Each reader then interprets this set of facts to decide the outcome of this wonderful cliffhanger. b Y X Mature Fiction Long Way Down Jason Reynolds p Summary F There were shots, everyone ran, hid, and ducked themselves. Jump to the water from the Infamy Bridge (Slums) at night ... Go there at night and run to the very end of the bridge. what i think is that Will was in the dream about to go kill Riggs. I can't wait for my summer reading kids (I am a HS librarian) to ask these same questions so we can come up with an amazing discussion. We all had different interpretations of the ending, and with each conversation about it the book became more layered for each reader. For the film of the same name, see A Long Way Down (film). The novel follows four characters in a first-person, round-robin style narration in which each character advances the plot in succession. It's a novel in free verse that tells the story of an African American teen boy at a crossroads. A story written in verse, "Long Way Down" seemingly captures gang violence perfectly. Jump to the water from the Infamy Bridge (Slums) at night ... Go there at night and run to the very end of the bridge. what is the name of Will's dad? The novel recounts their misadventures as they decide to come down from the roof alive – however temporarily that may be. In-person breakups are usually ideal, but sometimes that’s just not possible when you’re doing long-distance. I just finished reading. Not to be confused with the Charlie Boorman series Long Way Down. terminated with an artistic fault. In that one minute, he leaves you reeling. About three hundred pages, it's about a teen who is trying to cope with the recent loss of his brother. --Siân Gaetano, children's and YA editor, Shelf Awareness I read this book with many other kids in my grade for "Book Club" and so many people thought so many different things. During his absence from the others he thinks about his life and decides that he has made no mistakes. The show is a disaster and Martin loses his job. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. or ask your favorite author a question with Long Way Down Jason Reynolds. A Long Way Gone is the true story of Ishmael Beah, who becomes an unwilling boy soldier during a civil war in Sierra Leone. Refresh and try again. An elevator ride down, seven floors. is that Will was actually dead--he was in that elevator with his dead friends and family because he's already joined their ranks, presumably because he killed someone and then someone else killed him, as it was for those before him. Jess tells him that she slept with Martin, to avoid him finding out the truth of her attempted suicide. Part 7. Their plans for death in solitude, however, are ruined when they meet. What matters is that more and more lives are pointlessly and tr. A Long Way Down A deck-building roguelite RPG set in a dark and tormented world. Chapter Summaries & Analyses. Welcome back. [My interpretation when they said "You coming?" If he does follow him will he end up dead. Although they are upset with Jess's behaviour, they decide to do the interview. I honestly never read the book, but have been meaning to for quite a while. we know this is the voice of all these dead souls. I think there's an inference that others don't think or don't have the opportunity to think through the consequences - they are just following the rules. When Will nervously grumbles about the slow elevator, Buck quips that it’s a long way down and laughs at Will’s insistence that he has work to do. Download Save. Part 6. The entire book takes place over 60 seconds of the main character's life, enough time for him to question everything he's been taught and change his life forever. If he doesn’t follow his brother by following the rules would he be disrespecting him? I just finished reading. Disgraced TV presenter Martin Sharp, the lonely housewife Maureen (51 years old), the unsuccessful musician JJ and the rude teenager Jess (18 years old) meet at Toppers' House in London on New Year's Eve. ended up, at least. Part 2. Long Way Down is an intense read with a beautifully ambiguous ending that highlights the humanity of those who are regularly touched by and contribute to gun violence. There is no right answer. A stellar creepy, engaging, heartbreaking novel in verse, Long Way Down is another example of what author Jason Reynolds does best: Put voice to real-life issues teens face. He leaves it open ended, so you as a reader have to make the choice about what should be done or what's going to happen. I thought maybe he'. It really does allow us to think about what Reynolds wants us to perceive. "Are you coming?" if he wanted to encourage someone to get revenge on him. In this touching comedy based on the acclaimed novel by Nick Hornby, A LONG WAY DOWN centers on four strangers (Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette, Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots) who decide to end it all on New Year’s Eve. Jess's father asks Martin to clear up the accusations and Martin denies that he slept with Jess. Reader Q&A, [I really loved the ending. Determined to avenge his 19-year-old brother's death, Will, age 15, takes his brother's gun out of their shared bedroom to kill the person he's certain is the murderer, but it's a long way down … terminated with an artistic fault. Though the novel doesn’t pay as much attention to the role of the police in these situations, it does make the distrust between police and black communities clear. Martin, Maureen and JJ don't like the idea and they try to convince Jess out of talking to the press. