Looking for books that will evoke deep emotions? Look no further than these seven recommendations. While Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life has been called “the most depressing book you’ll ever read,” the masterful construction of its characters has made it a favorite among many readers. Whether you’re looking for stories of relentless suffering or tales of love and loss, these books are sure to leave an impact.
1. The House of Impossible Beauties, by Joseph Cassara
Set in 1980s New York City, The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara is a powerful novel that explores the lives of four resilient protagonists who navigate the realities of sex work, abuse, and addiction in the Harlem ball circuit. The story follows 17-year-old Angel, a drag performer who seeks escape from her traumatic past. When she meets Hector, a beautiful and aspiring dancer, they create House of Xtravaganza, the first-ever all-Latino house in the Harlem ball circuit.
After losing Hector to AIDS-related complications, Angel is left alone in charge of the house. She recruits three new members: Venus, a trans girl looking for a wealthy man; Daniel, a butch drag queen; and Juanito, a subdued boy with a talent for fashion design. Together, they navigate the challenges of their lives and the ball culture.
Throughout the novel, Cassara depicts the characters with heartfelt tenderness, brutally honest suffering, and lively New York scenes. The story is a devastating one, but it finds strength in its depiction of love and friendship. Fans of Yanagihara’s A Little Life will appreciate the novel’s exploration of the bonds that connect people in the face of tragedy.
The House of Impossible Beauties is a must-read novel that offers a unique and powerful perspective on the lives of those who lived through the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
2. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong’s debut novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, is a poignant and moving letter from Little Dog to his illiterate mother. The novel delves into Little Dog’s family history, mainly set in Vietnam, and reveals aspects of his life that his mother had never known. Through Little Dog’s letter, Vuong explores themes of familial love, race, class, and masculinity with a compassionate and graceful touch.
In the novel, Little Dog’s urgent need to be heard decimates the silence that trauma can bring. This echoes the themes explored in Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, where Jude’s trauma silenced his voice. Both books encourage readers to consider how we can heal one another and survive in the face of adversity.
Vuong’s writing style is raw and emotional, showcasing his mastery of prose after his move from poetry. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a compelling read for those seeking a follow-up to A Little Life and for anyone looking for a compassionate exploration of familial love and the human experience.
3. Call Me by Your Name, by André Aciman
Call Me by Your Name is a touching novel that tells the story of a summer romance between Elio, a teenage boy, and Oliver, a guest at his parent’s Italian mansion. Despite their initial indifference towards each other, Elio and Oliver’s passion for each other soon becomes unrelenting, leading to a short-lived but life-changing relationship between the two.
The novel explores the experience of falling in love for the first time and speaks honestly about gay romance, making it an excellent choice for those looking for queer representation.
While Call Me by Your Name differs from A Little Life in terms of concrete themes, it shares a similar approach in how it deals with the ways in which humans love one another.
Both Aciman and Yanagihara expertly create narratives that are frank and tender in their depictions of love and friendship. For readers who enjoyed A Little Life but need a break from its difficult and graphic scenes, Call Me by Your Name offers the same heart-wrenching emotions without the traumatic content.
4. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
Beloved, written by Toni Morrison, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that is often regarded as her most significant work. The story revolves around Sethe, an escaped slave living in Ohio who is tormented by the traumatic memories of her past. The novel is set 18 years after Sethe’s escape, and her home is haunted by the ghost of her dead baby, whose tombstone bears the name “Beloved.”
Despite Sethe’s efforts to suppress her painful past, the arrival of a mysterious teenage girl who calls herself Beloved forces her to confront her traumatic history. Through Sethe’s story, Morrison creates a powerful and poignant narrative that highlights the collective trauma of slavery in America.
Beloved is not an easy read, but for those who are willing to confront challenging topics such as abuse and suffering, it is a necessary book. Fans of A Little Life may find the novel to be a compelling and thought-provoking read. Overall, Morrison’s Beloved is a significant work that sheds light on the struggles of black people in America and the lasting impact of slavery on their lives.
5. When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife, by Meena Kandasamy
Meena Kandasamy’s novel, “When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife,” tells the story of a nameless narrator who falls in love with a leftist university professor and poet. However, after they marry, the professor becomes increasingly controlling and abusive, attempting to mold her into his ideal submissive wife. As the narrator resists his attempts to control her, his abuse becomes more brutal.
Kandasamy’s novel explores the complex relationship between love and violence, as well as the role of women in modern India. Through the narrator’s journey from having her autonomy stripped away to reclaiming her own voice, Kandasamy poignantly depicts the devastating impact of domestic abuse on its victims.
The prose in “When I Hit You” is both heartfelt and poetic, making it a challenging but rewarding read. It is a powerful discussion of the long-lasting effects of trauma on individuals, and its honesty encourages empathy in its readers.
6. The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things is a novel that explores the lives of a family in Kerala, India in 1969. The story follows the lives of twins Rahel and Esthappen and their complicated family. The arrival of their cousin Sophie Mol and her mother from England changes the course of their lives forever. The novel delves into the destructive power of the ‘Love Laws’ that dictate who should be loved and how.
Roy masterfully weaves together a narrative that is both brilliant and haunting. Despite the underlying foreboding tone throughout the novel, the reader is not prepared for the heart-wrenching ending. The author seamlessly gives the readers hope, heartbreak, wit, and magic.
Summary
If you enjoyed “A Little Life” and are looking for similar books, there are several options available. “The Heart’s Invisible Furies” by John Boyne, “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt, and “The Great Believers” by Rebecca Makkai are all highly recommended. These books explore themes of trauma, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships in a similar way to “A Little Life”.