To Paradise
Layered
Thought provoking
Emotional

To Paradise

From the author of the classic A LITTLE LIFE, a bold, brilliant novel spanning three centuries and three different versions of the American experiment, about lovers, family, loss and the elusive promise of utopia. In an alternate version of 1893 America, New York is part of the Free States, where people may live and love whomever they please (or so it seems). The fragile young scion of a distinguished family resists betrothal to a worthy suitor, drawn to a charming music teacher of no means. In a 1993 Manhattan besieged by the AIDS epidemic, a young Hawaiian man lives with his much older, wealthier partner, hiding his troubled childhood and the fate of his father. And in 2093, in a world riven by plagues and governed by totalitarian rule, a powerful scientist's damaged granddaughter tries to navigate life without him--and solve the mystery of her husband's disappearances. These three sections are joined in an enthralling and ingenious symphony, as recurring notes and themes deepen and enrich one another: A townhouse in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village; illness, and treatments that come at a terrible cost; wealth and squalor; the weak and the strong; race; the definition of family, and of nationhood; the dangerous righteousness of the powerful, and of revolutionaries; the longing to find a place in an earthly paradise, and the gradual realization that it can't exist. What unites not just the characters, but these Americas, are their reckonings with the qualities that make us human: Fear. Love. Shame. Need. Loneliness. TO PARADISE is a fin de siecle novel of marvelous literary effect, but above all it is a work of emotional genius. The great power of this remarkable novel is driven by Yanagihara's understanding of the aching desire to protect those we love - partners, lovers, children, friends, family and even our fellow citizens - and the pain that ensues when we cannot.
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Reviews

Photo of Eva Ströberg
Eva Ströberg@cphbirdlady
3 stars
Jul 19, 2024
Photo of Sohini Roy
Sohini Roy@sohiniroy121
4 stars
Jul 2, 2024
Photo of kayla
kayla @kayellng
4 stars
Mar 14, 2024
Photo of Shalini Basu
Shalini Basu@lini
5 stars
Jan 27, 2024
Photo of Rae
Rae@raeeeharris
3 stars
Jan 8, 2024
Photo of kiwi
kiwi@kiwwi
1 star
Jan 7, 2024
Photo of Cassie B
Cassie B@partialtruth
3 stars
Jan 1, 2024
Photo of K K
K K@kristinak2509
3 stars
Dec 18, 2023
Photo of Nate
Nate@wiredfractal
4 stars
Apr 25, 2023
Honest
Layered
Emotional
Remarkable
Sophisticated
Photo of Anyaconda
Anyaconda@kaffeeklatschandbooks
3 stars
Apr 7, 2023
Photo of joe
joe@josephsand
4 stars
Oct 1, 2022
Photo of Floofyflower
Floofyflower@jusalilfloof
2.5 stars
Sep 15, 2022
This review contains a spoiler
Dry
Long winded
Photo of Eva Bailey
Eva Bailey@evabails
5 stars
Aug 14, 2022
Photo of Fraser Simons
Fraser Simons@frasersimons
2 stars
Jun 9, 2022
Photo of Caitlyn Baldwin
Caitlyn Baldwin@caitlynkbaldwin
5 stars
May 9, 2022
Photo of Cindy Lieberman
Cindy Lieberman@chicindy
5 stars
Mar 26, 2022
Photo of Katie Moore
Katie Moore@allotmentkatie
2 stars
Feb 2, 2022
Photo of Anna Se
Anna Se@annase
3 stars
Oct 23, 2024
Photo of Greg K
Greg K@gknob
5 stars
Jul 17, 2024
Photo of Erin O’Donnell
Erin O’Donnell@erinodonnell
4 stars
May 19, 2024
Photo of Miguel
Miguel@augustimely
3 stars
Jan 7, 2024
Photo of amy jacobowitz
amy jacobowitz@amyjacobowitz
4 stars
Dec 26, 2023
Photo of Luisa Claudia
Luisa Claudia@luisa_claudia
4.5 stars
May 17, 2023
Bold
Dark
Pure
Clever
Tragic
Layered
Exciting
Original
Addictive
Emotional
Meaningful
Extraordinary
Unpredictable
Photo of Phoebe Barrett
Phoebe Barrett@phoebeee00731
4 stars
Feb 26, 2023
Dark
Layered
Thought provoking

Highlights

Photo of Nate
Nate@wiredfractal
Page 315
Photo of Nate
Nate@wiredfractal
Page 307
Photo of Nate
Nate@wiredfractal
Page 236
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
This highlight contains a spoiler
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Helen
Helen @helensbookshelf
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
This highlight contains a spoiler
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln
This highlight contains a spoiler