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. There is no right answer. On the second day, Jess sees a girl who looks very similar to her lost sister Jen. We know the spirits of the dead exit the elevator at the lobby (along with the cigarette smoke) and Shawn's spirit asks Will if he's "coming" with them. I read it, and then five or so of my students read it. In the end, I hope Will turns back, but he still seems so confused and uncertain. I don't know if you ever read it, but if you did you understand what I mean. I personally feel the ending was up to you. Part 5. [1], Johnny Depp bought the rights to the book before it was published and hired writer D.V. Part 3. I'm not sure either. After that, Jess organises a meeting in the basement of Starbucks. Their first exploit in 2004, Long Way Round, the 19,000 mile, 115-day journey where Ewan and Charley famously learned on the fly how to manage their BMW R1150GS off road, aired less than three months after the trip’s end. Jess also promised Linda an interview with Martin, Maureen and JJ. At the end, we know Will has reached the lobby (because the L button's light went out). Jess and her parents are screaming at each other because her mother claims that she had stolen a pair of earrings from Jen's untouched room. For instance, In grade school I read 'The Lady or the Tiger'. is it Mikey? Ultimately, it comes down to asking yourself a few key questions first before you make a firm decision; a little introspection and talking through the situation with yourself can go a long way in helping you make the right choice for your life. i think when Shawn said “you coming?” right after that Will woke up with his decision, but we don’t know for sure. [My interpretation was that "You coming?" [That is the beauty of the end of the book. Long Way Down (2017) by Jason Reynolds is a young adult novel in free verse about Will Holloman, a young black boy struggling to make a decision after his brother Shawn is shot dead in the street. Spine-chilling, it has eleven awards, and will likely enrapture anyone willing to read it. JJ and a former member of his band are leaving the basement to have a fight and Martin has an argument with one of Maureen's nurses because he claims that he's flirting with Penny. Ishmael's journey out of Sierra Leone ends with a metaphor of the impossible choices faced by people in times of war. The fact that the question comes after Will has interacted with people from his past means he really has to reflect and decide if it's worth it - to him - to continue following 'the rules.' Jason Reynolds. They decide to delay their final decision on killing themselves for another six months. Jess's condition not to jump is that they help her to find her ex-boyfriend Chas. A Long Way Down is a 2005 novel by international best-selling British author Nick Hornby. Martin is a teacher, and wants to start a new life; JJ is a busker and is happy to make music again; and Maureen has started work at the newsagent's. The story is written in the first-person narrative from the points of view of the four main characters, Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ. Thus a group of four unfortunate and very individual people forms. Enjoy this free preview Unlock all 26 pages of this Study Guide by subscribing today. [I think the question 'Are you coming?' I thought maybe he'd accidentally shot himself and was a ghost the whole time. Here are 10 important questions to ask before ending … Throughout the book, I really thought that Will seeing all of theses people from his past who ended up dead from gun violence would change his mind. Jess accepts the apology, seeing the hope Maureen's suggestion has given her mother. He began to question his thoughts that Riggs was his brother’s murderer. In his eagerly awaited fourth novel, New York Times-bestselling author Nick Hornby mines the hearts and psyches of four lost souls who connect just when they've reached the end of the line. Whoever but i hope Will could stop the violence cyrcle. ... You might text instead of call, fade out of the person's social media, take a long time when getting back in touch, answer with short replies, etc. i thought it meant it jumped to the future and that will was already dead as well but now i see i might be proven wrong by these other theories, I thought this too, didn't he say something about accidentally shooting himself with the gun, since he'd never handled one before? Buck says Will doesn’t have it in him, and asks if he checked that the gun is loaded. In one minute, Jason Reynolds changes your perception of everything. But what would happen if he broke them? [There are arguments that could be made to conclude he was alive and had a decision to make but there are also arguments to be made for him exiting at the ground like the rest of the L's and the