Literary Fiction· United States
A Little Life
by Hanya YanagiharaAggregate Editorial Score38/100
Kirkus Reviews
Published 2015800 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon → About This Book
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 2015. Four college friends build their lives in New York over decades, but the narrative increasingly centres on Jude St. Francis, whose past of unimaginable abuse defines and haunts him. Yanagihara's Booker Prize-shortlisted novel is devastating—a 700-page immersion in trauma and love. Themes of trauma, friendship, abuse run through the work. The book has received recognition from Kirkus Reviews 2015.
Book Details
About the Category
📖 Literary Fiction
Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.
Explore all Literary Fiction books →Country of Origin
🇺🇸 United States
This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from United States →Editorial Assessment
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2015 in United States, it engages with trauma, friendship, abuse, love in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention.
Among its recognitions: Kirkus Reviews 2015. With an editorial score of 38/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
Readers coming to A Little Life for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of trauma, friendship, abuse, love is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at.
Within United States's literary landscape, Hanya Yanagihara occupies a significant position. A Little Life is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Kirkus Reviews
notable · global
201511
Hanya Yanagihara is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.
What to Read Next
literary-fiction
Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
literary-fiction
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
literary-fiction
The Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
literary-fiction
The White Tiger
Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
literary-fiction
The Road
Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
historical-fiction
Wolf Hall
Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular on 50 Best Books
Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides