YMMV / A Little Life

• Angst Aversion: Some readers have put the book down partway through, avoid it entirely based on reputation alone, or even warn others away from it due to its extremely dark and harrowing story, in particular its stark depictions of abuse, rape, self-harm and trauma; there's also an almost complete lack of any bright spots right down to the ending. Even readers who like the book overall generally don't recommend it for people who are sensitive to the subjects it depicts, especially if they're currently not doing so well mentally/emotionally.
• Nightmare Fuel:
  • The depictions of Jude's childhood are often this, especially the scenes in the motel rooms and the car "accident"...
  • Jude burning his olive oil-drenched arm with a matchstick was particularly disturbing, standing out even more than his previous self-harming.
• Tear Jerker:
  • Jude's childhood crosses this and NightmareFuel.
  "He was running to the greenhouse, he was opening the door, the heat and smell of flowers were surrounding him like a cape. It was the last time he had simply been happy, the last time he had known such uncomplicated joy. 'And here's my beautiful boy!' Luke would cry. 'Oh, Jude - I'm so happy to see you.'"
  • Willem's (and to a lesser extent, Malcolm's) death and the fallout.
• Too Bleak, Stopped Caring: The book has received criticism from some readers and critics for being so relentlessly bleak and preoccupied with graphically depicting things like rape and self-harm, it at times feels less like a profound in-depth study of trauma and its long-term effects, and more akin to melodramatic "misery porn". Some readers found that Jude's Trauma Conga Line reached almost farcical levels, particularly as any time things start looking up for him they just get worse again. Considering the novel is over 700 pages long and the constant emphasis on how miserable and traumatised Jude is, some readers understandably find it a slog or give up entirely before the end.
• Unintentionally Unsympathetic: Jude can come across this way to some. While his backstory is nothing short of horrific, his constant angst, and how repetitive and overwhelming his self-harm is, can seem a little excessive at times.

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