not. It's a terrible idea for me to even consider it. Anyway, thank you for reading it for us and very kindly putting together this video. Also, since you requested it:😭🤡
Sometimes I think that some people who read this book have been through things like everyone obviously but were maybe a bit more sheltered from it bc of the reactions I see. Like yes the book gets to you and you feel so much towards what’s happening to Jude and what he’s gone through and some people even say the author wrote it to just throw a bunch of jarring events or traumatic things together but I don’t think that was the case. It’s scary and sad but people have gone through things like this and some people never get a break at all and the book portrays that very well which is heartbreaking bc some of us can’t even imagine something like this but even if this one is a work of fiction things like this do occur and as human beings we can’t stand knowing that this could be someone’s truth but the book is worth a read.
This book interested me so much, that I actually started writing a literary study on it. It’s about keeping someone with mental problems alive at all costs and the right to die.
I feel that this book can be incredibly dangerous, which is why I'm so glad you did an actual analysis on it instead of just saying "it's so sad but I'm not going to tell you why". This is an entertaining and informative analysis that answers all my questions and satisfies my curiosity. Thank you for making this!
Bought this book two years ago read a bit. Then put it down, then at the beginning of December i picked it up again and it was lot to handle. This book destroyed me. Jude was my favourite and it broke me what happened to him. I hugged the book so many times crying my poor Jude. Sometimes I yelled "just tell him Jude". "talk to him" it was a literal rollercoaster of a book,one that has one or two nice ups but your mostly screaming.
I'm not emotionally stable enough to read this book so I guess I'll just watch yours deteriorate in this video 😂 I commend you for reading this because I just could NOT
This book wouldn’t make me sad just angry, especially after seeing the authors views on how therapy shouldn’t be telling people to live but die like wtf?! I’ve heard it’s written well but I think the traumas (especially since she didn’t do any research for the really heavy and important ones) were used just for shits and giggles. Author just wants everyone to give up on life and not fight for it so yeh I’m never reading this
Runs to remove from TBR because baby! I am already a fucking cry baby for every damn thing. I don’t think I can handle reading it! I will live through you Mel and probably cry right along with you here
I bought this book and haven’t read it yet. I’m waiting for the right moment I suppose because I have heard how this book leaves you and I can’t do that before exams 😅😅😅😅 but I can’t wait to read it when they are over. I really do want to read it even after watching everyone’s reactions.
i started reading it last fall. i only made it up to page 400 and had to pause my read of it. i hadn’t cried yet but as it started getting heavier, i was also starting to encounter heavy things in my own life and the terminal illness of a loved one. i just absolutely could not in good health continue reading because i knew it was going to mentally hurt me. i don’t have any intent to finish it now which is almost sad because the writing can be so beautiful. i just don’t know why she would put jude through so much and be so gruesome and cruel in her writing towards him. the intense descriptions of his trauma and what happened to him along with just one thing after another… i know that’s a lot like real life but it was unnecessary trauma 🌽 past the beginning of the book
I loved this book. I sobbed reading it. I loved the characters. I actually gasped at the car crash. This book stayed with me for so long. The people were so real for me, that's why I loved it, I think.
I think a book like this brings a lot of information about the reality of trauma mental health self harm and the impact our friends and family can have on that journey it isnt always a happy ending thats the reality and hopefully it makes people take it more seriously thank you so much for this i think i wanna read it❤❤❤❤
To me A Little Life and all the many, many, many books like it are just trauma porn. Which is not to say that people who go through things like this do not have valid experiences, of course they do. For me I feel like day to day of life is generally hard enough for most of us so bathing in the grief of this sub-genre of literary fiction serves no positive purpose. But that’s just me.
I bought just because I read a page and I loved the writing. I'll take as comedy trauma without invalidating people's experiences. Like I'm just gonna pretend the book is extremely tragic for a dark humor purpose.
Hi! As of today 2023, I’m just now discovering this video! (Reading this book 😉) And I hope this isn’t weird, but does anyone know where to get a bookshelf like this? Is it multiple put together? Is it just one!? I love it!!!!
I've tried to read this book several times and just simply couldn't make it through. I got through The Axiom of Equality and was SO emotionally distraught and couldn't stop imagining my own son experiencing these horrors as a young boy that I HAD to put it down. It was all I could talk about and research and I was so anxious and obsessing over it. The parts about depression and isolation and trauma that I could connect with were so beautiful - but overall the reading experience in itself was traumatic for me and I don't like that the book has kind of kiddie-cornered it's way into this space where people can't say there's TOO much trauma in it without feeling like you're doing people whose lives are traumatic a disservice. I just think that there's a way to do it, that isn't so graphic and triggering and this just wasn't it IMO.
as somebody who has experienced trauma, i dont like reading this stuff. it’s upsetting. saying it has too much trauma is a valid criticism! you should b allowed to say that! reading highly triggering content doesn’t make you an ally to traumatised people, its how you treat us that makes a difference. trauma p.rn is not awareness
I really struggled with this book, I’m scared of receiving the wrath of A Little Life lovers but I found Jude just… insufferable. He had such great people who had his back and he never spent a moment appreciating that. I’ve got to say I just emotionally blacked out because there was too much trauma. People have compared this to Betty which I read last month but that book is SO different, and the main character there is just so loveable.. anyways, I think I have it 2.75 ⭐️ simply because the writing was still gorgeous!
I would love to read this book but home girl already has trauma and don’t think this book will do me good emotionally lmaooo:))) that quote at 14:46 makes me want to read it tho! 😊 i don’t want to read it because of hearing about the descriptions of Jude’s trauma because as a girl with trauma, I get reminders sometimes and ldjdjsksks I hope this one doesn’t
Love these types of videos 🥰 you always convince me to pick up something if I haven’t read it yet 😂 But for this book lol I’m gonna pass you got me scared so it’s a big No for me 😂😂 thank you for reading it and sharing your thoughts, Your absolutely the best 💖
I finished a Little life around 7 months and up until now... I can't still move on from the emptiness and the feeling of ky broken soul because of this
I read this book in 3 days, just finished it a few hours ago and I do not recommend it. 😭 I just wanted the story to finish. My biggest problem was the lack of professional mental health help Jude obviously needed, but I feel the author had an aversion to introduce into the story. I'd never read this again, but for the last few days it mentally ruined me in a way I masochistically like a book to do. My therapist will hear about it.
This book made me so mad. The author was so obviously trying to manipulate the reader's emotions and the layers of trauma got so unbelievable that I just got progressively more angry until I ended up skimming the last 100 pages. I closed the book and felt nothing but anger at Hanya for wanting people to read that. Like what does she get out of putting that out into the world? Also I was so confused because everyone touts the book as a deep exploration of friendship, but they are basically not even friends after the first part? And even in the first part we don't really see them be friends, we're just told that they are friends? Idk there was nothing redeeming in this book other than Harold for me. I actively discourage everyone from reading it every chance I get.
*SPOILER* This is my favorite book of all time... It is the most beautifully written, heartbreaking book I have ever read. No book has invoked such strong feelings from me- I have laughed, loved, smiled, raged, and sobbed during this experience. This isn’t an easy read in terms of both literature and content. It took me two months to finish, as I wanted to savor each moment. A lot of people like to label this as trauma porn, but it is so much more meaningful. If you've ever experienced some of these traumas or forms of abuse, I can guarantee you will understand that these are real things that happen to real people- and the realistic struggle on how people cope with it. Or you may know someone who has had the same outcome. To me it is illuminating, I can relate to Jude in some ways and I have so much love for him. There were so many moments where I just wanted to reach out to Jude and comfort him whenever he had his bad thoughts. Though he had to deal with his trauma for years, I’m even more moved by the support system he had for over 30 years or so- Who were so loyal and loving to him, who just wanted to see him get better. This book taught me a lot about family and friendship values that made me happy, knowing that Jude got through more years than he would have if he didn't have that support from them. I fell in love with all of the characters as if they were my own family… This novel surpassed fiction in my head. It has changed my view on the world and people in general, and is extremely valuable to me. It's all written in the most impressive prose. I will never come across another book like this. I have such a strong bond with all the boys and others. It took my breath away, and not a single day goes by without thinking of Jude. Nothing but respect for Hanya Yanagihara.
