Kefranks answers “I'm not sure I quite understand the...”

Megan asked this question about Long Way Down:

I'm not sure I quite understand the ending, could someone explain to me what happened?

Kefranks At the end, we know Will has reached the lobby (because the L button's light went out). We know the spirits of the dead exit the elevator at the lobby…moreAt the end, we know Will has reached the lobby (because the L button's light went out). We know the spirits of the dead exit the elevator at the lobby (along with the cigarette smoke) and Shawn's spirit asks Will if he's "coming" with them. Now that he's at the Lobby level and the elevator doors are open, Will must decide whether to get off the elevator and continue on his way to seek revenge or change his mind and not seek revenge. That's all that we know. Each reader then interprets this set of facts to decide the outcome of this wonderful cliffhanger.

By asking Will if he is coming, I interpret that to mean Shawn's spirit is asking Will if he is going to move forward with his revenge plot to certain death. The ride down on the elevator has allowed Will to second guess his plan to kill Riggs. This reader hopes Will decides not to. But the author's conclusion is powerful because it doesn't wrap things up neatly and give us the final outcome.

I am going to see Long Way Down as a play at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if the play leaves the audience guessing what Will will do. (less)

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Amanda Maria will starts the book by telling us the story, so he choose to live
Dec 26, 2021 01:56PM · flag

Kefranks In an interview, the author said he purposefully left in an open question.
Dec 26, 2021 03:58PM · flag

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