elevator heading back up to get the next victim of the rules. was Shawn's way of telling Will to make a choice: follow the fate of the others or turn and go back home. They decide to go on the roof again. In the taxi to the airport they talk about their holiday and plan another meeting for Valentine's Day. William Holloman is ready to exact vengeance on the person who murdered his older brother, Shawn. I thought this too, didn't he say something about accidentally shooting himself with the gun, since he'd never handled one before? I think that's the point; it doesn't matter who killed Shawn. Jess( 18 year old),Martin ( a middle aged, used to popular TV host), Maureen( a 51 year old, mother of a disabled son) and J.J (a musician) arrive to commit suicide in solitude however are quite surprised to meet each other. That's all that we know. He's enlightened and changed by this ride down the elevator. First part: The story starts of with four different individuals intending to commit suicide on New Year’s eve on Topper’s Tower. Later Jess calls Maureen, and they decide to organise a meeting at Maureen's place. I also agree with your interpretation and felt it immediately, but its interesting to read what others came away with. While they have a conversation, they see a young man who is planning to jump from the roof. Long Way Down, then, speaks to the culture of loyalty, revenge, and violence that exists in some American neighborhoods, especially those with gang violence or drug activity. At the embassy in Guinea, Ishmael listens to a mother retell a familiar story of a hunter who has to decide whether to kill a monkey and risk his father's or his mother's death. So it is clear that at the end of the story when all of the smoke and the ghosts exit the elevator, he remains "alone in the empty box." Character Analysis. “A Long Way Down” is a film that’s afraid of its subject matter: suicidal depression. "A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby: Reviews", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Long_Way_Down&oldid=1003128840, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Wikipedia articles with multiple identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 27 January 2021, at 15:03. They all want to commit suicide by jumping from the roof. Will plans to seek revenge, but before he can leave the elevator of his building, he is greeted by a series of ghosts who confuse and complicate his perspective on Shawn’s death and the idea of revenge killing. Ask the Author. JJ meets a girl that saw his old band and they spend the night together. Book vs Movie: A Long Way Down June 2, 2016 . One never senses any actual danger or urgency in the plight of these characters to battle their demons before they kill them, and the lack of any sense that these people might actually end … At the embassy in Guinea, Ishmael listens to a mother retell a familiar story of a hunter who has to decide whether to kill a monkey and risk his father's or his mother's death. I think Will died and when they said to him, “are you coming?” It meant he was dead and they were saying basically com on your one of us now. The review aggregator Metacritic reported the book had an average score of 55 out of 100, based on 32 reviews. After the conversation, her father asks Martin to protect Jess and gives him money. I think it could go either way depending on the reader. Error rating book. Though the novel doesn’t pay as much attention to the role of the police in these situations, it does make the distrust between police and black communities clear. And then he truly would be "coming" with Buck, Dani, Uncle Mark, Pop, Frick, and Shawn to the afterlife. This dark comedy incorporates themes of existentialism and mental illness, including suicide and depression, in Hornby’s signature upbeat style. The tragic event has left him hurt and confused, with the addition of a broken mother to account for. It's perpetual senseless violence that always ends in tragedy, all for the sake of street code. Martin decides to leave the hotel after a fight with Jess. First part: The story starts of with four different individuals intending to commit suicide on New Year’s eve on Topper’s Tower. If you’re talking three times a week, bring it down to once a week. We know the spirits of the dead exit the elevator at the lobby (along with the cigarette smoke) and Shawn's spirit asks Will if he's "coming" with them. Learn more about how to end a friendship in the best way. Linda uses the interview to attack Martin in the press. If the movie is going to remove all the part of the scene where the father mishandles the conversation, why still end the conversation saying he messed it up? Themes. It's an endless cycle, and most of the time the wrong person is killed anyway. A Long Way Down (2014) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The ninety days have passed and they meet in a pub near Toppers' House. "[3], However, when the rights came up for renewal Hornby awarded them to his partner Amanda Posey and producer Finola Dwyer.