pla is not brittle.
Hit it with a hammer and it doesn't shatter, it usually dents.

What it is, is harder and stiffer than abs. But print it thin and it flexes at least as well as abs.

A lot of a 3d prints properties are down to how the thing is printed. I probably design my pla stuff to the capabilities of the material better than most. But right from the first pla print I've had absolutely none of the supposed issues people claim for it.

Abs on the other hand was just a hassle from the first day to the last.
I don't have an enclosed printer - so abs was never going to be fun.

If you have an enclosed printer and you like acetone - give it a go.

Just be aware there are alternatives that don't have any of the built in hassle of abs.