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Cover of A Little Life

Literary

A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara

4.1 out of 5, from 1,064 ratings from Hardcover readers

Four friends move to New York after college and build careers over several decades. The novel gradually narrows to one of them, Jude, whose past he refuses to discuss.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2015
Pace
Slow
Length
Long
Pages
720
Format
Standalone
Borrow free with Libby Compare prices Save to my shelf

Read this if you want a long, immersive, devastating novel about friendship and trauma, and are prepared for it.

Skip this if you are sensitive to graphic abuse and self-harm; it is relentless and very distressing.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Child sexual abuse
  • Sexual assault
  • Self harm
  • Suicide
  • Abuse
  • Mental illness

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Rape
  • Child abuse
  • Pedophilia
  • Physical abuse
  • Domestic abuse
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Emotional abuse

Quick answers about A Little Life

What is A Little Life about?
Four friends move to New York after college and build careers over several decades. The novel gradually narrows to one of them, Jude, whose past he refuses to discuss.
Who should read A Little Life?
Read it if you want a long, immersive, devastating novel about friendship and trauma, and are prepared for it. Skip it if you are sensitive to graphic abuse and self-harm; it is relentless and very distressing.
How long and how fast is A Little Life?
It is a slow-paced, long read of about 720 pages, first published in 2015.
Does A Little Life have content warnings?
Content we flag: Child sexual abuse, Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicide, Abuse, Mental illness.
Can I borrow A Little Life for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Little Life; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after A Little Life?
Readers who liked it often move on to The Goldfinch, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

Where to get it

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