American novelist Hanya Yanagihara's second novel called A Little Life is a no holds barred tale of the friendship between four young men in New York City.
Hanya Yanagihara Photo: Sam Levy
The novel follows them from university graduation to their work life, friction with each other, but in essence shows how the bond they established as students survives a lifetime.
It tackles some pretty weighty subject material, self harm, the legacy of physical and sexual abuse, rape and human endurance.
It particularly focuses on the troubled childhood and tortured adult life of one of the group, Jude, who is a successful lawyer.
A Little Life was nominated for the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Award.
Hanya Yanagihara will appear at the Auckland Writers Festival at the Aotea Centre next week.
