A long way down (2005)

Not his best book, but I enjoyed it enough. It'd probably make a better movie. I couldn't cast it in my head though. I'm open to suggestions if anyone else has read this. ( )

Long Way Down is an odd book, but as is typical of Hornby's work, it's engrossing and brilliantly written.

It begins on the roof of a building, where four people - intent on committing suicide by throwing themselves off - have run into each other.

Rather than jump (which would make for a short novel), the group agrees to meet on Valentine's Day, setting the stage for what's to come.

Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the four, and while the effect can be dizzying at times, it's also handled cleanly enough that it becomes engrossing.

Hornby's characters are richly drawn and detailed, and I found myself as drawn to the writing as I was the characters.

Hornby fans will love this, plain and simple. ( )

In some ways, this book is classic Hornby: The angst-filled, the immature, the id-driven, self-centered people of the world stumble, make mistakes and try to do better. The writing is tight and humorous, and the emotional resonance is there. Here's the problem: the four main characters meet in a wholly improbable manner, and after the first section of the novel, there is not really a plausible reason for them to maintain a bond. Maybe a couple of them, in various configurations, but not all four, as a unit. The catalyst for much of the rest of the story is one character, a teenage girl, who is entirely unpleasant, spoiled, self-centered, bitchy, immature and totally, totally slapworthy. She needs a wake-up call and really fails at recognizing the opportunities for such. I HATED her. Yet, without her, the last two-thirds of the book wouldn't even exist. A frustrating contradiction. -cg ( )

First off, I just want to say how disturbed I am by all the review quotes on the front and back covers talking about how funny, comedic, and hilarious this book is. It's not. It has some clever turns of phrase, some good chuckles, but it's not the laff-a-minute romp the pull quotes would have you believe. This is the story of four deeply troubled people helping each other (whether they know it or not) through those critical days after planning to jump off the top of a building. The characters are sympathetic and well-developed, as with all of Hornby's books (it's why I read him), and honestly I think this one is a little stronger than the others I've read, because we're looking at such damaged people so sympathetically. ( )

In four distinct and riveting first-person voices, Nick Hornby tells a story of four individuals confronting the limits of choice, circumstance, and their own mortality. This is a tale of connections made and missed, punishing regrets, and the grace of second chances.This book is as funny as it is provocative. Nick Hornby's writing style isn't for everyone, but if you like his wry humor, you will enjoy any of his books.