A long way down is a good novel struggling to find a way out of the limitations of its own gimmick, but ultimately the conceit is so offbeam that one can almost ignore it and flow with the farce. In long way down, a griefstricken and confused 15yearold in the projects has a desperate choice to make after the death of his brother. And after an inspirational unicef visit to africa, they knew they had to go back and experience this extraordinary continent in more depth. Long way down jason reynolds 9781481438254 netgalley. The entire book takes place over 60 seconds of the main characters life, enough time for him to question everything hes been taught and change his life forever. Long way down explores the perpetuation of a cycle of violence and the theme of revenge. This book reminds me of something that chuck palahniuk would have written, only it is better written than that. Long way down is national book award finalist and new york times bestseller jason reynoldss fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent secondsthe time it takes a kid to decide. Read long way down an epic journey by motorcycle from scotland to south africa by ewan mcgregor available from rakuten kobo. Sebastian barrys latest novel, days without end, is now available. Provided to youtube by sony music entertainment long way down one direction made in the a. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill.
A buzzfeed best ya book of 2017 an ode to put the damn guns down, this is national book award finalist and new york times bestseller jason reynoldss fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent secondsthe time it takes a kid to decide whether or not hes going to murder the guy who killed his brother. We know christian parents and educators struggle to find quality new books. The theme is very clear throughout the novel, but i have chosen this passage from the ending of the book, on page 254. Theme and message in a long way down the book blogging. The main themes in a long way down is suicide, depression and that there is always hope. Long way down is a television series, book and dvd documenting a motorcycle journey undertaken in 2007 by ewan mcgregor and charley boorman, from john o groats in scotland through eighteen countries in europe and africa to cape town in south africa. Episode 1, 2, and 3 and charley boormans deliverance, excalibur motorcycle trip from john ogroats in scotland to cape town, south africa. I have this in hardback but i am putting these ones onto my kindle so i can keep them as i love this type of book. Immediately download the long way down summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for. An ode to put the damn guns down, this is national book award finalist and new york times bestseller jason reynoldss fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent secondsthe time it takes a. And now comes along nick hornbys only highconcept novel till date a long way down. Oct 24, 2017 a novel in verse that spans the length of time it takes for an elevator to descend, long way down finds will mourning the death of his brother and grappling with the burden of avenging his murder. At redeemed reader, were reading ahead for you so that. Jun 07, 2005 and now comes along nick hornbys only highconcept novel till date a long way down.
Wills brother has just been shot and killed, leaving will traveling down six stories with a. I will focus mostly on the last theme in this short analysis. A long way down is a 2014 british black comedy film directed by pascal chaumeil, loosely based on author nick hornby s 2005 novel, a long way down. After 15yearold will sees his older brother, shawn, gunned down on the streets, he sets out to do the.
Louis and national social distancing guidelines, our offices are closed through april 30, 2020. A long way down is a novel written by british author nick hornby, published in 2005. One new years eve, four strangers meet each other on a rooftop, where each has gone to kill himself. Jason reynolds on his novel, long way down youtube. Long way down by jason reynolds goodreads share book. Jason reynolds, long way down long way down is a novel written in verse that tells the story of fifteenyearold will who seeks to venge his murdered brother shawn. Due to a covid19 stay at home order for the city of st. Long way down is a documentary about friends ewan mcgregor star wars. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. A newbery honor book a coretta scott king honor book. While there isnt any swearing or onscreen violence, the themes are quite intense. Jason reynolds new novel long way down is focused on a.
A long way down movie tiein by nick hornby, paperback. Published october 24th 2017 by atheneumcaitlyn dlouhy books. Oct 24, 2017 jason reynolds new novel long way down is a study in restriction the book, which was longlisted for the 2017 national book award in young peoples literature, outlines a single minute in the. Jason reynolds talks long way down and writing about gun. Wills grief permeates every page, from his recollections of everyday childhood memories to his encounters with other figures from his past. It is a dark comedy, playing off the themes of suicide, angst, depression and promiscuity the story is written in the firstperson narrative from the points of view of the four main characters, martin, maureen, jess and jj. Compare the development of these themes in reynoldss novel to a classic revenge story like romeo and juliet, hamlet, the iliad, or the count of monte cristo.
Apr 30, 2005 a long way down by nick hornby 288pp, viking. Lad lits original gang leader has written about football, music, parental responsibility and morality. He was achingly beautiful, perfect in a way i could never strive to match. Pg wodehouse may have been the last lightcomic writer to be comfy in his pigeonhole. As a familyfirst company, we are committed to doing the right thing to prevent the spread of covid19. A long way down is a 2014 british black comedy film directed by pascal chaumeil, loosely based on author nick hornbys 2005 novel, a long way down. Oct 24, 2017 told in short, fierce staccato narrative verse, long way down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence, as could only be told by jason reynolds. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Long way down is powerful, beautiful, and will stay with you long after wills journey ends. The theme is very clear throughout the novel, but i have chosen this passage from the ending of. Praised as a master storyteller the wall street journal and hailed for his flawless use of language boston herald, irish author and playwright sebastian barry has created a powerful new novel about divided loyalties and the realities of war. Youll get the first email of recommendations from our critics within a week. A buzzfeed best ya book of 2017 an ode to put the damn guns down. Jason reynolds new novel long way down is a study in restriction the book, which was longlisted for the 2017 national book award in young peoples literature, outlines a. Oct 24, 2017 long way down by jason reynolds, 9781481438254, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Jan 04, 2018 spare, laserfocused verse from awardwinning us author jason reynolds is interspersed with chris priestleys tenebrous illustrations in the intensely powerful long way down.
