A Little Life - is it a book worth finishing?

[Timeforabiscuit]

I'm up to page 343, and it's been relentless so far, but the latest twist has made me put the whole book in the freezer.

I'm no stranger to this kind of writing, and have enjoyed the Road, Angela's ashes - but those do have a sense of redemptive spirit at the end and were alot shorter! I'm only half way and have run out of tissues and people willing to hug the sad away.

Normally I'd plug on, but I'm at a stage where life is short and books are many!

So Mumsnet, please, is it worth finishing?

I know exactly where you are. I read it for book club and my friend stopped just there. I rang her and said “I know where you stopped”.

It is worth finishing. It’s heartbreaking but I think finishing at that point would do it a dis-service....

No, save yourself whilst you still can. Unrelenting misery-fest start to finish.

Thanks longtalljosie it's excellent writing, but it's the viciousness..

Bringonyourwreckingball if the characters weren't so well drawn I'd have given up on it a while back!

I stopped there too. Glad I did.

I loved it from start to finish.

It's my favourite book ever but it's not an easy read

Thanks for all the feedback, I'll get back into it :)

I've read it curious at the bit you stopped at? Mind you it doesn't get better at all.

Don't bother. Imagine an unhappy ending for everyone and you haven't missed anything.