'A Little Life' delineates the journey of four college friends in New York City, struggling with their pasts while seeking success and meaning. Following their lives over several decades, we witness their dynamics evolve, shaped by their triumphs, failures, and the indelible marks of their individual histories. Central to their narrative is the enigmatic Jude, a brilliant lawyer battling demons from a childhood marked by trauma. As they navigate adulthood, their bonds are tested by the complexities of love, the burdens of care, and the specters of addiction and pride. Yanagihara paints an incisive portrait of modern love, family, and the rarefied capacity for enduring friendship despite the darkest of pasts.