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The opening chapters of A
Little Life introduce you to four talented young men on the cusp of
adulthood – William, JB, Jude, and Malcolm. In these early passages we are given
snippets of their past lives, the roots of some of their insecurities, and a
glimpse of the concerns and preoccupations that they struggle with. There is a
certain focus on the forming of identity and their uncertainty of who they are
and what they want to become. It is clear that they have come through some
difficult times but it is nonetheless jarring when Jude, who remains something
of an enigma throughout, comes to Willem in the middle of the night, bleeding
from a self inflicted wound.
The story then begins to focus in on Jude with Willem the main supporting
character, JB and Malcolm melting away into the background. That night we are
introduced to Andy, Jude’s long-term doctor and friend. Certain recurring
issues make their first appearance in these scenes. One aspect of the novel
deals with responsibility – Andy’s ongoing dilemma as to whether or not he should have Jude committed, Willem’s responsibility to Jude, an unspoken understanding
between the group of friends that he is the one who can help him best, and
Jude’s own responsibility to those who love him, even if beyond his
comprehension.
As the novel progresses we witness flashbacks to Jude’s youth,
slowly revealing the abuse he survived, and giving us an understanding of how
he has been shaped. It borders on frustrating to begin with – his self-deprecation
when he is clearly loved and admired by those who know him. This frustration
quickly evaporates when we come to know what he has been through and how
remarkable he is. We see him struggle to open up to people, to understand that
he can be loved. We also see his desire for control informed by the feeling
that he has never had much, the sense that life is something that happens to
him without him playing an active role. His physical injuries add to this and
he attempts to hide how much he suffers and the potential help he will need as
his condition deteriorates. This need for control in part manifests itself in
his self harm and reluctance to accept help.
Jude’s story is devastating but it is not without its positives. He
is incredibly successful, he inspires great devotion from Willem and Harold,
his once teacher who becomes personally close. In a fascinating interview with Yanagihara in the Guardian she claims this was intentional, that everything is
heightened. Yes, there are many incredibly upsetting scenes and detailed
violence, but this is balanced by an excess of love and success. This
deliberate exaggeration is rare in contemporary novels, but while the novel
holds you in its thrall the technique feels entirely appropriate.
The story of Jude’s endless struggle to cope with life and intimacy,
to attempt to come to terms with what has happened to him, will break your heart
several times over. It is a consuming tale that will stay with you long after
the final page. The characters feel alive and the closeness forced upon the
reader is brutal but important. It does not allow you to look away or expect a
quick fix and this makes it very real. An utterly devastating, brilliant read.
Pick up a copy:
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