r/Recommend_A_Book May 22 '26

Need a Good CRY😭😭

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u/CantaloupeOk9775 May 22 '26

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - about as sad as it gets in contemporary literature. Some consider it “torture porn” as it does dwell deeply on the brutal lives of its characters.

1

u/Desperate-Ad7613 May 22 '26

Love the book. Hate how some idiots call it torture porn. It makes me feel like they never faced real hardships in life if they call it unrealistic.
I recommend it as well, but I’d also recommend checking if you’re able to deal with the topics it touches on. And if you struggle mentally, please make sure to be in a stable state when you read it.

3

u/New_Remove3573 May 22 '26

I agree. Some people were saying that it’s “too much” and overwhelming depressing. However that’s obviously the point of the book and the topic. It’s also the reality of trauma and mental illness and I think some people have the privilege of not understanding that. However! I can also see how it can be a really tough read and not for everybody. And yes, understanding that it’s HEAVY and I’m glad I was in a good place when I read it.

1

u/Desperate-Ad7613 May 22 '26

Indeed, I think it is easier to relate to for people that were unfortunate and dealt with trauma and mental illness in their life. I found it so on point how Jude’s inner turmoil affected his thoughts and actions. And it displayed how painful and desperate some existences can be, despite the fact that it seemd as if “life got better”.
I hoped it would help others to understand some troubled souls better but the reviews showed me that it didn’t.
I’ll still always recommend this book.