I swear RUclips is not giving it. I checked your channel at 4 pm and there was no new videos. But now it says it released 8 hours ago... Anyway, just watching this to appreciate crying Mel.
"I liked it but I hated it and it was good but it was terrible" is exactly how I felt too
nothing hurt me and shocked and made me drop the book in shock more than the Caleb thing like I was DEVASTATED
Mel throughout the vlog:😭
Mel by the end of the vlog: 🤡
Me getting as far from this book as possible:🏃♀💨📕
girl, as you should 🫠🏃🏻♀️
i literally just finished this book, i shed like 2 tears throughout the whole book until the last 5 pages and i sobbed. this book feels like a fever dream, it was really fucking sad and i also enjoyed it. I don’t think i will ever read it again though.
I’ve read this book two months ago and I think that this characters will be with me forever. In my opinion “A little life” is one of the most beautiful yet devastating book ever written and it’s going to be a classic of our times. I honestly gave it five stars😅
Oh when you just randomly think about Jude...... Goddamn
It’s been almost 3 years for me and I can still say the same thing. I think about these characters at least once a week
you couldn’t pay me to read this book
and that’s on having a sense of self preservation and self care🫣
@@MelReads i don’t think i’ll ever be in the right mental headspace to do it likeeee i read the plot description on wikipedia and was still going through it from that alone 😭
same.
The crying in the into 😂😂😂 perfect
@@courtneyjasper4429 me too 😢
Just finished this- I feel my adhd didn’t allow me to full grasp the feelings for this book as is it so long, however the way you went though it was like I was reliving it again - your videos are just perfect!
soooo, yes I took my time to start this book and it left me literally empty. Its sooo emotionally crushing and it sucked me all my thoughts. It took me almost a month to get through it and honestly I think that all the trauma that this book packs its too much, the author could still write an amazing story without some traumatizing topics. And somehow I didnt cry until the last chapters because for the majority of this rollercoster I was too stunned and disturbed to emotionally react.
i totally agree with you!! it messed up my entire week after i finished🫠
and YES! i find myself constantly questioning why she went as far as she did, because this story can absolutely be told without the constant pain and trauma with seemingly no breaks for jude mentally😭
I fully agree with this, definitely feel like I was repressing feelings while reading due to shock value but those last few chapters broke me. Like I couldn’t bottle up anymore.
It's like she took every bad thing that could happen to a person and made it Jude's backstory to the point where it's almost ridiculous. I agree with people who call it trauma porn
I’ve reread it twice over two years and I still think about it everyday 🥲
reread it?! twice?! you’re built different 🫠
@@MelReads omg me too 😂😂😂 i just love reading this kind of books.
I read a little life about a year ago and I still tear up every time I remember some of the parts of the book, and I will be rereading it soon because I felt so emotionally attached to the characters and I miss them sm
This was that book to keep my thoughts off the war in Ukraine, as it was even more sad. I needed the realization that things can be worse. That was my way of coping.(i have family in Ukraine, so it does hit close to home)...
I am surprised by your final assessment, but I understand it. Watching and being a part of the sprint discussions in the creation of this video were eye opening. I think personal life experiences and beliefs greatly shape a person’s outlook on this book - it never really is just the literature with these subject matters. Thank you for the video, Mel! 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️
i definitely think everyone will have a different take/opinion on this book- despite there being overlapping ones- and i think that’s what makes reading and discussing this so interesting!
initially i thought i’d rate this either super high or super low, but the more i sat with it, the more i struggled to make a clear decision so a 3 star seemed like a good middle ground and slightly above an average rating🏃🏻♀️
I bought this book after seeing people on TikTok crying after reading it. I thought ok it’s been a while since I’ve cried over a book “how bad can it be” and omg i was sobbing so bad I ended up taking Tylenol for the headaches I got. 😭😭
I don’t regret it tho. This book was so beautifully written. The cover didn’t interest me but the words on the pages, the stories, the heartbreaking memories from Jude’s past. 😭 it was just so sad.
