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ADORKABLE GRRL · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:49 pm Post subject: 1. A LONG WAY DOWN - Nick Hornby

A LONG WAY DOWN
Nick Hornby

I have to say that I was pretty disappointed with Nick Hornby's latest novel -- I've been a big fan of his writing in the past -- hell, I even liked How to Be Good... which is saying something -- because NO one liked that novel. (At least not the people I know who read it.)

I would have rather this book be titled "A Long Way Done." As I was so not into it in the slightest that it took me forever to finish. (Sometimes I have a habit of putting books that don't interest me aside - but, I made a NY resolution that I was not going to do that in '06 - which would account why it's taken me a month to complete my first in the 26 of '06.)

This is a story - told in perspectives (a chapter at a time) - of four individuals who find themselves at a crossroads... as the title may indicate - suicide is the prevalent theme.

The characters have a variety of legitimate reasons for wanting to kill themselves - but, when they find themselves in the same place at the same time, trying to do the same thing - they decide, instead (and somewhat regretfully to this reader,) to band together for ninety days of mediocre adventures - after which they will decide if they really do wish to off themselves.

Hornby has a lot of good set up - the characters are strong & anti-compatible (as opposites which fit together in archetypes) - there is a wealth of stories about each which could have been told... JJ and his band, Maureen and the failed relationship which left her with an invalid son, Martin the TV presenter who shagged a teenager & Jess the foul-mouthed teenager who's sister disappeared... lots of stories which could have been extrapolated from those set-ups... instead it's a lot of sniveling and whining and repeating the same synopsis which another character has had in a previous section.

This book was all set-up.
The climax was pretty lame.
The resolution was vague (which in some cases I don't mind that much - but, the rest of the book sucked so much that it left me going "What the fuck?")

Some interesting stuff and a slight change in writing style occurs two-thirds through the book -- making it a little more tolerable towards the end -- or, maybe it was that I knew the end was in sight. Who knows?

Bad book from a once great author.
Not worth the $23 my Mom spent on it as a Christmas gift for me.
I would not advise anyone else on this LISTSERV to peruse it.

NEXT UP FOR ME:
An Unreasonable Woman: A True Story of Shrimpers, Politicos, Polluters and the Fight for Seadrift, Texas
by Diane Wilson
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HER ROYAL KATENESS, QUEEN OF ALL SHE SURVEYS

jeffp · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:01 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the 26 in 06 forum!

I hope the next book is more to your taste!

--jeffp

Bea · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:12 pm Post subject:

Waaaahoooooo!

It's nice to see your little virtual form floating around here. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

You should read some more atwood. She's really one of the few people left in fiction that can do it for me.
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I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.

ADORKABLE GRRL · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:56 pm Post subject:

ADORKABLE GRRL · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:57 pm Post subject:

Aw, Jenners.

I've not tried Atwood yet - I think she's later in my list for this year, though.

XO,
K
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HER ROYAL KATENESS, QUEEN OF ALL SHE SURVEYS