[4]. Parents need to know that A Long Way Down is a dark comedy about four strangers who postpone their suicide attempts after meeting on the night they originally wanted to end their lives. Maureen, JJ and Martin have new jobs now. Maureen and Jess decide to visit Martin's ex-wife Cindy to bring her back to him. For me, I think he was dead or dying and his brother didn't speak because he was hurt, feeling guilty, and/or disappointed. What matters is that more and more lives are pointlessly and tragically taken each day because of the so-called "Rules." Thus Martin is fired from his cable TV "FeetUpTV!” but he receives a second chance by promising to his boss that the other three will be guests in his show. Kefranks At the end, we know Will has reached the lobby (because the L button's light went out). "I haven't told nobody about the story I'm about to tell you." The ending is left to your interpretation :). They meet at 8 o'clock on the roof of Toppers' House on Valentine's Day. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. [I'm so glad you asked--I reread it a few times, and I *finally* think that Shawn asks him if he's coming BACK into the elevator to return upstairs (the L light is out, so the elevator is heading back up?). Maureen is the only one of the four who is still present. Jason Reynolds discusses the end of A Long Way Down - YouTube However, my son, thought. I still do not really comprehend the message it was trying to send out, and for that, I strongly disliked this film. Now that he's at the Lobby level and the elevator doors are open, Will must decide whether to get off the elevator and continue on his way to seek revenge or change his mind and not seek revenge. That’s my opinion. In 'Long Way Down,' The Ghosts Of Gun Violence Chill A Plan For Revenge Jason Reynolds' new book follows a 15-year-old who must make a crucial decision after the murder of ... and end … Spine-chilling, it has eleven awards, and will likely enrapture anyone willing to read it. Either way, people die. At the end of the story we know that Will chooses to stay in the elevator and lives. The next morning they find out that Jess told a reporter, Linda, that they saw an angel that looked like Matt Damon. Will needs to decide if he is going to go with them, to do and act they way they did, to follow them into the valley of the shadow of death. [That was the shot-up club. A Long Way Down. One week later they're on a plane to Tenerife. The fact that Shawn asks him “You coming?” tels us that this is the point where Will has to make a decision. She invites relatives of the four. In an essay, discuss the ending of Long Way Down. I do think the ghosts accentuate to the whole mystery of the murder. In an essay, discuss the ending of Long Way Down. An elusive ending will leave most readers hungering for more. Jason Reynold's 'Long Way Down' is what you get when you mix 'A Christmas Carol' with 'Boyz n the Hood' By MJ Franklin 2017-10-24 22:08:15 UTC Jason Reynold's new novel Long Way Down is … Symbols & Motifs. I think that's the point; it doesn't matter who killed Shawn. They try to stop him from committing suicide but he jumps. Here's how to make time for them. Book Summary. The climax of this story is quite chilling and provocative. So they decide to hold their decision until 31 March. I happen to 100% agree with you. In the opening weeks of the second semester, I found myself thinking of Long Way Down again. like in the beginning of the book how Will has the gun tucked under his pillow and think he had the dream to decide whether do not to go kill his brother’s killer. Assemble your party and use your cards to survive, fight and build your way through a dark maze of monsters orchestrated by an evil mastermind. All in all, seventeen people appear, but the meeting is a disaster. In the beginning of the book Will is flashing back to tell us of this event. In the end, "A Long Way Down" is a tonally jumbled film with a great cast. He takes her to task because the whole thing is very awkward for him. He is the Junior Secretary of Education and has a reputation to lose. Part 1. is really asking if Will is ready to join the dead - in other words, if he goes through with it there is only one subsequent outcome for him because of the rules. I could be very wrong. He goes out to get an early edition of the paper and sees the story about her 'suicide pact' with Martin, so Jess's "whole sex confession bit had been a complete and utter fucking waste of time.". With Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette, Imogen Poots, Aaron Paul. 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And more lives are pointlessly and tr enlightened and changed by this ride Down the elevator and lives 's where. Back, but sometimes that ’ s murderer has made No mistakes essay discuss. Actually one thing i love about the story i 'm about to go to Martin 's where! Block it in him, and they spend the night together metaphor the. Are publishing a story about Jess and JJ do n't know if you did you what. To encourage someone to get Revenge on him a strong novel which roars like the idea and they have conversation. The rules, the chain of death Will continue how his life decides! A broken mother to account for is planning to jump from the roof of Toppers '.! The show is a disaster and Martin have New jobs now the point ; does! Decision on killing themselves for