There’s somthing wrong with me I didn’t emotionally effect me once. So very interested to see this! Also your skin is FLAWLESS!
Me too omg
I felt so bad for not feeling anything
Same!
@@cons7305 Don't feel bad. It's trauma porn with good prose and a horrible message
OMG I did not notice the lenght of this video. So crazy and so good. Love the spoilers because now i can set a mood before reading this.
best compliment ever!! i’m glad the time flew by🔥 (i’m always scared of people getting bored lol)
I think what really shocked me about this book when I first read it was how much I resonated with Jude because I know someone who went through similar experiences in rapid fire succession and it’s so unbelievable to those that read it that they tend to ignore the fact that people actually are going through this or went through it, or know someone (like myself) that has faced such brutalization. I thought the book was beautiful. It gave me insight into the life of someone close to me who hinted at being Jude themself and I never looked at life the same way again or my relationships.
a little life it's my favorit book, and THIIISSSS OMG is the BESTTTT reading vlog i've seen for this book, reeally getting the whole book and commenting on the beautiful writing and not only just like viewing it like a sad story like this book it's SOO MUCH MOREEEE, I LOVEEEED IT, i loved hearing your thoughts, thankkkk youuuu!!!!
I love the book sm as well! I think a lot of people dont really get the point of it and so just bash it....
Harold’s letter had me sobbing, I think about it every so often and it just makes me so sad 😢 I do think that technically this book is a masterpiece
I read this book last year and everytime I read the last chapter I cry. The book taught me a lot of things, but one line has stuck with me that kind of did change me. 'And so I try to be kind in everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him'
so glad I can watch this and get all the spoilers without reading this book 😂
glad i could be of service🫡
I feel the urge to read it. But I don't wanna get into depression and repetitive sadness during 700 pgs.
But the supposed to be good writing and great characters make me wanna buy it suddenly and read it, how it takes place without any hesitation or obstacles.
YASS thats why Im here 😭
Watching you reading the end brought back so many feelings for me.....I cried just knowing the words you were reading. 😞
I’m glad it’s spoiler filled, cause I don’t have to read it. I love that you read for perspective and welcome the vulnerability books bring about.
Not the book falling apart being a foreshadow 👀😭
sheesh how many parts are there?
there’s so much character development omg
oh I’m DISGUSTED. brother Luke is a dirty toe. straight up trash, wow.
45:00 nosy vin
Watching you read A Little Life and cry at certain parts....I knew exactly where you were in the book. 😢 I tell people it's the best and the worst book I've ever read. Thank you for this vlog
the way i’ve never cried like this with any book🫠🥲
OMG I JUST FINISHED THIS JUST FEW HOURS AGO AND IM NOT THE SAME ANYMORE TOO, ILL NEVER BE😭
welcome to the club🫠
Thank you for taking one for the team lol. Because I don’t have the will to ever read this book. You are the queen of literary fiction now 👸 💕
anything for y’all🫡 can’t wait to not pick up another lit fic until 2025 (not likely, but the sentiment is there lol)
I didn't cry reading this book, just a few tears fell, but I am not sure...I was so traumatized, that the book numbed my emotions, blocking me from crying. I felt so tired after I was done reading it, but it was well worth reading it. 🥺
I think the reason why Hanya created so much trauma, it's because she wanted us to feel exactly how Jude felt, that's what my experience with it is. I felt sadness, happiness, love, and in the end when Jude felt everything was lost, when he was too tired to fight for anything, I really got that "tired" emotion from the book. I really felt Jude's emotions, I am not sure how to put it...am I a psychopath...probably yes!
you really went through the five stages of grief reading the ending lmao
I’ve been reading this book and everytime I finish a section I watch the part of your video that goes along with it!
