A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

“A Little Life” follows the lives of four college friends—Jude St. Francis, Willem Ragnarsson, Malcolm Irvine, and JB Marion—who move to New York City to pursue their ambitions. The novel primarily focuses on Jude, a brilliant but secretive lawyer with a traumatic past that he keeps hidden from his friends. As the narrative spans several decades, it delves deeply into Jude’s life, revealing his struggles with physical and emotional pain, and the impact of his past on his present relationships. The story is a profound exploration of friendship, suffering, survival, and the search for meaning and healing. The novel is known for its intense emotional depth and its unflinching portrayal of trauma and recovery.