A Little Life

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Given the novel’s themes of identity and trauma-based unhappiness, what was its emotional impact on you?
• Though the novel explores deeply challenging topics and complex emotions, it is also about love. What moments brought you joy or happiness?
• Consider The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt alongside A Little Life. How do these works explore some of the effects of childhood trauma as a person grows into adulthood? What are some similarities and differences?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The novel focuses intensely on identity. In what ways could you connect to Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm? Which character did you connect with the most?
• A major theme in the novel is the concept of chosen family. How important is chosen family to you, and in what ways does your inner circle look different from or like Jude’s?
• How have you worked to heal aspects of your childhood that were imperfect or even painful? How have others been able to help you in your healing process?
• Which scene in the novel evoked the strongest emotional response for you?
• In what ways can grief be read as a symptom of love? Does this connection make grief easier to accept?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How can the novel’s discussion of trauma and mental health disorders provide a space for meaningful discussions within society?
• Does this book differ from other works that examine themes of self-harm and death? What might the book’s structure and style say about the evolution of literature?
• How might this book’s reception and praise represent a greater cultural acceptance of once-taboo topics like self-harm and trauma?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Yanagihara said that she wanted to blend elements of the real world with elements of fairy tales. How and when does surrealism within the novel create a fairy-tale atmosphere?
• How does the setting of New York City enhance the tone and mood of the novel? What does the original apartment of the four friends represent?
• In what ways can the relationship between Jude and Harold be read as the primary relationship within the novel? What is the significance of Harold’s adoption of Jude as an adult?
• Conversely, how can the relationship between Jude and Willem be read as the primary relationship within the novel? From your perspective, was Jude’s death inevitable after Willem’s death, or might Jude have died regardless of what happened to Willem?
• What is the symbolism of JB’s paintings of Jude, and how do they alter the course of the narrative?
• How does the novel explore the idea of loving someone but not being able to save them? What might this say about human interconnectedness and the unique nature of each individual outside of any of their relationships?

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you were to adapt this book into a movie, who would you cast as Jude and why? Who would you cast in the remaining supporting roles and why?
• Create a playlist that includes songs for each of the major scenes in the novel. What kinds of genres or instruments recur in your playlist?

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