To Paradise

Main Ideas

• An alternate history of America, divided into three timelines: 1893, 1993, and 2093.
• Exploration of themes of love, freedom, and identity through various social and political contexts.
• Questions of gender and sexual identity and their impact on personal and societal relationships.
• The theme of utopia and dystopia, examining the ideals and realities of society.
• Issues of health and epidemics, and their influence on society and individual destinies.
• Family ties and legacy, and how they shape and affect the lives of the characters.

Interesting Facts

• The book consists of three parts, each set in a different time and in alternate versions of America.
• The first part of the book takes place in 1893 in an alternate version of New York, where same-sex marriages are the norm.
• The second part of the book is set in 1993 and tells the story of an heir to a wealthy Hawaiian family grappling with the aftermath of the AIDS epidemic.
• The third part of the book transports the reader to 2093, where the world suffers from the effects of climate change and a totalitarian regime.
• Each part of the book is connected to the previous ones through themes of love, loss, and the search for one's place in the world.
• The book explores questions of identity, freedom, and belonging through various historical and social contexts.

Book Review

«To Paradise» by Hanya Yanagihara is an ambitious and multilayered work that explores themes of love, utopia, and human nature through three parallel stories set in alternate versions of America. Critics note that Yanagihara masterfully creates complex and emotionally rich worlds where characters confront questions of identity, freedom, and belonging. Some reviewers admire the depth and scope of the novel, highlighting its literary craftsmanship and ability to evoke strong emotional responses. However, there are those who feel the book is at times overloaded with details and may seem too dark and heavy. Overall, «To Paradise» is perceived as a significant and impressive work that continues Yanagihara's tradition of crafting deep and memorable stories.