A Little Life; Hanya Yanagihara

 A Little Life; Hanya  Yanagihara

Doubleday - March - 2015

When I first decided to read this book, I thought that the cover image was a terrible choice, however, after finishing this 700+ pp book over the course of a few weeks, I now think the image is perfect.  It so accurately depicts the emotional pain, physical pain and trauma experienced by the focus character, Jude, from childhood through adulthood. I loved this book. It is by far, the BEST book I've read in years.

A Little Life, is a novel about a 30 year friendship of 4 male college friends. Jean Baptiste (JB) a self-centered artist, Malcolm, an architect, Willem, a kind, caring man and actor, and Jude, a handsome, brilliant man who entered college at 16. He is now a successful, but deeply troubled attorney.  

Nick-named by his friends, Saint Jude, (Patron Saint of lost causes), Jude's friends really know very little about their friend. He keeps his painful childhood to himself. As an adult he is mostly crippled and, oftentimes he must rely on his wheelchair to get around.  He tells his friends he was in a car accident at the age of 15, but there is much more to that story than is initially revealed. Abandoned as an infant, he never knew anything about his parents, he was in and out of group homes, and he even spent years with monks at a monastery. 

Just when Jude felt there was some adult he could trust, his hopes were crushed by some cruel act by someone who he hoped had cared about him. When he thinks that his situation couldn't get any worst, it does.  His first gift ever was at the age of 5, a fossil which he cherished, given to him by Brother Luke, a monk who would later betray him.

It is difficult to say to much more without revealing spoilers -- there are several reviews out there that give away way too many details, which will spoil the reading experience for others. The story is well paced and I was quickly drawn into the story and into Jude's dark world, and his past and present pain and trauma, which is slowly revealed. Even when he is in a happy situation, he can't stop himself from dwelling on the fact he feels so unworthy of any form of happiness.

Although the story was sad, heartbreaking really, the reader will also see that there is much kindness toward Jude by his friends and others who truly cared about him. Willem, who is guardedly allowed to be part of Jude's life. Harold, a former Harvard Law professor, who wants to adopt Jude as his own son, and Andy, a friend and doctor who is there for Jude when he desperately needed someone to help him. 

A Little Life, cuts deep; it's real and gritty, yet beautiful as well. It's a book that examines, the good, the bad and the ugly people and things in life. It forces the reader to think about the uncomfortable things in life, the life long effects of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and trauma.  It makes you wonder whether, even as adults, with supportive individuals ones side, is it ever possible to free oneself from the trauma of the past?  This book is certainly not a good choice for the faint of heart reader -- individuals who shy away from graphic descriptions of abusive situations in various forms.  This is one of those stories that will stick in my mind forever. I am so very happy I read this book, it makes my less than perfect childhood seem almost normal after reading this book. Hanya Yanagihara is a talented individual. In fact, I just started reading her debut novel, The People in the Trees, which I am also enjoying. 

Thanks to John Pitts, VP from Doubleday for providing me with a finished copy of this book.

5/5 stars

93 - My Name is Mary Sutter; Robin Oliveira

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this amazing debut novel:  My Name is Mary Sutter?  It's a MUST read for historical novel fans.  The novel in rich in Civil War detail. It's a story that follows the life of Mary Sutter and her family, beginning in Albany, NY.  Mary is a midwife, but she longs to be a surgeon, but of course what woman could ever make it as a surgeon, at least not in the 1860's. Mary was denied entrance into the field because of her sex. In fact on the eve of the Civil War her application to Albany Medical School was rejected. However, Mary is not a woman who gives up easily.

As the Civil War begins, Dorthea Dix puts out a call for nurses. Mary decides to leave her family in Albany and head out to Washington, DC, to rise to the challenge.  Her midwife skills became helpful to her, as it isn't long before the war becomes a bloody battlefield, and those providing care for the wounded are ill prepared for the job.  The make shift hospitals lacked proper supplies, personnel and training.  Even though this is a work of fiction it demonstrates just how terrible the conditions were for all involved.

The novel is told in the third person, so I thought  the title, "My Name is Mary Sutter" was a bit odd. Honestly though,  no matter what the title of this novel had been, it's the writing and the story itself that makes it wonderful. It's about family, it's about unrequited loved, it's about the horrors of war, and it's just a fascinating novel in every way.  Mary is a memorable character, and a heroine you will not easily forget.  The author, Robin Oliveria must have spent an incredible amount of time doing research for this book, and that attention to detail shows through and through. There were a few parts that made my stomach feel a bit queasy, but you can skim over that if it bothers you.  I will be looking forward to more books by this talented new author. Be sure to read this one - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

RATING - 5/5 stars

(This book was sent to me free of charge by the publisher).