Hanya Yanagihara's To Paradise captivates with its ambitious narratives across three centuries, blending historical and speculative fiction. Praised for its intricate storytelling and emotional depth, some find its structure challenging and uneven pacing. While the prose and thematic exploration receive acclaim, readers may struggle with the bleak tone and complexity.

Readers who enjoy thought-provoking, multi-layered narratives exploring themes of love, loss, and history will be captivated by Hanya Yanagihara's To Paradise. Fans of A Little Life and Cloud Atlas will appreciate its intricate storytelling and emotional depth. This novel appeals to those interested in speculative fiction and alternative histories.

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara explores interconnected lives across three centuries in an alternate America, touching on themes of class, emotional betrayal, dystopia, and historical reimaginings. The narrative follows characters named David Bingham and Charles Griffith through different time periods: a 19th-century society grappling with secrets and love across class divides, a 1990s era marked by familial estrangement and the HIV/AIDS crisis, and a future America struggling with totalitarianism and recurring pandemics. Racism, anti-gay bias, and sexual assault are central topics.

Melancholic / Bittersweet / Contemplative / Dark / Emotional

Hanya Yanagihara

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore To Paradise reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read To Paradise | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore To Paradise and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

To Paradise Summary and Study Guide

Background

To Paradise Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1: “Washington Square”

Book 1, Chapters 1-10

To Paradise Book 1, Chapters 1-10 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 11-19

To Paradise Book 1, Chapters 11-19 Summary & Analysis

Book 2: “Lip-Wao-Nahele”

Book 2, Part 1

To Paradise Book 2, Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Part 2

To Paradise Book 2, Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Book 3: “Zone Eight”

Book 3, Parts 1-5

To Paradise Book 3, Parts 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Book 3, Parts 6-10

To Paradise Book 3, Parts 6-10 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

To Paradise Character Analysis

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Themes

To Paradise Themes

Symbols & Motifs

To Paradise Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

To Paradise Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

To Paradise Essay Topics

To Paradise Further Reading & Resources

To Paradise

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read To Paradise?

Reading Age

Book Details