Why you shouldn’t read A Little Life during the pandemic

I think anybody who has ever taken a look at my blog will agree that the two things in life I’m most passionate about are technology and books. So, since this world has turned into a much scarier place than it was this time last year, I have once again taken to my books for some much needed comfort and escape. My friend gave me a book recently and I was very excited to read it so I decided to do so last month. That was one of the worst decisions I had made ever. The book in question was, of course you know since you read the very obvious title, A Little Life by the American writer Hanya Yanagihara.

I am all for reading tragic dramas and I consider myself a somewhat masochist when it comes to these types of stories. But this book broke me. And I’m saying this without having completed it fully. There came a point in the story beyond which I just couldn’t go. It’s brutal and so, so painful. Especially at this point of time when the world is already in a mess. I would strongly advise against reading the book right now. It’s over 700 pages long and I left it somewhere after the 400 mark. Writing wise, it’s pretty good but for the sake of my mental health it’s a big no. Maybe someday when I’m in a better place and the world is calmer I would give it a go again. Not right now.