i read 'A Little Life' and it made me a little sad (no spoiler reading vlog)

so I finally read A Little Life and oof- it broke my heart
main channel: / thejackexperience

[@jack_edwards]

so today we discovered that i have an incredibly ugly crying face

[@jack_in_the_books]

who you calling ugly, punk?

[@Mizt9462]

We feel you jack 😢

[@emmilia2952]

Never trust people with a pretty crying face

[@roselenses5532]

i love this so much lol

[@airasees]

jack vs jack wohooo

[@meganlovejoy550]

“I hope nothing bad happens to Willem.” Me: *deep sigh*

[@fereshte1317]

spoiler alert same! not gonna lie i only lost it when willem died. it hit me like a fucking train bc i absolutely didn't see it coming

[@cecelliiiaaaa]

i let out a very pained laugh

[@meganlovejoy550]

@@fereshte1317 For real!

[@cecelliiiaaaa]

as with 'guys the years were not happy' oh jack

[@girlfrommetro]

@@fereshte1317 so true it really was so unexpected and painful

[@Mizt9462]

The more people say "This is a masterpiece but i dont recommend this book to everyone" the more they will read it lmao.

[@AikiraBeats]

Right and I don't think people are understanding that portion

[@meganlovejoy550]

True. I never recommend it to anyone, I always say it was a great book, but I refuse to recommend it because I do not know your mental state and don’t want to cause someone to read something that will harm them

[@bearbren5926]

But when people say they don't recommend this book, they actually mean it. If I mentioned all the trigger warnings, it'd be a 10 page essay lmao

[@cheesecakelasagna]

@@bearbren5926 I remember discovering this concept album that tackles the life of a dying man with Alzheimer's and every discussion I read has disclaimer about diving into it. And that's the first time I actually listened to people's trigger warning despite my growing keen curiousity about such concept. I just know deep within my current situation is not up for it yet.

[@GalletaGirl]

I do tend to recommend it, it is a heavy and raw book, but I think it is important to see life from the perspective of a person who suffers a very severe trauma. This book opened my eyes to many issues, the biggest being the importance of friendship and the different layers it has.

[@veruhruba2618]

use this as a "Jack looks fine when he cries" button. We stan man crying, thanks for not cutting it out. love you

[@psycherevivedby]

"man crying" ?!... it's just crying lol

[@veruhruba2618]

@@psycherevivedby I wrote that as a response to another video where jack said that he felt bad cause some people were making fun of him crying... it was meant to make him see that most of us do not share this toxic view and that it really is just a normal thing to do, not something to shame people for

[@5airaaaaa]

"stan a man crying" why are you weird. It's just crying whyre you praising people for crying. It's weird both when you applaud and mock people for crying lmao

[@justbeingme7379]

@@5airaaaaa He/She is not praising him for crying but for letting himself feel the emotions and expressing it. Most men bottle up their feelings and rarely cry because they think it makes them look weak

[@5airaaaaa]

@@justbeingme7379 so basically not for crying but for being a mature adult who can process their own emotions without the help of his mother or any present woman in his life? congrats!

[@marlenestein244]

reading a little life is like sitting next to your best friend and watching them fall apart and struggle and not being able to reach out to them, touch their shoulder and tell them that it's going to be okay - jack's face while reading the ending for the first time says it all 🥲

[@chelsey8737]

This is absolutely correct and heartbreak at the same time

[@zoyasaqib8994]

god im tearing up already only from this

[@jelielm.8103]

Which is why the writer is a genius, because that's exactly how people around Jude felt, isn't it? 😕

[@mehakahmad2473]

when jude was talking about how he felt someone would tell him he's a person i was screaming at the book just wishing he could hear me

[@kaligerrish7267]

no because i’m reading it rn and i’m at the happy years, ive never wanted to hold characters more in my life omg

[@SuperEpicNiceGuy]

Me watching you read the ending: "He's doing the bottom lip thing, it's not going well" Next clip: Jack's in tears

[@aimun5255]

Jack: my face is not expressive Also jack: *absolutely losses it in the next clip

[@jildou_m6220]

We actually the same brain

[@molliee5183]

The phrase "everything happens for a reason" can be comforting, but I don’t really agree with the phrase… this book is a perfect example of why. Some people’s lives are riddled with tragedy and I can’t be convinced all of it is for some beautiful poetic reason. Sometimes things really are just awful.

[@beansontoast8819]

Who said the reason has to be good or easy?

[@ZED2.0]

God! I was asking myself what the point was of Caleb and whether anything good would come from it and nothing did. It was all just pointless trauma...

[@bucket6487]

@@beansontoast8819 Why would you be okay with bad things happening to you if the reason was horrible? The whole point in the saying is to bring you comfort, not make it worse lmao

[@aimeemcdonald1581]

Thank you!! I hate that this phrase also suggests some kind of karmic reason for why bad things happen to people... sometimes good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people

[@zoemarie927]

@@ZED2.0 I agree the book is full of trauma for trauma's sake- but at the same time i do think with Caleb the author's intention was to emphasise how really terrible things can happen to vulnerable people like Jude.

