Celebrating our March book of the Month: A Little Life
As the stage version of A Little Life opens in London, we share an essay from Dua Lipa; the story behind the novel's visceral cover; our comprehensive reading guide and more
Throughout March, we’ve been celebrating our first Book of the Month - Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, an intense and deeply moving exploration of the limits of human endurance and the power of friendship. Garnering a passionate fanbase and receiving rave reviews, the novel has sold millions of copies. Now, as the curtain opens on the theatrical adaptation in London, join us in reading - or re-reading - this powerful novel.
Ecstacy or agony: the story behind the 'visceral' photo on the cover of A Little Life
Peter Hujar’s arresting, ambiguous image on the front of Hanya Yanagihara’s 2015 novel encapsulates the pain and joy of the book. Here, Vanessa Peterson explores how Hanya Yanagihara’s relationship with photography goes much deeper.
Bookerworm Bob on A Little Life: 'I forged a deep personal connection with vulnerable, determined Jude'
In 2022, we spoke to a man who had made it his mission to read every book shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Here, Bob Jackson reflects on the one novel from amongst the hundreds that made a life-changing impact on him.
Dua Lipa on A Little Life: ‘This novel challenged everything I thought I knew about love and friendship’
In this guest post, the award-winning singer-songwriter explains why Hanya Yanagihara’s second novel does exactly what great literature is supposed to do - it makes us think deeply and helps us understand life.
'Reading about someone else’s pain makes you feel less alone’: Sarah Gwonyoma on why the trauma of A Little Life affects readers so deeply
In the midst of a personal loss, writer and book lover Sarah Gwonyoma picked up A Little Life. In this essay, she reveals how the novel allowed her to process her pain, and find pockets of joy amongst the sorrow.
Reading guide: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
If you’re new to A Little Life or have read it and would like to explore it more deeply, here is our comprehensive guide.
Read an extract from A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Hanya Yanigihara’s deft depiction of trauma and friendship becomes a dark examination of the tyranny of memory and the limits of human endurance. Read the opening words from our March Book of the Month on the Booker Prizes website.
What did you think of our March Book of the Month? We’d love to hear about the moments from the book that moved you - let us know in the comments below.
“things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully.”
a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful book.
You do wonder why, if “Peter Hujar’s arresting, ambiguous image on the front of Hanya Yanagihara’s 2015 novel encapsulates the pain and joy of the book”, that they didn’t use it on the UK edition of the book, as shown in the photo of the author who is holding a copy for Booker Prize publicity.