A Little Life

[imdunkelnistgutmunkeln]

I'd seen great reviews of a Little Life, so bought it a few months ago. Started reading it, but just couldn't get into the story. I think I only read the first few chapters, but couldn't keep track in my mind of the main four characters, who was who etc, and found the writing really boring. It just didn't grab me, and I put it away, something I very rarely do.

For those who have read it, can I ask if you think I should give it another go? Does it get going into a really good story?

I really loved it but I hadn’t read any reviews so wasn’t expecting a fantastic book. From what I’ve read since though I think it’s a bit of a marmite book so if you’re not enjoying it so far, I’d give it to the charity shop and read something you’ll enjoy more

I was fine once I got into it and in the end really enjoyed it. Very memorable and one of the best I've read this year but I do hate going back to something I've started and stopped. Maybe put it out of sight for a year until you decide. I hate looking at something and thinking I would have read it.

I found it a bit misery-lit. Awful things kept piling on more awful things. I wasn't expecting a light hearted romp but it was still all a bit much.

The first time I tried to read it I also gave up and couldn't follow it. Six months later started it again and loved it.....it definitely gets better once you make it passed the first 50 pages or so.

Same here

Have tried to start it 2-3 times and could not get into it

One of the best books I've read. But it's not an easy read, and it's rough and sad and miserable in places. Give it another try at some point, I personally think it's worth it!

I recently re-read it for my book club.

First time round I was gripped from page 1, finished it in days, found myself thinking about the characters for a month after. This time I found it pornographically violent in its detail of [thing I'm not giving spoiler about] and hugely foreshadowing of [thing that happens to principal character]. But the meandering, "easy" writing style still appealed to me.

Thanks everyone! I really do hate giving up on books, and it bugs me every time I see it on the book shelf. I might just leave it a while and give it another go. Interesting that some absolutely loved it and some hated it.

Oops, just read the replies again and no-one hated it! But seems I'm not the only one who couldn't 'get into' it.

Loved it. Didn't mind the awful things that happened to Jude when the writing is as good as it is in this book.

I enjoyed it overall. I loved the first half of the book, where they are hanging out in New York, really enjoyed the characters and reading about their life and the writing style.

Then mid way through it takes a big turn and gets really harrowing. I still found it worth reading and felt invested in the characters, but by god it was depressing. One dreadful thing after another.

At the end I felt really shattered.

The book did stay with me and make me reflect afterwards, but I think the same effect could have been achieved with less awful stuff. It was so sad that it didn't feel plausible in places, and started to feel like there was no hope.

I listened to the audiobook which I absolutely loved. Really one of my top listens ever. There is no way I have enough hours in life to have actually sat and read it.

I liked it, although I quite liked it from the start. Wouldn't bother if it didn't grab you - life's too short.

I wish I could un- read it. What a waste of my life

It took me 3 goes to get into it. I have the hardback with the blurb on the inside so i kept referring back to it to remind me who was who!

That said, once I got into ut ut was unputdownable for me. Its been described as a 'misery memoir', and I can see why but it was tempered by beautiful prose. I nearly cried whem i finished it!

The only criticism I have is how wildy successful all 4 of them turn out to be. Fabulously wealthy and leaders in their field. Bit unrealistic I thought.

Hated it. Torture porn masquerading as literature.

I loved it. But as some say up thread, it’s pretty harrowing and I found myself sobbing away at certain parts!

I loved it! Definitely worth persevering and trying again.
It’s stayed with me since I’ve read it, a long time since I’ve been so emotionally invested in characters.

I loved it. Harrowing but I got into the characters quickly. It's really stayed with me.

I can see why others don't like it. These days I don't persist with books I'm not enjoying - so give it up if you don't like it.

I adored it. It really affected me

I really didn’t like it. The ‘ good ‘ characters were far, far too good and the evil characters utterly evil. Also I found it curiously rootless: no mention of the AIDS epidemic; no mention of the financial crash or 9/11 despite the fact that Jude was working in finance. It is I think a marmite book; you either love it or you hate it. Don’t persist if you’re not loving it.

I hated it. It's a long book and I was really annoyed that I'd spent so much time on it.
My advice would be not to bother.

I hated it. Loved the first 50 pages ish but then misery piled on misery and I gave up. I do not read misery lit. I hated it so much I threw it in the bin rather than give it to a charity shop

It was a strange one for me.

I didn't dislike it, but it somehow got left behind half read and I don't feel like picking it up again.