This was a real doozy...

Let's go through some cons, then the pros... This book deals with a lot - and I mean A LOT - of difficult subjects that are not going to be for everyone: self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, substance abuse, sexual abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, just to name a few. While Yanagihara's writing ability is really descriptive, it borderlines on flowery; there were a few sections, especially towards the end of the book, that I felt were a bit repetitive and circular. Similarly, there are some plot points that recur throughout the book. While I do marvel at the ability of Yanagihara to describe in great detail the lives of the primary characters - Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm - there were points where I skimmed paragraphs, purely to make it to the next plot point. These cons are not necessarily bad things, just observations and something for future readers to contemplate before picking up this book. 

That all said, Yanagihara is a masterful writer. Her style of prose is very well-thought out, detailed, and intricate. The sheer scope of the book is a marvel, traveling throughout the majority of the lives of these four characters, through various trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Her ability to give dimension to so much of this novel is something to be praised. With the difficult topics, she still offers powerful themes to reflect on: love, friendship, jealousy, perseverance, justice, fairness, fame, success, family, loss, and many, many more. Jumping forward, backward and sideways through time, one sees the intricacies and delicate balance of life; how cause and effect can be simultaneously one. 

I'm not sure I can whole-heartedly recommend this book, but I will say that Yanagihara's story is something that will remain with you for a long time.