Suicide and humor are two words not often associated with each other, but Nick Hornby takes the pair on in his novel A Long Way Down, a dark comedy about suicide and life after a failed attempt. The book is narrated by four characters taking turns telling the story in their voice. The resulting hodgepodge gang includes Martin, a quasi celebrity who loses everything after an affair with a fifteen-year old girl; Maureen, the middle-aged mother of a severely disabled son; Jess, an obnoxious teenager living recklessly to avoid her reality of a missing sister; and JJ, the American and aspiring musician who's found himself lonely and alone in England. This unexpected group meets on New Year's Eve on the roof of the well-known suicide spot Topper's House, where each has gone separately with the intention of ending their lives. The four agree to at least postpone their plans once they realize they'd be jumping in front of a crowd. Becoming a sort of support system for each other, the......
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Approximate Word Count: 977
Approximate Pages: 4 (260 words per double-spaced page) |