A LONG WAY DOWN By Nick Hornby

Published : 2005
Pages : 257
Overall Mark : 8/10

Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ have nothing in common, except they all tried to commit suicide at the same time in the same place on New Year’s Eve. When they all decide not to kill themselves, but instead stay alive until Valentine’s Day to see if anything gets better, their lives become irrevocably intertwined to the point that they slowly and grudgingly become friends. The question is; will their friendship last past February 14th?

Considering the subject matter, this was a very entertaining and very amusing novel. As usual Hornby has the right level of comedy and pathos and combines them in such a way that they sneak up on you in the narrative. The characters are unique from each other which furthers the story greatly, and the notion of telling the story from each of their perspectives in alternating chapters gives us a better insight into what each character is thinking.