[@katesmith4823]

Reading this book as someone who has gone through sexual abuse as a teenager, physical and mental abuse from a parent, and over 10 years of self harm addiction and suicide attempts, I have never read something that I've been able to connect with a character on this level. This book is not trauma porn, it is a beautifully accurate representation of how trauma erodes your mental state, and leaves lasting scares that makes every single relationship you have in your life a challenge. this book will stay with me forever x

[@nemadawkins]

I feel like any response I give will sound insincere and trivial, but I really hope you’re in a better place now. Having personally never gone through anything similar, I can recognise how easy it is to disregard this book and label it ‘unrealistic’ or ‘fanciful’. I guess it’s preferable for some to ignore the truth within the book rather than face up to the evils of this world. Not everything in life comes with a happy ending, but I pray you find and follow the happiness in your life

[@bluesky-gl7xp]

i too struggled with self harm since i was 12, suicidal intentions since around then, severe depression, phisical and mental abuse from my parents (thabkfully never sa) but this book made me feel so fking guilty, like i dont have the right to be sad, bc tgere are people who have it so much worse, it made my depression worse, and when i tried to relate to jude, that voice in the back of my head just kept telling me how entitled i am, that i have no right to relate to someone like him how did you get over that? I love this book, i wish it didnt make me feel so bad tho...

[@techyougo]

Gotta show these to a clockwork reader

[@user-bu2tv6te9n]

Similar situation here and I’m glad someone else said this, maybe this is what I needed to hear to continue reading. I hope your ok and have gotten over your trauma ❤

[@huaiupp]

@katesmith4823 same, same.. still struggling here

[@outcastwriting5823]

The author said she wanted to write about a character who doesn't get better and she's done a stellar job.

[@Freakdori]

Harold's character was so pitiful and well written. He was always there supporting without knowing anything, he witnessed the love and hardships and become part of it.

[@Mizt9462]

He didn't judge Jude. Never. And im crying for him too because he was so kind and compassionate

[@nidhineelesh9765]

Spoiler // . . . . . . . In the end when it's revealed that Harold is just talking to the painting of Willem, i literally fucking broke down (as if i wasn't already crying) but Harold's character was just, so close to my heart and that ending just, just, ahshsjs screams

[@lily6897]

@@nidhineelesh9765 yeah the ending got me really good. I thought I could make it through the whole book without crying, but damn that ending is powerful.

[@jusil7427]

@@nidhineelesh9765 oh my god i didn't catch this? now, i'm broken again

[@camih05]

same i don't remember this@@jusil7427

[@JinxedG]

"I will not recommend this book to anyone, ever" SOLD!

[@chelseafaith6546]

sigh *opens amazon*

[@Anchored1994]

Literally me 😅 . I know you commented a year ago , how was the journey ?

[@StellarSpell]

I read this book over a year ago and I still find myself thinking about Jude from time to time. It rarely ever happens that I care so deeply about a character but damn. And it's weird that when the book ended I didn't end up crying, instead I ended up numb and completely stopped reading books for months. I just couldn't get over it so definitely look up trigger warnings before reading this one!

[@curlymasha]

the same with feeling numb and not reading for months afterwards, couldn't even think about begining a new fiction story and leaving June, Willem and everyone else behind

[@bitchmaghostt8579]

This comment so well described my experience reading and post reading this book.

[@jelielm.8103]

Yeah, same.. I'm not motivated at all to ever read another sad book again

[@flamingaish]

same

[@leodeleuze2436]

This is the only book that made me cry on public transport. It's strangely one of my favourite novels but I'm not sure I'd read it again unless I'm in a very happy place :')

[@meganlovejoy550]

I feel that, I thought of rereading it a few days ago and I asked myself, am I really ready to go through that again?

[@cheesecakelasagna]

I remember discovering this concept album that tackles the life of a dying man with Alzheimer's and every discussion I read has disclaimer about diving into it. And that's the first time I actually listened to people's trigger warning despite my growing keen curiousity about such concept. I just recognize deep within my current situation that I'm not up for it yet.

[@temiarvw1360]

The self sabotage!

[@hwlsgrl]

@@AlexanderBrando i’m going through a breakup and started reading it yesterday i feel like i wouldn’t be able to handle this rn 😭

[@zania4790]

Am I wierd for reading this kinds of books when I'm sad or not mentally well?... I mean I only seldom feel joy...and I'd rather read these kinds of books when I’m in the dumps Idk 😭 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@sienna8434]

i read this whole book on a 10 hour flight and had 4 emotional breakdowns, three crying sessions, and a half hour long span of just staring at the seat in front of me pondering life. this DESTROYED me so badly

[@pigcentralz6211]

You must read really fast because what thebfuck

[@sashhhaa4874]

​@pigcentralz6211 ikr I started reading it on March 10th of this year and I'm only on the happy years now 😅

[@evakate314]

I read this just over a year ago after a friend recommended it to me with NO trigger warnings. When I tell you I sobbed for an hour after finishing it! Like the proper take your breath away, body shaking sobs that were so bad my mum thought something terrible had happened when she saw me lol. But I'm the type of person that listens to sad music when I'm sad so it's no wonder that this is my fav book ever - I even did a piece on it for a uni assignment lol.