Really really appreciate these reading vlogs. I really enjoy your insightful thoughts. Thank you, Mel!!!
I appreciate this video so much. This book wrecked me … finished it a few months ago but can’t stop thinking about it
I hope this is spoilery bc i don't ever plan on reading this book but I wanna know alll the tea 🤩
oh, it very much is🏃🏻♀️
I read this book a couple of years ago and I would honestly not recommend it to anyone. It took my six weeks to read because it’s so devastating. I definitely agree that everything happening to Jude was too much. Tbh I think I’ve erased most of this book from my brain for my own sanity 😂 Unfortunately Hanya Yanagihara’s writing is beautiful so I’ll be picking up her new release 🤡
It was more 😳 than it was 😭 for me but the shock value was intense! And the descriptions oh Lord they were tough
*🏃♀️
i feel like that was me half the time! i didn’t know if i wanted to scream, cry, or throw up as i read from the shock🥲
I started it on September last year, and finished it on March this year, cause I knew It’d take a huge toll on me if i read it in a week or so. But GIRL! Your vlog had me in tears reminiscing on all the sad stuff that made me cry whilst reading it. And I agree with you on everything! I don’t know whether it’s a good book or a terrible one, or even if it’s worth reading, i think it wholly depends on the person reading it. And it absolutely is a 3 star book, somewhere in the middle, because you cannot disregard the beautiful prose, the attachment you have to every character or even how much you relate to them, like everything the books makes you feel. So, it definitely is a 3 star book. It broke my heart. And i also don’t want to see it or think about it ever again, except maybe vicariously through a third party hhaha
Mel, thank you for taking one for the team! We appreciate you, queen!
AHH YESSS IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
💖💖💖
I’m crying just watching you cry and talk about it 😢
I've read the book and there was a Dutch theatre company that did a livestream of the play based on this book. IT WAS 4 HOURS LONG AND IT WAS A RIDE.
I think I am going to start this tomorrow just because I want to watch this vlog. I was also just holding this book in my hands today debating reading it and this is the first video I see on RUclips. It's a sign.
please look up the trigger warnings before!! i think it’s also good that the first 2 parts are not as tough to read so it gives it a good start
I love this video so much! I’m currently reading this book and don’t have anyone to discuss it with so everytime I finish a chapter I come here and it’s like a debrief 💜💜
I just saw someone pick this up at target today and sent them a little player even though I haven’t read this (probably never will) but knew how it effected people.
Tbh it's one of my fav books, I love the writing and how real the characters feel. I just finished it a second time and it broke my heart all over again. But thats the point of the book in a way. I suggest that people should watch some Interviews with the author to understand what she was trying to do with this Story.
(I am not done with the video btw, but I really like that you take your time to talk about it and also read quotes)
Finally made the time to watch this vlog, and so glad I did I never planned on reading this book but I really wanted to find out how you felt about it and this was eye opening. you really took one for the team because I probably would've dnf not because it wasn't good because of the built up frustration. and not being able to take up for the characters that was getting wronged. so, thank you and glad you made it through. 🏃🏾♀️
I've read it twice 😢 and let me tell you, even knowing what's about to come and happen, it still broke me. No, it shattered me. I've read it 7 years apart, and it's weird how little I forgot about it. I remembered everything, and it made me cry even more than the first time. I don't think any other book will ever make me cry as much as A Little Life did. 😢 it's beautiful but so, so hard. 😢
Am I the only one who thought that one of the most saddest moment of this book was when Brother Luke told Jude he had found him a job, and this sweet absolutely sweet, gentle, smart and beautifully intelligent little boy started to think of a long list of all his wonderfull skills and abilities. He thought of how he could garden, and do so many things... like you could see he thought he was worthy of something .. and this horrible person, in one moment he erased all that worth and told him he could only be good for being used for sex by paedophiles.
