Completing two Yanagihara novels within a span of just four months feels like a noteworthy achievement. After the emotional roller coaster that was “A Little Life” – a book that skilfully dismantled my heart into the tiniest fragments – I eagerly embarked on the journey offered by “To Paradise.” Happily, Yanagihara proved to be every bit as captivating in this latest work.
But was he indeed a man of the world? Or was he only a man of the Bingham-created world, one that was rich and varied but, he knew, vastly incomplete?
This book unfolds as three distinct tales, each set in a different century in the city of New York: 1893, 1993, and 2093. What makes “To Paradise” particularly intriguing is the way these narratives are interconnected. Whether it’s through shared character names, locations, or hidden surprises scattered throughout, the subtle threads that bind these stories together create a compelling tapestry of interconnectedness.
He had, he was able to see, drifted through that decade, moving through it with the cool detachment of a sleepwalker- to have awakened would have been to be overwhelmed with all he had seen and withstood.
My affection for these narratives ran so deep that I found myself experiencing a sense of melancholy as each book segment concluded abruptly. The uncertainty of whether the characters would ultimately find their own version of paradise left me yearning for more.
You should always have a close friend you’re slightly afraid of.”
Why?
“Because it means that you’ll have someone in your life who really challenges you, who forces you to become better in some way, in whatever way you’re most scared of: Their approval is what’ll hold you accountable.”
While the page count might appear daunting at first glance, I’d encourage potential readers not to be deterred. Think of it as diving into three distinct books within one cover, each offering its own unique charm and insight. Yanagihara’s “To Paradise” is a literary experience that will keep you engaged, intrigued, and pondering the concept of paradise long after you’ve turned the final page.
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