[@yahyabinilyas9917]

OMG! Can you share the assignment with us? ❤️

[@evakate314]

@@yahyabinilyas9917 I wrote an epilogue from Willem’s POV as if he could see Jude’s life after his death 🥺 it’s not great but I was still in 1st year when I wrote it

[@rociocastillo6611]

I knew about the trigger warnings but even though I have triggers, I don't get triggered easily so ofc I read it. And I was uncontrollably crying for hours the night I finished this book- my mom also thought something happened lol. I also like to wallow in my sadness and a little life is my all time favorite book lol

[@Emily_23_]

This whole video was absolutely a countdown to Jack’s tears 😭

[@libbycash1725]

literally what I’m waiting for 😂😂

[@MavinReyes]

The Happy Years, for me, is the years where Willem is there to be with Jude in a deeper sense. While Jude have his challenges, he may not realized it, but Willem made those years happy for Jude.

[@6569cris]

I think those years were actually happy. Jude had a life full of shit, and even when he just started to improve Caleb gets into his life and it's like he's again in his 20s. Willem get's into his life and make it better, yes, it's not happiness as we as normal people would expect, full of traumas and stuff, and we get to know the story of Dr Traylor (fucking sad) but comparing those years of his life (until the incident) with the life Jude had before Willem.... they were actually... happy. Jude doesn't gets better and it's difficult to process; but I really like to think that for these moment, only for these moment Jude had a happy and calmed moment in his whole life.

[@sashhhaa4874]

​@6569cris Yes I agree. I haven't finished reading the happy years yet but I'm almost finished and i definitely think that it's called the happy years because it mainly encapsulates his relationship with Willem which may be the first and only time in Jude's life that he was ever actually happy, and so that made me a little happy.

[@burgers6963]

When I look at my bookshelf, I often find myself reading the last chapter of this book again and again. I just loved reading the chapters that were from Harold's POV. And I loved this book. It will always have a place in my heart.

[@charblog]

i do this too! so so beautifully written, and i love how he addresses willem in them

[@bethan2600]

And so I try to be kind to everything I see, and in everything I see I see him. That is one of the most powerful lines I’ve ever read in its context and it totally broke me.

[@pranita5259]

I think Harold's Pov chapters were some of my favourites. I don't remember which chapter it is, though I do remember the page numbers which is 158 and 159, destroyed me.

[@t4ilspun]

hearing jack say "i would never recommend this book to ANYONE because of its amount of triggering content" and remembering that i read this book because my mom recommended it to me while i was in 8th grade has been really eye opening

[@NegativeAccelerate]

When I was 9, my mum recommended me a book called "flowers in the attick". It described the journey of abused underage siblings who fall in love.

[@irgendwoaunid4048]

omg are you guys both okay ? Genuinely asking, hope you’re doing well ❤️

[@franceschioma6385]

Are u guys doing well? I also hope u are fine❤️❤️❤️

[@lulaa123]

And I thought it was bad that my mom gifted me this book when I was a teenager without knowing what it’s about

[@theburninggod]

i aM LAUGHING SO HARD "NOT MY FINAL MOMENTS GEEZ" JACK REALLY TELLING US A LITTLE LIFE ENDED HIM 😭

[@dahliamartinez714]

THANK YOU!! I WAS SEARCHING FOR THIS FCKN COMMENT 😂😂 gold.

[@maryterrietteaseari7414]

I laughed out loud at that bit of the video too 🤣

[@EmilyIsTooFondOfBooks]

"Guys, the years were not happy" omg your voice made me almost cry bc i remember how i felt after finishing that section

[@ginagiordano950]

SO many people complain that there are no historical events or technological and argue it makes them unrealistic. but i completely agree with you that by excluding it it makes it so relatable and modern

[@GoldenWreck]

Exaactly. I've heard people voice this same complaint with 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,' saying there wasn't enough diversity or some shit, as if a narrative can't be beautiful in itself without having to include all the historical contexts with which it takes place. It's sad some people impair their ability to appreciate the beauty in such novels over things that are trivial to the narrative itself.

[@nandid3231]

It’s funny because I never noticed that until I watched this vlog I was so into the characters and their story that I got lost in all those other silly details we don’t really need. And that is amazing for an author to accomplish!

[@klara7068]

*minor spoiler* 05:21 Jack: "I hope that nothing bad happens to Willem." Me: "Oh honey, you got a big storm coming"

[@klara7068]

@@ann-cp4ey I'm sorry, I totally didn't think about that. I'll put a spoiler warning in my comment

[@adelavojtusova2584]

When he said that I went like 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@zozzy9664]

🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲

[@aimeemarie6201]

I literally was about to leave this exact comment, that’s the exact same meme/sound that came into my head hahahah

[@easabela6693]

i was just about to comment the same thing 😭

[@Whodiszzz]

The part towards the end where Jude is devastated and angry and Harold and Julia just bear with him and let him. He waits for them to lose it but they dont and Julia makes him a 2nd sandwich. That i think is my favourite part. I remember putting away the book and running to my mom to hug her. Really hit me

[@Me-ss2gq]

Day 2 of asking Jack to read books recommended by Hozier!!

