13 Thoughts on To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

[@ms.nutellaninja1749]

I think the open endings of the stories were exactly what Yanagihara was trying to say with the book. At each end, we don't know if the characters will go into their version of "paradise" or if they fail, and go into a miserable life because they made an unchangeable decision (especially Book 1 and 3). Similarly, in real life we somethimes don't know if the grand decisions we make will lead to success or misery - and does that mean we shouldn't try? If the characters hadn't tried to reach their paradise and stayed in their (safe, but kinda miserable) lifes, would they ultimately been happy? Wouldn't they ask themselves their whole lives the 'What if'-question? By leaving it ambigous instead of giving us a clear ending, she emphasizes the uncertainty of the decision, and that it comes with a prize. (I hope it's somewhat understandable what I'm trying to say - English isn't my first language)

[@senortenor]

Wonderful review! You said so many of the things that I was thinking and/or feeling, even though I didn't entirely know how to put together my thoughts on this book.

[@lindsayfabian]

i had a LOT of similar thoughts to you about this book, so watching your review almost felt validating for me. i feel as though so many of the ideas and themes in the book are so genius and fascinating but a lot of it seemed kind of unfinished or not totally fleshed out. i was definitely a bit bummed out about it since i was very highly anticipating this release

[@brookemercer2886]

I don’t think I will ever read this book, but I really enjoyed and appreciated this thoughtful review.

[@RickMacDonnell]

It’s for sure not a “must read” by any means. But thanks for watching anyway!

[@yesi8that]

Thank you for the well thought out analysis. Excellent points.

[@lexicon50505]

This was great and our thoughts are very much aligned. I was about to argue about which is the best of the books, but loved how you came along with my opinion eventually in your video!! Loved to see your character development in this video ;) Yeah the names things is definitely a distraction but I wonder if as readers it helps us grab on to the new characters when the story changes. It helped me identify with the characters, feel I already kind of knew something central about their self (even if the names didn't line up always). HY didn't have to spend too much time building our apathy toward them. In terms of comparing to ALL, I can't say I liked this more. I love ALL. It is one of the books that really pushed me to take reading more seriously. I still am haunted. Although I recognize the flaws, the overly dramatic melodrama, the overdone prose...but there was just something so compelling about the characters and the sense of tragedy and pain. The book was raw but that was what made it great. TO PARADISE was a tighter novel in some ways, more ambitious structurally, and not all of her choices work, but I always appreciate when an author does not go safe after their big hit, even if it doesn't work in the ways you hope.

[@Raulgermont]

In spite of the many Charleses and Davids, etc., etc., and the interminable letter from the Hawaiian father in BookTwo, To Pradise is a stunning achievement. Especially if you live near Washington Square ( like I do): a lot of the narrative becomes truly compelling. A neighborhood novel, so to speak.

[@amyreadingthings3518]

What a great video!! I actually had no intentions of picking up To Paradise but this has 100% changed my mind. I’ve never read A Little Life and in all honestly, I have no desire to (SORRY) but something about the way you’ve described To Paradise has definitely spoken to something in me. Not sure how much I’ll actually *like* the book, but I’m going to go in with an open mind - it definitely sounds like it has some interesting themes to explore. Hope you’re well and happy reading!

[@RickMacDonnell]

Thanks, Amy! I hope you like it, if you end up giving it a go. Clearly it’s not for everyone but I do know many folks who have really enjoyed it. And don’t worry about not reading A Little Life. I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone 😂

[@sandyokey7728]

I would like to read A Little Life this year, and depending on how well I mesh with it, this book may also get read. I like to hear your take on books that I may not find on my own. I’m reading The Girl who slept with god right now after watching your video on it. So thank you for doing these videos!

[@RickMacDonnell]

That’s so great to hear, Sandy! I hope you’re liking The Girl Who Slept With God 😊

[@kendalllao]

Hi Rick, I’m glad I come across your review. I do agree with many points you mentioned, it’s particularly helpful when I’m still trying to make sense of what’ve just finished reading! A Little Life gave me an incredible uplifting feeling even she dragged us through “hell”. There is no doubt those characters have long lasting impact on me. To Paradise somehow reminds me of the concept of reincarnation, which I don’t really even believe in. Energy flow probably is a better explanation. I feel for all the characters and their feverish and passionate lives in some cases. The last chapter is brilliant yet little bit too close to home, which makes me rather uncomfortable and challenged. The style of narration from letters are very interesting, and I’m not fully on board yet. Without a doubt, she is a phenomenal writer and her ability to take us on these unique experiences is rare. I’m glad I read this book and your review. Keep it up!

[@Flopinator-gc8sg]

I LOVED A Little Life(and hated it for how intoxicated it made me, if that makes sense) so I preordered this book many months before, and I am so excited to delve into it when I have more time.

[@RickMacDonnell]

This is the quintessential ALL reaction 😂

[@pbear49]

That's probably a good way to describe it. I was emotionally exhausted when I finished it. I loved it,, it's impact was unbelievable for me.

[@bookofdust]

I’m only 1/3 of the way through book three, but listening to you here I wonder what the experiences of reading this book would be it in a 3-2-1 order and if that would make it more satisfying?

[@RickMacDonnell]

Oooh, that’s fascinating! I think it could easily be done. The books very much work in isolation, so jostling them wouldn’t be too jarring.

[@humanfirst11]

Thanks for the review, trying like the way you make it point wise, easier to follow your thoughts. A recommendation for future review : The Morningstar by Karl Ove Knausgaard.