Yes, I list that moment as one of the most sorrowful, it made me cry, more so than the overt violence/abuse which ignited more a sense of injustice/anger toward the abusers yet also empathy and a sense of desolation. The pathos of Jude wanting to be in the fields with the flowers (and the pressed flowers in his bible which are far more spiritual/healing to him than the printed fearful/feared religious words that evoke the monastery). Then there is flower-filled Lantern House garden and the bereft hollowness of the place after Willem’s death. Cyclical textuality throughout the novel.
its so fun reading this book and then coming back to this video to hear your opinions on the chapter!
Was recommended this from a long ago bookseller. Never read never will. Thrifting it❤
I am utterly fascinated by this book, this phenomenon. I have not read it, but oh my, am I tempted. Yet, I am aware that I really truly ought not. It's a terrible idea for me to even consider it.
Anyway, thank you for reading it for us and very kindly putting together this video.
Also, since you requested it:😭🤡
I somehow teared up just watching this video, I don't think I have the necessary emotional state to get through this book, so thanks for the vlog.
me after watching her talk about the first three sections:
honey, you’ve got a big storm coming
I loved this vlog so much!! 🤡🏃♀️
Sometimes I think that some people who read this book have been through things like everyone obviously but were maybe a bit more sheltered from it bc of the reactions I see. Like yes the book gets to you and you feel so much towards what’s happening to Jude and what he’s gone through and some people even say the author wrote it to just throw a bunch of jarring events or traumatic things together but I don’t think that was the case. It’s scary and sad but people have gone through things like this and some people never get a break at all and the book portrays that very well which is heartbreaking bc some of us can’t even imagine something like this but even if this one is a work of fiction things like this do occur and as human beings we can’t stand knowing that this could be someone’s truth but the book is worth a read.
This book interested me so much, that I actually started writing a literary study on it. It’s about keeping someone with mental problems alive at all costs and the right to die.
I feel that this book can be incredibly dangerous, which is why I'm so glad you did an actual analysis on it instead of just saying "it's so sad but I'm not going to tell you why". This is an entertaining and informative analysis that answers all my questions and satisfies my curiosity. Thank you for making this!
Bought this book two years ago read a bit. Then put it down, then at the beginning of December i picked it up again and it was lot to handle. This book destroyed me. Jude was my favourite and it broke me what happened to him. I hugged the book so many times crying my poor Jude. Sometimes I yelled "just tell him Jude". "talk to him" it was a literal rollercoaster of a book,one that has one or two nice ups but your mostly screaming.
I'm not emotionally stable enough to read this book so I guess I'll just watch yours deteriorate in this video 😂 I commend you for reading this because I just could NOT
save yourself from the pain🏃🏻♀️
This book wouldn’t make me sad just angry, especially after seeing the authors views on how therapy shouldn’t be telling people to live but die like wtf?! I’ve heard it’s written well but I think the traumas (especially since she didn’t do any research for the really heavy and important ones) were used just for shits and giggles. Author just wants everyone to give up on life and not fight for it so yeh I’m never reading this
I don't think I will ever read this book simply because I am not willing to destroy myself
as you should! choose self care🏃🏻♀️
Runs to remove from TBR because baby! I am already a fucking cry baby for every damn thing. I don’t think I can handle reading it! I will live through you Mel and probably cry right along with you here
choose that self care🫡🔥
This is off topic but…. YOUR AURORA WORLD TOUR SWEATER!!!!!! SO TRUE 😍😍😍😍
I bought this book and haven’t read it yet. I’m waiting for the right moment I suppose because I have heard how this book leaves you and I can’t do that before exams 😅😅😅😅 but I can’t wait to read it when they are over. I really do want to read it even after watching everyone’s reactions.
