Abscond, v.:

photo from usedbooksblog.com

Title: A Long Way Down

Author: Nick Hornby

Genre: Dark Comedy

Sneak Peek: Four different individuals that are facing tough challenges in life decide to permanently escape the pain. Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ go on top of London’s famous-suicide building and surprisingly meet each other. Eventually, their first attempt to jump off the rooftop seems to slowly fade away as they take each other’s strange company. But as time goes by, their troubles still seem to be pretty visible. So again, countless plans for dying are floating on the air they breathe and for some strange reason, somehow bind them closer together. In the ups and downs of their sudden eerie “friendship,” more and more decisions and solutions to their imminent deaths continue to pop out of nowhere.

**

This British novel, in my opinion, is perfectly written. It has the right amount of fun journey in finding happiness and crazy characters looking for purpose. No dull scenes, as a matter of fact. And albeit the story travels through different kinds of melancholia, it doesn’t let the readers get depressed—but still could make them (us) feel sad. Unlike other novels that deal with angst, depression and suicide, A Long Way Down has the words of normality that do not force themselves to transform into quotable quotes and magical life lessons. It’s like the characters are really talking to you in a human way—not just a form of fiction. It seems you’re interviewing them, you know what I’m saying?

Nick Hornby (photo from thefilmstage.com)

Nick Hornby really showcased his writing skill in this. Two thumbs up!

**

Favorite Male Character: JJ – because he makes a lot of sense. I mean, they all make sense. It’s just that he says the exact words. Plus he’s cool and closer to my age than Martin.

Favorite Female Character: Jess – I think personally knowing someone like her would be fun. She’s mad and audacious in both great and awful way; just what I look for a bud.

Favorite Scene: The night they all met – It was funny and depressing at the same time. I don’t know how Nick Hornby did that, but it really worked. I guffawed despite the gloomy situation.

**

Rate: 4 out of 5 stars

one of my favorite quotes from the book (photo from tumblr.com)