A Long Way Down
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In defense of A Long Way Down
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Ochrasy wrote: "I'm starting this topic because I can't believe there are so many negative reviews of this novel. Ok, I am probably Nick Hornby's biggest fan, but anyway, I'm going to try and be objective.In my ..."
Ochrasy, I find that there are a lot of negative reviews of a lot of great books on Goodreads. When I think about the nature of reviews and reviewers sometimes, I often wonder if maybe the whole thing isn't biased toward the negative review. After all, most reviewers write reviews because they want to draw attention to their own genius in some ways. And you look smarter if you can poke holes in good books. The better the book, the bigger the target.
At least the book is getting read quite a bit.
I read the book quite some time ago. I remember the premise, and, I remember that I really liked this book. I loved that there were different characters, and they all somehow were trying to mesh together. It reminded me of "The Breakfast Club". I could relate to different aspects of each character. It was a quick and easy read. Entertaining, and insightful. Look what you can do when you mash random people together in an awkward situation! :)
I personally loved this book, parts of it were annoying like using F*** in the book SO much. Yeah, ok I get that it fits the character and some is fine but it was way overused ! Overall tho you are right, when you finish the book you feel like you do know these people.
I really liked this book. I liked the way the idea of four people on a roof, each intending to kill them self, can turn into such a funny, and quirky parable on how life leads us on a path we had not foreseen.
I liked this book a lot. Nick Hornby is fresh, witty, and best of all British. His prose is brilliant. This book does not disappoint in that regard.
I loved this book. Multiple voices, perspectives, problems and attitudes all forced into interacting with each other. Most authors wouldn't dare to try it.Loved this book.
I read this book a while ago and I don't remember much about it. I do remember that I didn't like it as much as I like his other books.
I don't hold too much regard for Hornby, found High Fidelity okay but a bit try hard ish: "LOOK HOW MUCH I KNOW ABOUT MUSIC EVERYONE"But I read A Long Way Down recently and loved it. Thought it was light hearted, laugh out loud funny and doesn't take itself too seriously. A pleasant surprise.
I really liked it, especially all of the characters he brought together. Like Becky, I enjoyed how some parts made me laugh out loud.
I read this years ago so I don't remember the finer details but I've always thought of it as a story that I really enjoyed. I even gave a few copies to friends as gifts. It's the only one of Hornby's books that I've read (I think).
Orchrasy,It just occurred to me to say that if you liked the way Hornby created 4 different voices in this story, you would probably like Barbara Kingsolver's THE POISONWOOD BIBLE, in which she uses the voices of the adult mother in the story, plus 3 or 4 of the children, from a toddler, to some preteens, to a teenage. (Sorry, it's been years since I read it, but I remember being so impressed by how she carried it off. And I felt the same about Hornby.)
For that matter, James Joyce does the same thing in the beginning of PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN--the narrator's voice starts as an infant, and grows up to be a young man.
why are they so many bad reviews? people are stupid!!! Books like All The Bright Places or geography club (which the worst book I managed to finish ever) get 4 stars while this one get 3.5 is the proof of that.
people say stuff like 'this is a bad treatment of suicide' this book is NOT about suicide, you're not supposed to feel sorry for these people like with ATBP, or happy cause awwww look they are now wholesome and everything is warm butterfleis like a John Green book.
Like all good writers, Hornby uses such topics to deal with more broad issues which affects everyone, even people without suicidle thoughts.
Also, these people expect characters to be love-able, which is not the same as relate-able. Again, see ATBP or John Green. These people probably just don't wanna admit they also have these flaws in them, this what happened to me first time I read it, or tried to read it actually. I was 17 and couldn't stand Jess cause she was so much like me, and I didn't wanna see such a clear mirror of all my flaws.
So, yeah, like most things in life people are stupid and we are better ;)
I enjoyed this book too. Hornby is a mix for me, some of his books I adore others I didn't enjoy one bit.But I liked this one a lot.
Noam,there may be something to your theory that people who cannot see their own flaws reflected in a character reject that character.
Personally, I liked this book and all its characters right from the first page. I did not see myself really in any of these people so perhaps it caused me no pain to appreciate their interactions.
one thing I have learned from being on Goodreads is that any book will invoke a multiplicity of reactions. This is still my favorite book of Nick Hornby.
Silvio111 wrote: "Orchrasy,It just occurred to me to say that if you liked the way Hornby created 4 different voices in this story, you would probably like Barbara Kingsolver's THE POISONWOOD BIBLE, in which she us..."
Thanks for the exciting recommendations.
SharHops wrote: "I read the book quite some time ago. I remember the premise, and, I remember that I really liked this book. I loved that there were different characters, and they all somehow were trying to mesh to..."Thanks for the valuable recommendation.
some people find the characters to be problematic and the way suicide was handled not so great. The thing is, the characters are supposed to be problematic, like the old lady IS sort of homophobic.I personally found the book entertaining and I enjoy Nick Hornby's work. This book might not be for everyone, especially when the characters are meant to not be "likeable".
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In my opinion, the greatest feature of this amazing novel is how a single person (the writer) is able to talk through four characters that are SO different. I can't help hating Jess because of her childish behaviour but at the same time I admire the way Hornby describes her through her speech.
I mean, once you finish the book you get the feeling that you know them so well, that they've unravelled their deepest thoughts to you. Each of them has their own way of speaking and thinking and it's funny how they get along so well and care about one another even though they have nothing in common.
Truth is I don't understand why some people hate this book but maybe it's just they don't understand it.