Girl this book still gets me no way you can forget Jude St. Francis. Love this video 🤎🤎🤎
oh, that’s for sure😭
YOU ARE WONDERFUL
i started reading it last fall. i only made it up to page 400 and had to pause my read of it. i hadn’t cried yet but as it started getting heavier, i was also starting to encounter heavy things in my own life and the terminal illness of a loved one. i just absolutely could not in good health continue reading because i knew it was going to mentally hurt me. i don’t have any intent to finish it now which is almost sad because the writing can be so beautiful. i just don’t know why she would put jude through so much and be so gruesome and cruel in her writing towards him. the intense descriptions of his trauma and what happened to him along with just one thing after another… i know that’s a lot like real life but it was unnecessary trauma 🌽 past the beginning of the book
It's been 2 years since i read this, still didn't manage to forget about Jude
Read along to this video truly hits different
I loved this book. I sobbed reading it. I loved the characters. I actually gasped at the car crash. This book stayed with me for so long. The people were so real for me, that's why I loved it, I think.
i only cried at the end but ever since i finished it, i’ve been haunted by it, i think it will stay with me forever
this is clearly my fav book EVER. my fav. EVEEEER
I think a book like this brings a lot of information about the reality of trauma mental health self harm and the impact our friends and family can have on that journey it isnt always a happy ending thats the reality and hopefully it makes people take it more seriously thank you so much for this i think i wanna read it❤❤❤❤
To me A Little Life and all the many, many, many books like it are just trauma porn. Which is not to say that people who go through things like this do not have valid experiences, of course they do. For me I feel like day to day of life is generally hard enough for most of us so bathing in the grief of this sub-genre of literary fiction serves no positive purpose. But that’s just me.
I bought just because I read a page and I loved the writing. I'll take as comedy trauma without invalidating people's experiences. Like I'm just gonna pretend the book is extremely tragic for a dark humor purpose.
What way did you annotate this book. Im going to reread it this year and annotate it further, but it dont know how i want to annotate it yet.
this has been on my tbr for so long, and I keep putting it off cause idk if I'm prepared to endure more pain in my life at the moment 😅
Hi! As of today 2023, I’m just now discovering this video! (Reading this book 😉) And I hope this isn’t weird, but does anyone know where to get a bookshelf like this? Is it multiple put together? Is it just one!? I love it!!!!
I've tried to read this book several times and just simply couldn't make it through. I got through The Axiom of Equality and was SO emotionally distraught and couldn't stop imagining my own son experiencing these horrors as a young boy that I HAD to put it down. It was all I could talk about and research and I was so anxious and obsessing over it.
The parts about depression and isolation and trauma that I could connect with were so beautiful - but overall the reading experience in itself was traumatic for me and I don't like that the book has kind of kiddie-cornered it's way into this space where people can't say there's TOO much trauma in it without feeling like you're doing people whose lives are traumatic a disservice. I just think that there's a way to do it, that isn't so graphic and triggering and this just wasn't it IMO.
as somebody who has experienced trauma, i dont like reading this stuff. it’s upsetting. saying it has too much trauma is a valid criticism! you should b allowed to say that! reading highly triggering content doesn’t make you an ally to traumatised people, its how you treat us that makes a difference. trauma p.rn is not awareness
I really struggled with this book, I’m scared of receiving the wrath of A Little Life lovers but I found Jude just… insufferable. He had such great people who had his back and he never spent a moment appreciating that. I’ve got to say I just emotionally blacked out because there was too much trauma. People have compared this to Betty which I read last month but that book is SO different, and the main character there is just so loveable.. anyways, I think I have it 2.75 ⭐️ simply because the writing was still gorgeous!