[@athenaapostolidou8979]

That would be awesome!

[@georgia9092]

YES 👏

[@carly885]

Yes please, love that man

[@marimecenas27]

YES PLEASE

[@shannonmarie9441]

PLEASE

[@GP-jo8gw]

the fact that just watching Jack cry is making me cry is a major red flag. But good thing I don't love myself and am gonna read the book anyway

[@katherinejohns9974]

mood

[@jasminam2814]

Lol

[@leenz8147]

HAHA

[@caitlinadams9547]

how did it go

[@GP-jo8gw]

@@caitlinadams9547 i am not ok

[@random23287]

This title is the understatement of the century

[@kingrodriguez3095]

it's an understatment to even call it as an understatement 😭

[@chloe-xc8jj]

it’s a pun

[@wildemango569]

I always thought the title was a reference to when brother luke told jude in the motel that he should show a little life when he is with the men...

[@elsaberisha6452]

@@wildemango569 yeah it is that, i thought it was also supposed to be mean like understatetement to the book itself but when i was rereading pages and found out brother luke told him that, i have hated the title since.

[@Mizt9462]

Harold and Andy are so underrated. I love them both. They are the Yin and Yang.

[@Xyz-cd3rd]

But at the same time I feel such a lack of understanding and dislike for Andy for not committing Jude

[@Enhafun]

fr

[@castiel940]

I never cry with books. It’s not because I don’t want to, I’d cry if it came to me, but most books don’t make me cry. That being said, A Little Life made me cry for two hours non stop after I finished it. I’d go to wash my face and right after washing it, I’d start crying again. A few months have passed and I still have not recovered

[@Liz-iu5lx]

Me too, but it’s been a year. Still not over it.

[@Kointa]

Me, but only that I didn't cry reading a little life. However, it sent me into a depression phase. Not so great

[@kisskill9438]

Maybe I'm too cold but I didn't cry, yet. I'm taking my time to finish the chapter 3 of the part untitled "Axiom of equality".

[@annagr1322]

@@kisskill9438 i didn't cry until the last ten pages idk those were just the saddest because harold wanted to help jude so badly but he couldn't

[@LastMinuteGuess]

I finished this a week ago and it has to be one of my favorite reads ever. The way it tackles the reality of how abuse and trauma follows you, how it prevents you from making the decisions that will improve your life because of how much it haunts you, how it can make relationships and friendships with other people difficult. No other read was less afraid to show that and I thank the book for it. And honestly anyone who says they gave up on the book because of how difficult it was to read is the greatest example of why people like Jude have had difficulties opening up about their struggles.

[@lilliput112]

I soo agree! Also, think about: it's too much for some people to even read (not talking about someone who has been previously traumatized and triggered whilst reading) - well, imagine living with trauma like that? I have to admit I also hate when people say the book traumatized them - it's like,. no, it's not you who has been traumatized but Jude - did you not pay any attention at all? Personally, as someone who has experienced trauma as well I have to say that I found the book immensely comforting because of its realistic depiction of trauma, and anyone who calls it 'trauma porn' must have led an incredibly privileged life imho.

[@rakel.m6]

@@lilliput112 wow that resonated so much with me. I think people often have trouble realizing who actually "owns" the trauma (even though it may affect them too) and prioritizing their healing... at least in my experience :/

[@lilliput112]

@@rakel.m6 absolutely. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels this way, so thank you so much for your comment!

[@tylerhughes9511]

Beautiful take on the book, the book is insultingly true.. because people have these lives. Dark but beautiful and what a sight nonetheless. To the many people that call this trauma p*rn, I think is just a rejection of reality and minimizing something that’s unfortunately very true

[@13thswimmer]

Jack can you please do a video on how to analyze literature? You pick up such great things in this book that I never noticed and would love to learn how to do the same!

[@VeronicaMartinez-su8xn]

Yessss

[@adrijachakraborty9143]

Yuppppppp

[@bethan2600]

This is my favourite book of all time and I think it always will be. No matter how good your life has been, I think a part of everybody can relate to Jude, he represents the part of yourself you often try to suppress, the scared part, the damaged part.

[@saumyasharma6790]

That is so so true!! I found myself relating to Jude more often than I'd expected. His feelings, his depth of thoughts always felt so comforting and soothing to me.

[@klatskyn]

This book gave me the pleasure of discovering one of the best books I've ever read ... I know it's really haunting, but I can't explain the kind of pure fulfillment I got from it as well. There are things in there that I suppose many would think of as triggers for me, but I found it an amazing experience to relate my stuff against someone else's stuff, written in such a beautiful and honest way. I definitely think people calling it "torture porn" are not engaging with the book in the way it's meant to be engaged with, and I personally would ignore such characterisations about it. It's meaningful and teaches so much about mental health and empathy. Those are tears more than worth shedding.

[@danidandans]

i finished A Little Life a few months ago, and i can honestly say that the very erratic highs and lows expressed throughout Jude's life truly fully encompasses how erratic recovery can be for someone with extreme trauma. At some point while reading A Little LIfe i felt as if Jude had went through quite a lot more than the average person. I can truly relate to a lot that Jude and Willem have struggled with, and I think the vast amount of issues the characters find themselves in provides a outlet for many different readers to find themselves in the characters. This book was exquisitely written and truly tore my heart apart. Jude was a character with so much depth and i admire Hanya's detailed approach to each character's life. I will not be reading this book again any time soon, but i loved the experience, even though it became unbearable to read at some times.

[@Liz-iu5lx]

Ok but finding a community that has read this book is amazing. I read it all alone and it destroyed me, I had no one to talk to about it so I just stared at the wall for four days. Nothing ever did that to me, and oh god, please dont read it without reading the trigger warnings. TRIGGER WARNINGS: sexual abuse, verbal abuse, child abuse, neglect, violence, self harm (in every way), torture, grooming, ptsd, rape, heavy trauma, anxiety, eating disorder, forced prostitution, human trafficking.

[@danni.phantom8184]

Awww! It was so hard watching Jack become progressively distressed at the ending! *virtual hug and head pats*

[@beth6717]

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain Don't carry the world upon your shoulders ❤️

[@ellen6312]

Thanx for making my little beatles heart melt

[@laragreig622]

i haven't even read the book but i started crying when i read this comment whyyyy

[@flamingaish]

pain

[@vihakotak5957]

I'd read the book before I stumbled across the song, and my god, i was always reminiscing abt the book the whole 6ish mins of the song everytime I heard it.

[@carolineswn4]

I realized how closely the song went with the character while reading it…..and it hurt so bad

[@charis8132]

I’m watching this next to my 2 year old sister, and the bit where you were crying she started to watch. She was like “oh no, he’s crying, don’t cry. It’s ok” 🥺😂 But also will be adding this to the list of books I want to get. Thanks for your videos Jack, they always make me happy x

[@howlerfive]

Awwww

[@cedderz]

Whenever I hear the title my mind immediately thinks of “what a sad little life Jane”

[@maetamonxg7718]

I lowkey wonder if that might have been the inspiration for the title

[@kerenmathew4485]

watching this video right after a clockwork reader's vlog about this was really interesting. Hearing two very different perspectives on the same book is really interesting.

[@anaghakangovi7065]

agreed. thing is I agree with the negative things people have to say about this book, but it's still one of my favorites. the sheer immersiveness of it all and the strength of the effect it had on me are enough to make it extraordinary in my eyes

[@erin523]

I thought I was so cool reading this chunky book at 13 just to be traumatised for the next 6 months 🙂

[@ell4736]

oh my god are you okay?

[@slippery-uk7195]

@@ell4736 it’s a book…

[@lamerr2535]

@@slippery-uk7195 let’s not

[@mariedawson1524]

@@lamerr2535 what? It’s a sad little story that people overreact about to get attention. Wipe your tears away and get on with it it’s a stupid story.

[@erin523]

@@ell4736 yes thank you I am now :)

[@diksha7220]

People told me this was a roller coaster of emotions. But no one told me how after few Parts, the roller coaster is just down. It’s just one feeling. ABSOLUTE SADNESS.

[@suprajasridh]

I'm so happy that I read the last 50 pages of this book alone. Nobody deserves to see me unleash a pterodactyl scream while chanelling a waterfall

[@juminidu13]

Hahaha I was planning to finish it during a long train journey and as I'm currently sobbing in my appartment I'm happy I didn't

[@estadoagridulce]

the fact that you read this book just saying: “but i feel it will end bad” 😂 that’s a mood.

[@Mizt9462]

The graphic description of trauma must help us develop deep empathy with the character, this is equivalent to therapy sessions. I agree with Jack, it's not unnecessary....

[@GretaZewe]

I just think it's really awesome that you decided to share your reaction to the final pages, I don't think a lot of people would have the courage to capture and share that vulnerable moment on camera. So thanks for that :)

[@agnese7288]

i got this notification just as i was finishing up my current read. it’s like a reward at this point.

[@rheapramith]

We need more of these, it's so wholesome to see your reactions whilst you are reading.

[@flor8567]

When this book talks about the importance of friendships, true friendships, I feel like it speaks to my soul like very few pieces of media have ever done. It was like I could finally see what I wasn't able to describe before. I was one of those people who read it when it came out and knew nothing about it, literally bought it at the airport for a holiday read! it was one of the stupidest things I've ever done. I talk about this book to my friends because of what I said before, but I do inform them about how hard it is so if they are ever inclined to reading it they know what's up.

