A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby

Advantages: Interesting storyline, good dialogue
Disadvantages: lacks depth, a bit short

...When I read the preview on the back of the book, I thought that I just had to get this book, as I've got most of his others: How to Be Good, Fever Pitch, About a Boy, Otherwise Pandemonium, High Fidelity. I was let down by "How to Be Good", and although this book was an improvement, it was relatively poor compared to his other previous works. This book tells the story of a group of people who have decided to commit suicide, by jumping off a building and they all incidentally pick the same date and same time and meet, and end up talking, and not jumping off to death. The book tells the story of each character and why they wanted to die. It also tells of how the group of people live life after this failed attempted suicide, how they interact with each other and deal with their lives and get on with it. As always, Hornby... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very easy to read, well written and very witty
Disadvantages: You might stay up to late reading it!

...A Long Way Down is the latest in a string of big hit books written by the oh-so witty Nick Hornby. Previous titles you may have heard of include About A Boy, High Fidelity and Fever Pitch. If you have read any of his books before then you will already know how funny this guy is. If you haven't then I suggest you find out. This story tackles one of the most morbid of subjects in one of the most hilarious, yet poignant, ways. At times you will be sat almost crying at the tragedy of a situation whilst, at others, you will be laughing out loud, to the amusement of others, at the sheer stupidity of another. The story comprises of four main characters and they are Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ. Each of the four characters is hell bent on suicide and this is, most definitely, the only thing they have in common. Never before have I known... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: funny in places and easy to read
Disadvantages: shies away from any real insight

...The premise of Nick Hornby's new novel is a tenuous one: four strangers meet on New Year's Eve at the top of a tower block known locally as 'Toppers' House'. Each one has ended up there with the intention of hurling themselves over the edge. First up, best planned, and closest to the edge is Martin - a disgraced tv personality - whose last minutes of solitude are disturbed by Maureen who has been looking forward to this event for months. Next comes Jess, who hurtles across the roof in a spur of the moment rush of teenage angst. And last up, to discover Maureen and Martin sitting on Jess to stop her jumping, is JJ - failed musician and pizza boy. What is the etiquette here? Turn a blind eye? Try and talk someone else out of doing what you yourself are set on? This unlikely quartet take some time out from their planned leaps... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful