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Entertainment • Literature

A Little Life

A Little Life is a 2015 novel by Hanya Yanagihara about four college friends in New York City, centred on Jude St.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A Little Life is a 2015 novel by Hanya Yanagihara about four college friends in New York City, centred on Jude St. Francis and the long-term effects of his traumatic past. The book explores friendship, love, suffering, and recovery over several decades. It was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize.

Plot

The novel follows Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm as they build careers and relationships in New York City. As the narrative progresses, Jude’s traumatic past increasingly shapes the story.

Themes

The book examines trauma, memory, friendship, love, caretaking, and the limits of healing. It is widely described as an intense psychological and emotional novel.

Characters

Jude St. Francis is the central character, while Willem Ragnarsson, Jean-Baptiste Marion, and Malcolm Irvine form the circle of close friends around him. Their relationships are a major part of the novel’s structure.

Publication and reception

A Little Life was published in 2015 and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. It received significant critical and popular attention for its length, style, and emotionally difficult subject matter.

Key facts

  • The novel follows four friends from college into adulthood in New York City.
  • Jude St. Francis becomes the central focus of the narrative.
  • The book examines the long-term impact of childhood trauma and abuse.
  • Friendship and chosen family are major themes throughout the novel.
  • A Little Life was published in 2015 and became widely discussed for its emotional intensity.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote A Little Life?
Hanya Yanagihara wrote A Little Life.
When was A Little Life published?
It was published in 2015.
What is A Little Life about?
It follows four friends in New York City, with the story increasingly centred on Jude St. Francis and the effects of his traumatic past.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters are Jude St. Francis, Willem Ragnarsson, Jean-Baptiste Marion, and Malcolm Irvine.
What are the main themes?
Major themes include trauma, friendship, love, suffering, memory, and recovery.
Was A Little Life a prize finalist?
Yes. It was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize.

References

  1. SuperSummary — https://www.supersummary.com/a-little-life/summary/
    Supports: Publication year, central character, themes, and Man Booker Prize shortlist.
  2. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/a-little-life/
    Supports: Publication year, central character, and core thematic focus.
  3. LitCharts — https://www.litcharts.com/lit/a-little-life/summary
    Supports: Plot overview and main characters.
  4. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/a-little-life/summary/
    Supports: Book summary and Jude as protagonist.
  5. SoBrief — https://www.sobrief.com/books/a-little-life
    Supports: Characters, setting, themes, and ending.