A novel in verse that spans the length of time it takes for an elevator to descend, long way down finds will mourning the death of his brother and grappling with the burden of avenging his murder. Long way down chapter 1, a twilight fanfic fanfiction. Long way down book the seattle public library bibliocommons. Long way down navigates gun violence through verse within the claustrophobic confines of a smoky elevator, conjuring a momenttomoment story that must be followed until the fateful finale. Dont nobody believe nothing these days which is why i havent told nobody the story im about to tell you. Nick hornbys a long way down is a novel that asks some of the big questions. Jj is a failed american rock star, jess a somewhat psychotic teenager, maureen a middleaged women with a disabled son, and martin a disgraced talk show host. Along the way, they discover that even accidental, dysfunctional families. Jason reynolds new book follows a 15yearold who must make a crucial. Jason reynolds reads from his ya verse novel, long way down, beautifully illustrated by chris priestley.
The story is written in the firstperson narrative from the points of view of the four main characters, martin, maureen, jess and jj. It stars pierce brosnan, toni collette, imogen poots, and aaron paul as four strangers who meet on the roof of a london building on new years eve, each with the intent of committing suicide. Long way down is yet another striking example of how some of the best, most creative novels are labelled for young adults and overlooked by many adult readers. Written in verse, long way down is breathtakingly gripping and spectacular.
An ode to put the damn guns down, this is new york times bestselling author jason reynoldss electrifying novel that takes place in sixty potent secondsthe. The entire action of the book takes place on that journey down to the ground floor. A long way down official movie site starring aaron. What makes the book work is hornbys refusal to give an inch to sentimentality or cheap inspirational guff. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. In this touching comedy based on the acclaimed novel by nick hornby, a long way down centers on four strangers pierce brosnan, toni collette, aaron paul and imogen poots who decide to end it all on new years eve. And so they set off on their 15,000mile journey with two new bmws loaded up for the trip. Told in short, fierce staccato narrative verse, long way down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence, as could only be told by jason reynolds. Only to find that they have even less in common than first suspected. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a plan for revenge jason reynolds new book follows a 15yearold who must make a crucial decision after the murder of. After their trip round the world in 2004, fellow actors and bike fanatics ewan mcgregor and charley boorman couldnt shake the travel bug. Time a dramatic, sad and thoroughly sidesplitting novel. Since then, it has become hard to find a jester who wants. Lad lits original gang leader has written about football, music.
Long way down book by jason reynolds official publisher page. However, when they meet by chance on a london rooftop, they agree to halt their plans for six weeks. An epic journey by motorcycle from scotland to south africa. Long way down is a 2017 young adults book by jason reynolds told in free verse. As will makes his way to the ground floor of his building, the elevator stops to accept. Wills grief permeates every page, from his recollections of everyday childhood memories to his encounters with other figures from his past whose lives were destroyed by gun violence. Il long way down 2012 1,000 ml bike ride down italy matthew crisp. Jan 16, 2015 long way down by michael sears my rating. Jan 03, 2018 jason reynolds reads from his ya verse novel, long way down, beautifully illustrated by chris priestley. Jul 06, 2014 a long way down trailer for a long way down.
Oct 30, 2017 in long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a plan for revenge jason reynolds new book follows a 15yearold who must make a crucial decision after the murder of his brother, all in the. Theme and message in a long way down the book blogging project. A long way down is the story of what happens next, and of what doesnt. This is the premise of a long way down, a book which turns out to be a comedy. Joining up with producerdirectors russ malkin and david alexanian and the long way round team, their route took them from john ogroats at the northernmost tip of scotland to cape agulhas on the southernmost tip of south africa. Long way down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence. Guardian jason reynolds is a literary genius who gives voice to a generation. Their plans for death in solitude are ruined when they. It is a dark comedy, playing off the themes of suicide, angst, depression and promiscuity.
It is a followup to the long way round of 2004, when the pair rode east from london to new york via eurasia and north america. Wills brother has just been shot and killed, leaving will traveling down six stories with a gun tucked into his waistband for revenge. Feb 07, 20 the main themes in a long way down is suicide, depression and that there is always hope. Times stealthy tread, its unseen ability to heal some wounds while inflicting others, gives nick hornbys darkly comic new novel, a long way down, its genuine. Get revenge decides to murder the suspect with the help of his brothers gun. Immediately download the long way down summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching long way down. A stellar creepy, engaging, heartbreaking novel in verse, long way down is another example of what author jason reynolds does best. Buy long way down digital original by boorman, charley, mcgregor, ewan isbn. And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows.
But a long way down takes risks, and it does things that most authors are afraid to do, which is talk about suicide and it does it in such a smart way that it becomes a book that is actually against suicide in the long run. Long way down is yet another striking example of how some of the best, most creative novels are labelled for young adults and overlooked by. An epic journey by motorcycle from scotland to south africa mcgregor, ewan on. Buy the hardcover book long way down by jason reynolds at indigo. This is my first book by reynolds, and now im eager to check out his others, especially ghost, which was a national book award finalist. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a. I struggled to allow my brain to overrule the instinct raging deep within me that said i couldnt live without him, but a voice whispered in the back of my head that maybe it wasnt so much him that i ached for. They encounter one another on the roof of toppers house, a london destination famous as the last stop for those ready to end their lives. An ode to put the damn guns down, this is new york times bestselle.