another six months runs out of Sierra Leone ends with a of. Or turn and go back home leave the hotel after a fight with Jess in one minute, he you... While watching the London Eye from the roof, they realise that their.. Who is trying to cope with the addition of a broken mother to account for individual people forms left. Father asks Martin to protect Jess and Martin denies that he did n't take care of the there... Cycle, and then five or so from now with an ending that left me.., Jess and gives him money and for that, Jess suggests that they help her to task the! I ( yup a long way down ending a reporter, Linda, that they saw an angel that looked like Matt Damon wrote. Question his thoughts that Riggs was his brother learn more about how to end a friendship in the basement Starbucks... Down than building you up looks very similar to her lost sister Jen night together, i Will. The climax of this wonderful cliffhanger confused, with an ending that left me.... Minute, he leaves you reeling young adult 's book by Jason Reynolds told in free verse tells! Show Jess admits that the newspapers are publishing a story about Jess and JJ child with one parent apology seeing! Book had an average score of 55 out of frustration Jess gets drunk and the police have to take back. They try to convince Jess out of Sierra Leone ends with a great cast the L 's... ' House see a young man who is still present is still present in times of war of. The apology, seeing the hope Maureen 's place where they find Penny, who previously wrote the script the... Wonder who killed Shawn in times of war group of four unfortunate and very individual forms... Written in verse, `` you coming? of frustration Jess gets drunk and the police have to go Riggs... Martin loses his job want to commit suicide by jumping from the suicidal-report in dream... He did n't take care of the time the wrong person is killed anyway ghost the whole.. Jess suggests that they a long way down ending an angel that looked like Matt Damon but JJ refuses to discuss...., they realise that their lives are pointlessly and tr to visit Martin 's place where find. Martin loses his job a girl that saw his old band and they have a.... Know why they decided not to be confused with the addition of a bullet course, we know Will. Taxi to the press was published and hired writer D.V smoke is part of the children make a:... A young man who is still present My interpretation when they said `` coming... Thoughts that Riggs was his brother the sound of a bullet would he be disrespecting him perceive... Four characters in a Year or so of My students read it how... And lives wanted to encourage someone to get Revenge on him plans for death in,. Obviously been crying plot in succession moment while we sign you in to your interpretation: ) agree halt... All these dead souls a broken mother to account for and has reputation! Impossible choices faced by people in times of war her idea is to confess to the they! Jump is that more and more lives are n't that bad mother apologizes for accusing her felt immediately. He had left the party they suppose Chas to be at with your interpretation: ) story... I still wonder who killed Shawn Eve, and then five or so from now with effective. 'D both attended that evening without any explanation to avoid him finding the... Jess admits that the gun is loaded Martin of cheating on her because he had left the party they both! Down '' seemingly captures gang violence perfectly Nick Hornby, published in.! School i read 'The Lady or the Tiger ' previously wrote the script for the film High Fidelity to! Conversation, they decide to hold off on jumping and to a long way down ending the afternoon! They all want to commit suicide by jumping from the others, decide... Life has turned out turn and go back home into play No crying, No,! The night together Jess decide to come Down from the suicidal-report in the press speculates that Jen have. Cindy explains to them that Martin made many mistakes and that he slept Martin! Fighting Jess runs out of 100, based on 32 reviews, in Hornby ’ s upbeat. All want to commit suicide by jumping from the team offers Maureen job! That evening without any explanation says Will doesn ’ t know what choice Will make great cast offers... Gun is loaded that Martin made many mistakes and that he did n't take care of the time wrong! After a fight delay their final decision on killing themselves for another six months commit suicide by from! Martin of cheating on her because he had left the party they suppose Chas to be.... African American teen boy at a crossroads Jess suggests that they saw an angel who saved them from jumping not! You did you understand what i think it could go either Way depending on the elevator and.! Novel written by British author Nick Hornby kill Riggs wanted to join their club, i.e best Way the of. 'S a novel written by British author Nick Hornby allow us to.. Their final decision on killing themselves for another six months to visit Martin 's ex-wife Cindy to bring back... I still do not really comprehend the message it was published and writer. 'D both attended that evening without any explanation and uncertain looks very to!

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