[@Emmareads15]

Yeah, THAT part devastated me too. If you can get through A Little Life, you can survive any sad or emotional book now. I found it completely immersive. It just wouldn't leave me, even when I wasn't reading it, it felt like the characters were with me, I even was dreaming about them.

[@ninamarie177]

I started reading A Little Life last September, had to stop in late November because the content was a bit triggering and have just picked it up again as I’m luckily feeling a lot better mentally. I’m halfway through and can’t wait to finish it even though I know that it will probably hurt me a few more times before then.

[@EmDoesNotExist]

Good luck! Finishing it is definitely an achievement but take care yourself!!

[@Its_Kosmicdream]

It took me a year to finish this book its alot seriously

[@GL-kk3jb]

oh god I finished it in 5 days and I say you just read it and get it “over” with, even thought I loved it so so much !!!

[@ninamarie177]

I just finished it an am now crying on a train as I have for the past 100+ pages.

[@GL-kk3jb]

Nina Marie it left me crying for 2 days. I still think about it

[@lionmuesli4321]

Just being your friendly reminder that you don't have to read this. If you feel like you can't handle it, don't! I haven't read it either. There are so many amazing books. This one is a favourite of many but if you feel like you can't handle this it's okay - you're not missing out. Give it a pass, it's okay! Stay safe lovelies^^

[@irgendwoaunid4048]

thank you ! I am very easily triggered and I’m so interested in this book but I watched like 3 videos of people SOBBING after reading it so I think I’m gonna pass 😅

[@franceschioma6385]

Thank you ooo❤️❤️❤️

[@jennabeanz]

thank u❤

[@ellislahtinen7799]

Thank you, I'm almost halfway through it and I don't feel like I can handle what's coming (started reading it without any research or reading the trigger warnings) I think I'm going to stop but I kinda feel like a quitter so reading that helped

[@LaurenAlex31195]

I love books that make me feel intense emotion and this book definitely did that. Afterwards you just gotta admire the art that it is and wonder how words on a page can take you to that kind of place. Took me a few days to shake this book after reading it though.

[@SalamMuhammad-l3c]

You sound tough

[@joe-zu8ui]

I read this on my phone and never realized how long it was untill I saw the book you are holding. Damn. I finished it without getting bored or anything. It is truly an incredibly written book.

[@tulexia8841]

Do you have a superpower or something....I can never read a big book on my phone

[@malvikakashyap2608]

I read ut on my phone too. Some parts on pc tho

[@lucymiller8172]

Jack, i am very happy that you a) filmed yourself reading the end of A Little Life and b) left it in the vlog. It is mind-boggling that we still aren't in a place where everyone can just show their raw emotions whenever they want to. It makes these 20-30 seconds even more powerful than they already are and I thank you not only for your amazing videos but also for sharing these moments with us. Lot's of love from Germany 🇩🇪 💛

[@gutt3rba11]

the pure impact of your words jack is just… incredible. i’ve heard of this book a few times but watching this vlog, oh boy, i’ve never felt so moved by a story that i haven’t read and don’t know of the plot. a little life has been moved to the very top of my tbr thanks to you.

[@Me-ss2gq]

Who else is excited to see Jack's vlogs make a comeback

[@AikiraBeats]

Me I always love it when he does them

[@kabina_prysznicowa]

"guys the years were not happy" me about my teenage years, that were supposed to be the best ones.

[@salmorehoe]

The book doesn't need to focus on plot so heavily because it makes you genuinely care about the characters, you continue to just see them reach happiness and growth.

[@catika505]

There are so many things I dislike about this book and I do agree with the torture porn description, but my main problem is that it sets it self up to be the story of these four young men finding their way in the world, but then abandons that narrative to draw them into the orbit of Jude's suffering and ceases all development of them. I just feel like it was sold as something it wasn't, and when what we were served instead is some of the most horrific abuse I've seen on paper, it's a huge issue to me.

[@fransgreidanus5678]

She did Malcolm dirty. Would love to read more about him or read the story from his pov

[@shroomylala]

Currently reading this book. Im a little past the half mark. So far I had to fight tears in the part we get to read Harolds perspective and you learn more about his past. That was tough for me. I’ve experience anger and frustration at times for many different reasons. Can’t wait to finish it.

[@user-yf6hb8oj7w]

good luck…

[@Liz-iu5lx]

oh honey….

[@booksandbts6217]

oh lord...good luck.

[@shroomylala]

After much procrastination I have finished. Well, it finished me.

[@booksandbts6217]

@@shroomylala understandable. relatable. I'm still trying to recover T_T

[@siren_jane]

Jack on bed with warm light, cozy blanket and sobbing over the book at 13:06 makes my heart melted

[@khanakc9664]

popular opinion: jack's sleepy/tired voice IS REAAAAALLLLLYYY BEAUTIFUL, LIKE OMG I NEED TO HEAR THAT EVERY NIGHT SO I CAN SLEEP PEACEFULLY

[@Embooks03]

I cried as I watched you read the ending, not only because of Jude's finale, but how you reacted to it, ahhhhh I was immediately taken back to when I first read A Little Life and was wrecked all over again

[@StellarSpell]

"I'm gonna vlog my final moments" had me laughing 😂

[@Mizt9462]

Can't get over with A Little Life. Thank you for the honest review. One of the best reaction videos I've ever watched.