Will i ever reread it again? No
But am I glad that I did read it? Definitely
Would I ever recommend it? Never
I've been going Thu it and I've been tying to cry 4 a long time so I might get and read this when I go to Barnes and nobles in a few days
I would love to read this book but home girl already has trauma and don’t think this book will do me good emotionally lmaooo:))) that quote at 14:46 makes me want to read it tho! 😊 i don’t want to read it because of hearing about the descriptions of Jude’s trauma because as a girl with trauma, I get reminders sometimes and ldjdjsksks I hope this one doesn’t
i read this book in just under 2 days and i felt the exact same way about willem and his artistry so his death hit SO HARD
I don’t know if I’m ready for this video
👀🫠
Love these types of videos 🥰 you always convince me to pick up something if I haven’t read it yet 😂
But for this book lol I’m gonna pass you got me scared so it’s a big No for me 😂😂 thank you for reading it and sharing your thoughts, Your absolutely the best 💖
V sitting on the book said "no mom, no more reading this book for you, I don't approve lol 🤣
I finished a Little life around 7 months and up until now... I can't still move on from the emptiness and the feeling of ky broken soul because of this
Reading part three:the vanities rn. Will definitely update 😭😭
🤡😭🏃🏽♀️
I watched this whole video. And I don’t think I will ever read this book. I’ll settle for watching vlogs of other people reading it.
I read this book in 3 days, just finished it a few hours ago and I do not recommend it. 😭 I just wanted the story to finish. My biggest problem was the lack of professional mental health help Jude obviously needed, but I feel the author had an aversion to introduce into the story. I'd never read this again, but for the last few days it mentally ruined me in a way I masochistically like a book to do. My therapist will hear about it.
this is my favourite book and i hate it at the same time
I read A Little Life in January and didn’t cry so I think I’m dead inside 🙃
This book made me so mad. The author was so obviously trying to manipulate the reader's emotions and the layers of trauma got so unbelievable that I just got progressively more angry until I ended up skimming the last 100 pages. I closed the book and felt nothing but anger at Hanya for wanting people to read that. Like what does she get out of putting that out into the world? Also I was so confused because everyone touts the book as a deep exploration of friendship, but they are basically not even friends after the first part? And even in the first part we don't really see them be friends, we're just told that they are friends? Idk there was nothing redeeming in this book other than Harold for me. I actively discourage everyone from reading it every chance I get.
I need the quote at 14:46 tattoed even if i'll never pick up A little Life
it’s literally stunning!!! those little moments of beauty in this book were my fav
Hour long video?!! 😍😍
Should have name it a little life (a lotta reading vlog)
it is officially confirmed: i will never be n a good enough head space to read a book this sad... 🤡
May you share how you annotated this book?:)
*SPOILER*
This is my favorite book of all time... It is the most beautifully written, heartbreaking book I have ever read. No book has invoked such strong feelings from me- I have laughed, loved, smiled, raged, and sobbed during this experience. This isn’t an easy read in terms of both literature and content. It took me two months to finish, as I wanted to savor each moment. A lot of people like to label this as trauma porn, but it is so much more meaningful. If you've ever experienced some of these traumas or forms of abuse, I can guarantee you will understand that these are real things that happen to real people- and the realistic struggle on how people cope with it. Or you may know someone who has had the same outcome. To me it is illuminating, I can relate to Jude in some ways and I have so much love for him. There were so many moments where I just wanted to reach out to Jude and comfort him whenever he had his bad thoughts. Though he had to deal with his trauma for years, I’m even more moved by the support system he had for over 30 years or so- Who were so loyal and loving to him, who just wanted to see him get better. This book taught me a lot about family and friendship values that made me happy, knowing that Jude got through more years than he would have if he didn't have that support from them. I fell in love with all of the characters as if they were my own family… This novel surpassed fiction in my head. It has changed my view on the world and people in general, and is extremely valuable to me. It's all written in the most impressive prose. I will never come across another book like this. I have such a strong bond with all the boys and others. It took my breath away, and not a single day goes by without thinking of Jude. Nothing but respect for Hanya Yanagihara.
I swear RUclips is not giving it.
I checked your channel at 4 pm and there was no new videos.
But now it says it released 8 hours ago...
Anyway, just watching this to appreciate crying Mel.
I was crying with you and I haven’t finished the book. 😢
You are a brave soul ✊🏻
I thought I was the only one that listens to the audible and read the physical book at the same time
i bought this book yesterday should i read it?