I can’t summon the me in me to write my thoughts for this book. They were right when they said I will be emotionally wrecked. It doesn’t get better. It’s a dark and horrific book. If you don’t want to go through the emotional roller coaster, then I suggest you don’t pick this book up. Tigger Warnings include suicide, child abuse, child abandonment, child molestation, domestic violence, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse, prostitution, kidnapping, rape, eating disorder, and self-harm among others.
Thank you to Pan McMillian for this review copy.
Four classmates move to New York to make their way in life. The intelligent Jude St. Francis is aspiring to be a lawyer, handsome Willem who wants to be an actor, talented painter JB who wants fame in the art world and Malcolm who wants to be an architect. While the book explores the dynamics of friendship and childhood trauma, Jude serves at the centre of gravity. The story unfolds detailing the past and present life of Jude St. Francis.
The only trick of friendship, I think is to find people who are better than you are – not smarter, not cooler, but kinder and more generous and more forgiving – and appreciate them for what they can teach you, and try to listen to them when they tell you something about yourself, no matter how bad – or good – it might be, and trust them, which is the hardest thing of all. But the best, as well.
Let’s start with the things I loved:
The portrayal of the power of friendship: I loved how Yanagihara conveyed that true friendship means being there through both the good and bad. The story of the four friends, Harold & Julia, Andy & Richard is intricately woven to prove friendship is an act of bravery and display of humanity.
The writing and the prose: Let’s just say that I am words-struck (I just made this up) by Yanagihara’s writing. I loved how the chapters were heavy with emotions. The writing is beautifully wrapped in wisdom. You just can’t help but allow yourself to be moved. I also loved how the author carefully unfolded the story – moving from the past, present, and even to the future. When I first picked this book up, I was scared some parts were going to be flat, but no. The story is layered in such a way that gets the reader fully invested.
Friends to Lovers: I loved Jude and Willem’s relationship so much. It felt like a roller coaster but Jude emptying himself and opening to love gave me so much hope.
Unresolved childhood trauma: Jude’s story showed that when unresolved childhood trauma resurfaces, it can seriously impair adult relationships, happiness, and health.
Things I didn’t like:
Emotionally Draining: I kept flipping the pages hoping that the author will give me some form of CLOSURE - light at the end of the tunnel. Let me tell you how I truly felt – like I was being dragged through the mud and later slapped by the death of my favourite character. I hate books that kill my favourite characters. At a point, I had to close the book and catch my breath because what the fuck is all these series of unfortunate events?
The repetition: Take the repetition out and the story could have been shorter. I mean about a quarter of the book is full of the same event but from different perspectives. We get it! It happened! Move on to the next thing!
Comments