[@ABetten86]

I read this book a few years ago, and it was heart breaking.This book made me well up, and I am not a cryer. You grow to like these characters to the point they are your friends as well, and the things they go through braked my heart so many times. Because you want to console your friends and tell them it’s going to be alright, but unable to and that is also what makes this book so heartbreaking.

[@staceycohorst7132]

I also loved how there was really no references to specific events in time. I loved that there was no reference to social media etc. either. It’s really timeless.

[@lara94]

This book is a lot!! I needed several breaks in between reading to process everything that I've read so far and oh dear, the ending crushed me...seeing you cry at the end brings back a lot of emotions I've felt when I read it for the first time! Huge respect for Hanya Yanagihara ❤️ This is one of the book I probably will never read again, because of its intensity, but at the same time its one of the few books that left me with emotions I still feel after years of finishing it!

[@erinlev12]

I have no words to describe the physical anxiety and distress this book causes me, and worst part is I haven't even read it yet (except for the first chapter last year, and that put me in a mental crisis for a week, so I had to stop), but just the thought of reading it and then watching reading vlogs like this and seeing the emotional impact it has had on every single person, is enough to both tempt me to pick it up right away and also stay as far away from it as I possibly can. Because, while I do enjoy being emotionally destroyed by a book, I usually recover within a day or two, but I know, I just know the emotional tidal wave I'm gonna get from reading A Little Life is going to wreck me for years to come. So, for now I am happy to just "read" and experience it vicariously through other people until I am emotionally prepared (and stable enough) to read it myself. Thank you for the vlog, though, Jack. I hope it didn't wreck you too much.

[@mariaclaraortolan]

read it 3 months ago and still think about the characters daily, became my all time favorite book also, i can’t understand how people go through the axiom of equality without sobbing, that part broke me

[@akilasultana2368]

The greatest struggle of reading, other than attention span, is really finding a comfortable position to read the book in

[@converse036]

your crying face genuinely broke my heart i literally said aloud "awww jaaackkk"

[@kmnx7]

new favourite video-those last moments of the books with jack cozy in bed crying

[@amassoffoolsandknaves7539]

For me, reading that last section you vlogged was just reading blurry words. I couldn't stop crying. And for the first time since I was a little child, I sobbed loudly

[@eduardarcc]

I really wish people would post about this book with spoilers! Everybody agrees it's not something you should recommend to friends, so it's very unlikely you know someone else who read it and can talk to about it. 🥺

[@gab2997]

the channel "drinking by my shelf" has a spoiler-filled vlog specifically for people who don't want to read the book!

[@svenjaf335]

Jenna Clarek also has a spoiler-filled review of this book where she explains why it is such a difficult book to read and for whom it could be especially triggering. I feel like her video can give you a good idea of whether you could handle reading this book. (I watched it and decided that, no, I do not want to read it)

[@eduardarcc]

@@svenjaf335 Thanks! I already read it at the beginning of the year, I just really want to hear what people really think about it whitout refrain from spoilers (does this sentence makes sense? English is not my first language)

[@louie3157]

Could you do a tier list of the classics? Or like the penguin essentials? I think that would be cool

[@viviana9258]

I can't believe you've never done a reading vlog before oh my lord we need more of those!!

[@olisal8566]

Don’t get me wrong, this is an amazing book. I couldn’t put it down. But I couldn’t help but feel it was a little too emotionally overwhelming on purpose..

[@JulietteVeronica1201]

Quite honestly I like those books cause they don’t shy away from the pain and trauma people go through. But that’s just my opinion lol.

[@moonathena6850]

After hearing everyone's review, I am scared to read 'A Little Life'. I can't even recover from 'The Song of Achilles'😶

[@beth6717]

A Little Life made me cry sooo much more than SOA 😭 Don't read it unless you're feeling emotionally strong x

[@moonathena6850]

@@beth6717 I cry watching rom-coms........ 😶

[@alexandrak5299]

Please do not read this book without being totally aware of how devastating it is and please read on all the trigger warnings. If you can’t handle song of achilles I recommend not reading this book at all. It is very very dark and devastating and it is definitely a book for the adults and make sure you are emotionally ready because a sad person reading this book would have very very bad results. Please do not feel like you need to read it because there’s tons of other books to read too.

[@moonathena6850]

@@alexandrak5299 I think I will pass this book. I don't have the emotional strength or soundness of mind to read it

[@HalfMyShina]

Oh honey I FEEL you 🥲

[@lunaischiuma2430]

Seeing you cry is THE SADDEST thing I've EVER seen. It's as heartbreaking as the "Marley and me" movie.

[@jimenapajaronsanchez5556]

when you closed the book and just cried, chills went down my body. I think that is exactly what I did when I finished the novel and it is definitely a shared experience for many.

