To Paradise

De: Hanya Yanagihara

Narrado por: BD Wong, Catherine Ho, Edoardo Ballerini, Feodor Chin, Kurt Kanazawa

The No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller from the author of A Little Life

'I’m not sure I’ve ever missed the world of a book as much' – The Observer

To Paradise is a bold, brilliant novel spanning three centuries and three different versions of the elusive idea of utopia; driven by Hanya Yanagihara’s understanding of our desire to protect those we love – lovers, children, friends, family and even our fellow citizens – and the pain that ensues when we cannot.

In an alternate version of 1893 America, New York is part of the Free States, where people may live and love as they please (or so it seems).

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.

In 2093, in a world torn apart 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 disappearance.

What unites these characters, and these Americas, are their reckonings with the qualities that make us human – fear, love, shame, loneliness – and the longing to find a place in an earthly paradise.

‘Not only rare . . . revolutionary’ – Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours

‘Prepare to weep in public and be utterly transformed’ – Stylist

©2022 Hanya Yanagihara (P)2022 Penguin Randomhouse LLC

Intriguing and worth listening to

Unsettling, but something we should all listen to. I loved the writing and the performances.

Mmmmm

Can’t exactly say if I thought this a great read but i am certainly sure that I’m pleased I listened to it. It was interesting, thought provoking and daunting. Pleased I won’t be around in 2093.

Lengthy and Verbose

Overall, this book is very lengthy and verbose. Book 1 has a good voice narrator however felt incomplete; I wish the story would proceed more on David’s and Edward’s marriage.

Book 2 is the least enjoyable read for me. Part 1 of Book 2 is just plain boring. Aside of the verboseness, the flashbacks are too all over the place. Compared to Part 2 of Book 2 on the other hand, the writing structure of a letter format is slightly better and easier to read fast-paced.

Book 3, I can’t say that I enjoyed it, it only got me through. Part 1-6 drags too much made me almost DNF. The voice narrator for Charlie sounds very flat and boring but then the story revealed the character is not a lively person, so I happened to understand and I appreciate for enhancing immersive reading experience. Charles witty and enthusiastic chapters however is easier to read and improves my motivation to read. Part 7-10 made me stay and finally finished it.

Brilliant and infuriating

3.5 stars.

I absolutely loved the stories especially part 3. I was hooked. Yet there were 2 aspects that REALLY annoyed me:
1. She used the same character names across all 3 stories/parts even though they were absolutely unrelated. I find this pointless and irritating especially in keeping track of the complexity if each story.
2. Part 1 and 2 ended abruptly on an absolute precipice. I was left dangling with no inkling of the outcome of the story. It feels unfinished more than thought provoking.
I wouldn't recommend the book because of these 3 aspects. I'm left feeling incomplete rather than satisfied or even dissatisfied with the novel.