After losing her sons, Yiyun Li learned to ‘suffer better’

Writer Yiyun Li explores the intersection of profound personal grief and creative expression following the loss of her two sons to suicide. Her latest novel, *Music Against the Night*, functions as a mechanism to mark time and navigate suffering through historical figures rather than contemporary reality. Li challenges societal perceptions of suicide, arguing that those who choose it are often driven by unbearable pain rather than selfishness. She emphasizes the distinction between sadness, which she views as an inevitable, manageable part of human existence, and unhappiness, which stems from a desire to escape one's life. By engaging with the world through piano, gardening, and writing, she demonstrates that it is possible to endure deep sorrow while maintaining a connection to life, ultimately advocating for patience and continued engagement during periods of mental anguish.