The People in the Trees

"This is not an easy or comfortable read, and Yanagihara, a masterful writer, does not shy from difficult subjects (heed trigger warnings). Dr Perina joins an anthropological expedition right after school and builds a career (and a life) around the findings and people of U’iva. Written as a memoir, with footnotes that provide color and insight, you don’t have to like Perina to appreciate the book. Recommend for those who read and liked A Little Life. "

"Ugh…what to say about this? I do love Yanagihara’s style. She is an excellent writer. I will say the footnotes were a pain to get through. I think most of them could have been removed without affecting the story. "

"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

"This book felt like a writer’s experiment to some degree. ‘How scientific can I make this and still keep the reader’s attention?’ Well, honestly, she lost me many times throughout the story with overly-detailed sections regarding the research of the uncivilized tribe, but oddly I was still able to comprehend the underlying message without confusion. The beginning of the story lets you know what is coming, but she doesn’t circle back to those events literally until the very end of the book. Not even slightly. Glad I read it; very original story!"

"Pedophilia"

"Yanagihara really knows how to build a scene, in reading this book i felt transported to U’ivu and felt like i lived the life of Perina with him. I sometimes feel nostalgic when i think of this book because i could vividly picture the team’s journey through the jungle on the way to Ivu’Ivu. Honestly the beginning was hard to get through because i hated Perina, absolutely hated him to where i didn’t want to read about him and while i still hate him(in the end), i find his character interesting."

"3.5/5<br/><br/>I don’t really know how to review this book. While it didn’t live up to my expectations, per say, it did still have that classic Yanagihara realism that tricks you into considering the characters as real people. Honestly, by the time I reached the end I was more confused than anything at the point of the book. Like yes, I do sort of understand what she was getting at, but it also felt kind of… predictable? But then that’s also not quite the point either. It felt… like there was supposed to be some grand revelation or point of reflection that I just didn’t grasp. I have a feeling there’s something deeper she’s trying to say, but all I can grasp at is the portrayal of a deeply flawed character for no reason other than to portray him. Maybe that’s the point, but I just have trouble rationalizing and understanding it. But that is probably my own interpretation that is flawed, so I won’t take off points."

"extremely fascinating setup and well executed as far as description goes, but the personality of the narrator is extremely grating and as a reader i don't want them to succeed. the ultimate "twist" at the end fails to deliver any emotional punch and just left me feeling deflated and disgusted for having read it."