[@AJ_Dunn]

I loved _A Little Life_ and I DID enjoy reading it. It was a great book. I loved the trauma. I wanted more of it. I think it's unfair Yanigahara's books to be compared to one another. I'm Reading _The People in the Trees_ in March and have zero expectations for it.

[@RickMacDonnell]

AJ how in the world could you have wanted more trauma in that book **blinking.gif**

[@AJ_Dunn]

@@RickMacDonnell I live for that sh*t.

[@lindysmagpiereads]

I had rewarding experiences with her earlier books, and I enjoy open endings and “what if?” scenarios so I will definitely give this a try. Thanks for this review.

[@RickMacDonnell]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@sarahno899]

I just got my copy and I can't wait to read it and come back to watch this! Out of curiosity, have you read her debut The People in the Trees?

[@RickMacDonnell]

I haven’t yet. I was not emotionally prepared for it after A Little Life 😂

[@sarahno899]

@@RickMacDonnell I get that haha! It took me like 2 years after reading A Little Life to pick it up

[@LarryHasOpinions]

i agree that they're very different books and i really loved both for very different reasons, interesting to hear everybody's perspectives and experiences :-)

[@BobTheBookerer]

I loved this! Spot on about the ‘what if?’ aspects of the novel. As much as I got a bit into the idea of trying to find parallels and threads between the three books, I think you’re right that the book is a bit more speculative in terms of just trying to pose big questions about how things could be different. I’m still baffled that ‘New Britain’ was the place people wanted to go to in 2093. Looking at Old Britain 2022, this does not feel right 😂 Book 3 took me a while to get into, but the final half of it completely sold me. But yeah, the fragmentary nature was a bit unsettling at first- I kind of liked that they weren’t fully finished to suggest that we’d be coming back to it in the next book, but I do think a tiny bit more in each book might have felt more fulfilling.

[@RickMacDonnell]

I agree: I think all three books would have benefited with a bit more length, but at a certain point they become too long. So I get her choice in a way. Book 1 could have been a 700 page book all on its own, I think (and honestly would have preferred that!)

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@RickMacDonnell Ooh, I’m now imagining a world where this was a trilogy of longer books, and I think I’d enjoy that. The first book was so good and I definitely wanted more!

[@theattentionist]

I could imagine Book 1 being adapted into a satisfying larger budget film. The four main characters, including Grandfather, were especially well drawn.

[@assiakessai]

There no one could understand yahagihara mind like you , I will absolutely rewatch your review and taking notes so can used them as a guide when I read to paradise by the way iam doing a philosophical existential rereading of a little life to understand the book from a philosophy lenses and after rereading to first part of it I've found a lot of existential crisis any human being can face in life life absurdism , synism, nihilism and so on and about to paradise I do think its have a philosophical corner stone like the idea of endless recurrence of history

[@RickMacDonnell]

Sorry for the laaaaate reply but thank you so much for such a kind comment 😊 I’m fascinated by the idea of taking a philosophical view of A Little Life. Sounds like quite an undertaking but I’m sure there is so much ground to cover.

[@assiakessai]

@@RickMacDonnell I found that the most corner stone idea the book based on is what call in philosophy absurdism when the person lost his or her passion in living and mostly giving up on life and that the full opposite of the idea of amor fati in Nietzsche philosophy when he said that we must accept and say yes to life no matter what happened and that makes me ask my self what if jude embrace the idea of amor fati what would happen to him if he had reverence and faith in the present rather believing in past and letting it overpowering his life , what would happend if jude believe harold when he said that things get broken and sometimes they get repaired and in most cases you realise no matter what get damaged, life rearranged its self to compensate for your lose , sometimes wonderfully, what would happened to our dear jude the one we are carrying in our hearts if he forgive his past ?

[@pbear49]

Ok Rick I had to stop listening to the Video because I haven't read it yet. LOL. "A Little Life" was one of the toughest and best books I've ever read. I'll re-watch this video when I finish reading the book.

[@blackforest825]

The point is that we all - throughout centuries - are the same kind of people with the same aspirations making the same kind of mistakes, obvs

[@sarahno899]

I had to stop at book 3. I enjoyed the first 2, but I just can't handle reading about pandemics in a pandemic and the first couple pages of book 3 just felt so much like I've read that story a hundred times before. Bummed about it a little bit since A Little Life and The People in the Trees were 5 and 4 star reads for me :/

[@judybrown1624]

Do you think it might improve the reading experience to put it down for a few days between parts?

[@RickMacDonnell]

I could definitely see that helping. The parts are essentially two novellas and a full length novel. You can easily put it down and come back to it. In retrospect I wish I’d done that before reading book 2.

[@adriennegarcia6628]

Thanks for the review and for saving me 30.00 and my time.

[@TheBookBully]

um... energy famously cannot be destroyed, Rick, only transferred (didn't read this book, won't read this book, will always support u boo)

[@RickMacDonnell]

Did you just well actually me for the second time today

[@frandrepol7204]

What is the point of such criticism by a dry commentator who does not seem to feel poetry or Imagination. Would be more productive in reviewing articles in a supermarket… sorry but me me me don’t make a review

[@RickMacDonnell]

I dare you to explain what that supermarket joke was supposed to mean

[@frandrepol7204]

Aisle 1 : writing material. aisle 2 paper aisle 3 Grammar books aisle 4 how to read… and so on