Is anyone currently reading A Little Life?

[Libre2]

I have just started it, I knew nothing about it at all and am really liking it, but it feels like it's going to be devastating. Anyone else reading it? And sorry, because I know I'm a bit behind on this.

I really want to read it but I'm a little nervous because I hear that it is earth shattering.

I read it a few years ago - it was good but I would never read it again!

I found it a really difficult book to get into and kept putting it down and coming back to it. Then I downloaded the audio book instead and loved it, it’s worth persevering

It's a book that will remain with you for years to come, emotional roller coaster is an understatement .... glad I read it but it haunts me!

It is probably the best book I have ever read.

I think I will read it again - I think now I know what happens I will concentrate on little detail rather than the massive story arc.

time will tell if that’s a good plan!

I read it a couple of years ago. Its brilliant but fucking miserable, the most depressing book I've read in years.

Beautifully written but devastatingly depressing...It will stay with you forever...

I’ve read it twice, when it first came out and again over Christmas. It’s absolutely heartbreaking and as others have said stays with you for years. It’s now an of all time favourite of mine.

having said that, it seems people either love it and are consumed by the story or they hate it and see it as misery porn. No inbetween.

I loved it but it pretty much broke me and I'm a tough cookie! Be prepared to sob, a lot.

I've read it but had to look back on my kindle to check I had - it's ok, I did nt find it that memorable

Its the worst book I have ever read. There's another thread on disappointing books and several posters mention hating this book.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/what_were_reading/4736829-i-just-read-a-terrible-book?page=16&reply=123694733

I absolutely hated it. It's gratuitous child abuse described horrendously graphically and it's RELENTLESS. Literally every adult this boy meets rapes him and it's too, too much. I gave up about 3/4 of the way in because I just couldn't cope with the graphic depictions of sexual abuse and the fact that it happens over and over again without furthering the plot.

I was sceptical about this book. I found it totally implausible how they all had super stellar careers, for a start! And the violence felt gratuitous, and the characterisation was flat.

Yes I agree with @Justputitdown. I think it’s an horrendous book and I object to the gratuitous nature of the level of abuse. Avoid if you are a survivor.

I wasn’t bothered about the gritty subject matter but I found it dull, unrealistic, and very poorly written. No character development whatsoever.

I once read a good review of it that said the book could be boiled down to -

Jude cut himself. ‘I’m sorry Willem,’ he said.

Repeat x100.

Yes, 4 random students share accommodation in NY and all become hugely successful in their fields, enough to afford massive apartments... Also, they remain best friends for many years despite having practically nothing in common.

I loved this book, had no idea what to expect. Very, very bleak though but I do enjoy literary bleakness!
It’s been dramatised for the theatre and the run starts next month in London. I’d love to go.

Hmmmm - ok well that is truly a split field! I will persevere until I can’t!

I'm a sw. My colleague gave it to me on recommendation. I can't be arsed with it. It's weird and smug and dull to start.
Far better abuse survival stories out there.

I'm halfway through right now but might have to put it in the freezer like Joey from Friends with Little Women.