When four classmates 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...
When four classmates 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cruel Brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their center of gravity.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.
Reading guide
Why read A Little Life?
Released in 2008, A Little Life sits at an interesting point in literary history, bridging classic sensibilities with more modern narrative techniques.
It sits at the crossroads of Fiction, Classics, and LGBTQ+, making it appealing to readers with varied tastes who enjoy stories that defy easy classification.
Available on Bookble for readers looking to explore Hanya Yanagihara's work and build a focused reading list.
Recommendations
Books like A Little Life
Hanya Yanagihara's other works may not be in the current Bookble catalog yet, but the genre shelves below offer strong alternatives.
Within Fiction, readers who liked A Little Life often gravitate toward A Storm of Swords, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and The Silent Patient — each sharing thematic DNA while offering a different perspective.
When four classmates 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 see...
Who wrote A Little Life?
A Little Life is by Hanya Yanagihara.
What genre is A Little Life?
A Little Life falls within Fiction, Classics, and LGBTQ+. Browse related categories on Bookble to find books with a similar style.
When was A Little Life published?
A Little Life was first published in 2008 by Hanya Yanagihara.
Is A Little Life available as an audiobook or ebook?
A Little Life is listed on Bookble — check the book page for current format availability.