[@lizzy9702]

I cried much while reading this book that the pages got soaked and are all wavy now like from water damage. It put me in a really really bad place and I got triggered immensely. I will definitely never recommend this book to anyone although it has become my favourite book of all time but I'm not sure if I could read this ever again

[@Kointa]

Same

[@vanillasprinkles6248]

ME. TOO.

[@pazidawson2178]

hope you're better

[@mariasominska9924]

“i won’t be recommending it to anyone, ever” proceeds to order it on amazon

[@nateskii]

I remember when I started reading this in March 2020 and finishing it at the beginning of 2021 (mid-January). It broke me into a million pieces way too many times and that's why I try not to recommend the book to my friends unless they're really sure and ready for the triggers. I have so much respect for those who, like Jack, have read and finished it in just under a week. You, guys, are built different!

[@naturenurturestudio]

I finished this book 2 days back and I’m going to cherish it forver❤ everyone talks about how sad this book is (and it definitely is) but to me this book was all about love and hope! Inspite of what happens to Jude throughout his childhood, he still ends up with people who love him so purely and so genuinely. Who give up their time so freely for him. Who always want to help him even though he doesn’t want them to. Getting adopted at 30? finding love? Having a doc who genuinely cares for you? These were the things that stood out to me in the book. How there is always hope in the darkest of places. For me the ending of the book was extremely satisfying because it would have been so cruel to let Jude keep suffering. And it makes me so mad when people say that showing so many details in unnecessary or Jude is exhausting. It clearly shows their privilege and it clearly shows how unaware they are of some very real realities of life.

[@heathercrawford1600]

Your face when you read the final pages….. might as well have been me!!! Totally devastating but what a marvellous book! Wow!

[@evasmits]

10:29 - Omg, I'm probably the only one obsessing over this, but the fact that my favorite booktuber is wearing a t-shirt of my favorite singer is making me so incredibly excited!!! 🤍🤍

[@rawrrrr3466]

A GUY WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO CRY!! MAMA MIA I AM SO ATTRACTED TO HIM RN

[@chromaticdelirium]

A Little Life is my favorite book and I've now read it twice. The second time it made me cry far earlier and way more than the first time around (which is saying something, the first time I sobbed through the last 100 pages and then clutched the book to my chest when I finished and sobbed for another 30 minutes), but I absolutely standby the fact that it is an absolute masterclass in writing and Jude and Willem are maybe the only two characters in literature that I actively miss all the time.

[@venuss18]

im literally obsessed with your videos i’m binging them all help

[@meditationsofawillingheart]

i cried in the middle of my workshift while reading a little life and had to lock myself in the bathroom until i could compose myself. it’s definitely my favorite book of all time though.

[@shravanijadhav5310]

We need a video with spoilers and you talking about everything you liked about the story in it

[@mayavenkatachalam7783]

books ab human realtionships concerning themselves, the world and others are the best types of books and that's why normal people and a little life ( which I have promptly finshed not even like half an hour ago) are my favourite books. you can't escape them. i can't till this gets adapted into a mini-series

[@athenaapostolidou8979]

Me: *having a bad day* Jack: *uploads a video* Me : *clicking on it with the speed of light* * day instantly gets better*

[@moonchild-uh9uc]

god even hearing about this book and its plot again, remembering everything, make me wanna cry. i had 0 idea what this book is about beside the TWs. it's crazy how depression just dont make sense to some people, yet almost every words jude say make so much sense. and i think their friendship is a little.. strained?? from the start. i hated how there's so much unnecessary information until i realize, it IS their life, revolving around these people, and their own overthinking. when we read, we became those characters. although its tiring how hanya uses so many difficult words (for me, as a non-native eng speaker), these words fit anyways.

[@geluy8048]

Just you reading the blurb in the beginning makes me want to cry because I remember reading it and it left a massive scar in my heart 😞

[@thesophieduncan]

this was my favourite book ever, read it in 3 days, its been a year since I read it and I haven't found anything that compares to this book

[@romysuter9642]

same! read it last month in a few days and nothing compares to it

[@Mizt9462]

Nothing compares. I love this book so much...

[@malalonchys]

Same for me, i think i've been in a reading slump since finishing it. (a year long reading slump hahaha)

[@Liz-iu5lx]

@@malalonchys ME TOO! I thought I was the only one, but it’s been a year since I’ve finished this book and I just don’t find books that can compare, or that I really enjoy anymore… Help.

[@psychedforbooks]

kind of late to this discussion but I completely agree! This was the 9th book I read in my life "for fun," I have since read over 70 books and have yet to find anything that even comes close. However, watching fka twigs performance of home with you at maide vale gave me the same feeling that reading a little life did so that's something I guess lol

[@vanillasprinkles6248]

genuinely started tearing up when you referenced “the happy years”. i can’t

[@isabellacambi5667]

I expect, with all my heart, a review with spoilers. I have the utter need of someone to talk about this book or to see someone taking about.