Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27332 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-06
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Synopsis
'Can I explain why I wanted to jump off the top of a tower block?' For disgraced TV presenter Martin Sharp the answer's pretty simple: he has, in his own words, pissed his life away'. And on New Year's Eve, he's going to end it all. But not, as it happens, alone. Because first single-mum Maureen, then eighteen-year-old Jess and lastly American rock-god JJ turn up and crash Martin's private party. They've stolen his idea, but brought their own reasons. Yet it's hard to jump when you've got an audience queuing impatiently behind you. A few heated words and some slices of cold pizza later, and these four strangers are suddenly allies. But is their unlikely friendship a good enough reason to carry on living?

Customer Reviews

Good Plot but Lousy Characters
Have to confess I'm disappointed with this outing from Nick Hornby. Normally I find the characters quite likeable in his novels, but in this one I found them dull and irritating, and wanted to skip their interventions, which was a problem seeing as they're the narrators of the story itself. The storyline, that of four people gatecrashing each others's suicide bid, is a commendably original one as always from Hornby, but don't be fooled by the blurb on the back of the book. Some of the dialogue between the characters is absolutely dire and I was fed up of reading swear words.

Hornby set a high standard with "About a Boy" and "How to be Good", both excellent books. "A Long Way Down" falls well below it. I hope the next one will be better.

A Long Way Down
I'm afraid I couldn't even get halfway through this book due to the ludicrous storyline and characterisation. Really liked About A Boy and High Fidelity, but this one should be avoided (as should How To Be Good)

A Topping Great Chuckle
When four people decide to commit suicide by jumping off the Toppers building on New Years Eve, you get the most unlikliest mix of people you could ever imagine.
And what follows is the constant up-to-the-moment viewpoint from all four jumpees, right the way through the book.

And it's an absolute HOOT!!!

I loved it: nonsensical and silly in parts, heart-rending in others, but all in all a great fun-read. And yet there's a serious message underneath it all - but why trouble yourself with it? - just enjoy the banter and the togetherness - I couldn't wait to get back to it - it just brings a smile to your face.
Enjoy.