This is obviously and clearly an extremely popular book that seems to talk to a lot people. Sadly, those people do not include me. It felt too much like misery porn, and not in the way I would normally enjoy. I like seeing characters go through hardships, but at some point it goes from heartwrenching to almost silly. Still, I will continue to have this one on tables & face-out, because it's something readers are enjoying.

“When four graduates from a small Massachusetts college move to New York to make their way, they're broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their centre of gravity. Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. Yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what he fears is a degree of trauma that he'll not only be unable to overcome but that will define his life forever.”
Well, if this doesn’t break you then you’re a hard nut to crack. As the book progresses and you learn more about the characters, they become real, you start to care for them, and Jude? Jude will break your heart in more ways than one. Get it, read it. Thank me after.

A magnum opus - beautifully written and heartbreaking. Everybody who reads this cries, without fail.

Would recommend! With thanks to the publishers.

This book made me ugly cry many times over. This is by no means an easy read, and it deals with almost every kind of abuse you can think of; rape, drug use, emotional, self-harm, suicide. So its a book for a mature audience.

A Little Life is very much a book about the ordinary moments in life and how everything happens to us, no matter how big or small, will have an impact on who we are. It leaves you reflecting on your own life too. The four characters of the novel go from college students to reaching their 50s. I enjoyed the timeline flitting from present to past, and showing the development of the characters.

A Little Life is one of those books that leave you with a massive hangover. A book hangover where all you can do is think about it, and it takes a long time for you to start a new read. There aren't enough words to describe how this book made me feel. I want to recommend this book to everyone I know, and insist that they shouldn't let the length of it intimidate them. Pure brilliance!

Some people are put off reading long books. Personally, I quite like them as I see it as a book that I can really get my teeth into. That said, by the time I am drawing towards the denouement I am usually looking forward to getting on with something new. Which is why I was surprised that when I came to the end of this totally engrossing book I was sad that it had come to an end. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that I feel slightly bereft that this cast of characters are now out of my life.

Within the unassuming cover of this book lies a novel of exquisite intensity. Bearing in mind that I finished reading this a couple of weeks ago and that I have read a couple of other books since, the fact that I am still mulling this book over in my mind speaks volumes concerning what a fantastic novel it actually is.

Each of the characters are flawed but are written with such absolute honesty that they are very easy to engage with. Although this book is about the four college classmates it focuses on Jude, whose previous life is a mystery to his friends and everyone that he knows. His life is gradually explained to the reader and the author presents us with some extremely difficult themes. However, she deals with Jude with such sensitivity and compassion that, as readers, we are able to bear these revelations.

This is an intelligent character driven novel which looks at the true meaning of love and friendship. Written with tenderness, care and compassion, the author has ensured that this a book I will never forget reading.

A Little Life is a beautifully written thriller with amazing about friendship. It is a harrowing and quite gruelling read at times. And at times I realised i was holding my breath! So remember to breathe.

I put off reading this book for a long time because I heard how harrowing it was. And it is. It is also brilliant and consuming. Not for the faint hearted.

Unfortunately, this story wasn't gripping enough for me so I was unable to finish it.

A Little Life was captivating, but challenging to read because of its subject matter. The darkness that surrounds the abuse is harrowing and almost too much to bear. It stays with you for a long time. The four characters are well developed and the bond between them brings them to life.

This seems to be a love it or hate it book. Unfortunately I'm of the hate it side. It is supposed to be about 4 friends, but is mostly about 1, Jude, who had a very sad childhood. It is way too long, and too depressing.