by Jen Shark
Daily Lobo
When we walked into our first class last week, we all shared the same thought: wanting out.
The four main characters in Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down don't expect to find each other with the same purpose of ending their lives at North London's most popular suicide spot on New Year's Eve. Martin, Maureen, JJ and Jess set aside their intentions for a chat and some pizza.
Each character has his or her own issues and reasons for being there. Martin feels there is no other choice after he had everything - a family and a high-paying job - then lost it all. Maureen, the good Catholic, can no longer cope with the hardships of raising a disabled child. JJ, the American, brings along pizza and many problems of his own, such as the failure of his rock 'n' roll career. Finally, Jess feels being a teenager is too much to bear, and the alcohol in her system leads her to the top of the building.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
As different as each character is, they all share the same conclusion - there is no way out. Slowly, each character's own situation and experiences seem to help the others out. The four begin to realize there are still things to live for, and those things can change for the better.
Along with their situations, there is something in the characters the reader can identify with, which makes Hornby the good writer he is. There is a true connection to Hornby's words that puts the reader right inside the mind of the characters. This book is easy to read and amazingly honest.
The only problem I have with it is that the characters lack independent voices. At times, I found myself confused as to who was talking. I was not expecting an emotional teenager to have the same speech tendencies as an older mother who went to church every Sunday.
However, Hornby's writing is exceptionally witty and true to heart. It is incredible how four extraordinarily different characters can have so much in common. Hornby mixes humor and pain into a delightful story. A Long Way Down tackles a very serious subject and somehow tries to beat down the very fears and pains that many humans share.
This book is incredibly appropriate for this time of year, when we are asking ourselves questions about life, death, friends, love and our purpose in this world. I would definitely recommend it for someone looking for a quick read and some sympathy as they try to conquer another semester.
I am not claiming this book is a scholarly novel, but it definitely hits many problems we all face in life that are not always brought up in such books. It will definitely please anyone who is not necessarily a big reader. A Long Way Down will remind readers never to underestimate the power of conversation and a good slice of pizza.
