Book Review: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life is disturbing. It deals with topics most of us would rather not even think about--child abuse, self-harm, and domestic abuse. Yet, I loved the book. My eyes were opened through reading about these topics. 

I'd never had an inkling as to why someone might want to cut themselves. A Little Life gave me an idea how such a compulsion could come to rest in a person's life. It also clarified how in the world smart, competent people can allow themselves to be abused in their private lives.

An underlying theme in the book is friendship and the families we choose. A Little Life emphasizes just how important those relationships can be--for emotional health, physical health, and sometimes even for survival. 

We often want to turn away from the ugly facets of our world. But Yanagihara won't allow us to do that. Because turning away is not the answer. The answer, as Yanagihara shows so brilliantly, is to lean in so we can support and assist the ones who desperately need us.

Read the book. It's not pleasant. It's necessary.