A review by drleonj
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A scandal-plagued television personality goes to the roof of a tower block in London on New Year’s Eve to kill himself, but before he can do the deed, he meets three others who have gone there for the same reason. None of them have anything in common other than their wish to die and their inability to follow through, so they decide to band together for thirty days to see if they feel any better or still wish to go through with it. Thus begins Hornby’s ‘odd couple’ - or more accurately ‘odd quartet’ - narrative. Each of the four take turns narrating chapters, which helps us see them as they see themselves but also as they come across to others. The result is often painful, since each of the characters is pretty damaged, yet even the most objectionable of them have redeeming qualities, and at least one has a heart of gold. Also, the novel is often funny -hilarious even - although a wince almost always follows a chuckle. And although this is by no means an easy read, since it makes very few concessions to unrealistic plot twists or Hollywood endings, Hornby’s novel is both wise, and, ultimately hopeful. This definitely isn’t a novel for anyone. Although I’m a suicide attempt survivor myself and liked this book a lot, many who are emotionally fragile will find it tough reading, while those who insist on likable or consistently pleasant characters will be better off staying far away. But for an unflinching yet often humorous exploration of what, if anything, makes life worth living, A Long Way Down is a great novel. 
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