To Paradise — Hanya Yanagihara [Book Summary]

“To Paradise” is a novel by Hanya Yanagihara, published in November 2021.

The book is divided into nine interconnected stories that follow different characters in different time periods, from the 18th century to the present day. The central theme of the book is the pursuit of paradise, whether it be in the afterlife or in this world, and the various ways people go about trying to attain it.

The first story, “The Doomed City,” is set in 1749 and follows a group of Jesuit priests who have traveled to the New World to convert the indigenous people to Christianity. The story explores the tensions between the priests and the native peoples, as well as the idea of martyrdom and sacrifice.

In “The Lives of the Saints,” which takes place in 1901, a young woman named Beatrice comes to New York City to join a convent. She struggles with her faith and her attraction to a fellow novice, and ultimately makes a decision that changes the course of her life.

“The Errand” is set in 1968 and follows a young man named Hiroshi as he travels to San Francisco to retrieve the ashes of his grandfather, who died while on a trip to the United States. The story deals with themes of identity, assimilation, and the cultural divide between Japan and the United States.

“The Human World” takes place in 1982 and follows a group of friends in New York City as they navigate the complexities of adulthood and their various relationships. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life.

“The Future Perfect” is set in the near future and follows a couple who have decided to have a child through a process of genetic modification. The story explores the ethical implications of this technology and the potential consequences of playing with the very fabric of life.

In “The Moldau Case,” which takes place in the early 2000s, a lawyer is hired to defend a man accused of a heinous crime. The story delves into the nature of guilt and the limits of justice.

“The Times Are Never So Bad” follows a woman named Claire in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has destroyed much of Los Angeles. The story explores themes of trauma, grief, and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity.

“Paradise” is set in the present day and follows a group of artists and intellectuals who have gathered in a remote location to participate in a “retreat.” The story delves into the nature of creativity, the meaning of art, and the ways in which people seek to escape from the world around them.

The final story, “The Eternal,” takes place in the afterlife and follows a group of people who have died and gone to “Paradise.” The story explores the idea of eternal life and the various ways people try to create their own versions of paradise.

Overall, “To Paradise” is a richly layered and thought-provoking novel that tackles a wide range of themes and ideas. Yanagihara’s prose is both beautiful and brutal, and her characters are vividly drawn and deeply human. The book is a meditation on what it means to be alive, and the ways in which we strive to make our lives meaningful.

Main idea and Points of the Book

The main idea of “To Paradise” by Hanya Yanagihara is the human pursuit of paradise, whether in the afterlife or in this world, and the various ways people go about trying to attain it. The book is divided into nine interconnected stories that span different time periods and locations, each exploring this central theme in different ways.

Here are some of the main points from each story:

1. “The Doomed City”: A group of Jesuit priests attempt to convert the indigenous people of the New World to Christianity, but struggle to reconcile their own beliefs with the reality of the world they encounter.
2. “The Lives of the Saints”: A young woman joins a convent in New York City in the early 20th century, but struggles with her faith and her attraction to another novice.
3. “The Errand”: A young man travels to San Francisco to retrieve his grandfather’s ashes and grapples with issues of identity and assimilation.
4. “The Human World”: A group of friends in New York City navigate the complexities of adulthood and relationships, and try to find meaning in their lives.
5. “The Future Perfect”: A couple decides to have a child through genetic modification, and the story explores the ethical implications of this technology.
6. “The Moldau Case”: A lawyer is hired to defend a man accused of a heinous crime, and the story delves into the nature of guilt and justice.
7. “The Times Are Never So Bad”: A woman grapples with trauma and grief in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has destroyed much of Los Angeles.
8. “Paradise”: A group of artists and intellectuals gather in a remote location for a “retreat” and explore the nature of creativity, art, and the ways in which people seek to escape from the world around them.
9. “The Eternal”: The final story takes place in the afterlife, where a group of people have died and gone to “Paradise” and explore the idea of eternal life and the various ways people try to create their own versions of paradise.

Throughout the book, Yanagihara weaves together these disparate stories to explore the universal human desire for paradise and the ways in which we seek to make our lives meaningful.

20 lessons from Book

Here are 20 potential lessons that can be gleaned from reading “To Paradise” by Hanya Yanagihara:

1. The human desire for paradise and meaning is universal, transcending time and location.
2. The pursuit of paradise can take many different forms, some more constructive than others.
3. The desire to escape from the world is a common theme in the search for paradise.
4. Religion can both help and hinder the search for paradise.
5. Identity and assimilation are complex issues that can affect a person’s pursuit of paradise.
6. Guilt, justice, and the nature of crime are complicated issues that do not always have easy answers.
7. The pursuit of scientific progress can come with ethical implications that must be carefully considered.
8. Creativity and art are powerful tools for expressing the human search for paradise.
9. Trauma and grief can shape a person’s outlook on life and the pursuit of paradise.
10. Relationships and human connections can be a source of both joy and pain in the pursuit of paradise.
11. The nature of sacrifice and martyrdom is a complex issue that requires careful consideration.
12. The concept of “Paradise” is subjective and varies from person to person.
13. The consequences of our actions can have far-reaching implications that we may not fully understand.
14. Human history is often marked by violence and struggle, but there is always the possibility of redemption and hope.
15. The pursuit of paradise is not a solitary endeavor, but rather a shared human experience.
16. The meaning of life is a question that has puzzled humanity for centuries, and there is no single answer.
17. The search for paradise requires a certain level of courage and resilience, as it can be a difficult and challenging path.
18. The human capacity for love is a powerful force that can transcend time, space, and circumstance.
19. The pursuit of paradise can lead to both personal growth and self-destruction, depending on how it is pursued.
20. The pursuit of paradise is ultimately a search for meaning and purpose, and each person must find their own way to navigate this journey.

And there you have it! Many thanks for persisting to the end of this article! Hope you have found it helpful.