To Paradise

Published in 2022, To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara is a pandemic novel that uses dystopia to explore the perils of excessive safety. The experimental novel follows three protagonists, all named David, through an alternative American history spanning from 1883 to 2040. The final section depicts a totalitarian America, shaped by years of devastating pandemics. Although written before COVID-19, Yanagihara’s portrayal of the tension between safety and danger resonates deeply in a world gripped by pandemic response. In To Paradise, totalitarianism results from well-intentioned public health measures as New Yorkers live in perpetual lockdown, trapped in a joyless state of defensiveness. Yanagihara critiques the mental and social costs of pandemic safety measures, reflecting the psychological toll of isolation and questioning whether the sacrifice of life’s pleasures for safety is worthwhile.