Reviews

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

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remilauren's review against another edition

5.0

Now that was a very fast read!! I misheard and kept wondering how a book could be written inverse (inverse/reverse). Only when I started reading did I realise, they all meant in verse lol.

Every line was carefully packed with emotions and plot. It's indeed beautiful when you can write a story with so much grief and loss with such a limited set of words. I especially loved the lines that had a hint of double meanings to them!

Each character that appears in the elevator has a story to share on violence. As kids/youngsters, we often believe what's passed on to us. Now this could be issues like biases/discrimination or petty beliefs like superstitions.

**********SPOILERS AHEAD**********

In this story, it's The Rules. But The Rules were the cause of it all, this entire cycle of violence! Seemingly Will understands this too from the beginning but he's conflicted. These encounters push him on to think deeply on his choices. Even the open ending lets the audience decide the course of action for Will, instead of simply telling us.

This book isn't preachy. It gives the audience the story and lets us decide what might happen to Will. In my opinion, (You Coming?) meant Will joining in the cycle of violence and eventually ending up dead. I believe he let go of the ghosts and stayed in the elevator, choosing to break the rules and the cycle of violence. I believe he's therapy after all this trauma and we are probably the doctor he's narrating this story to. I hope this boy lived a fulfilling life here after...

beckeal's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautifully simple book. It could’ve been in straight text, but it would’ve lost something. The verse-style layout helps with rhythm and flow and lets the language move into something way more interesting, intentional, and shared. The underlying plot is as unadorned as they come, which made room for layers and characters and thoughts and memories.
A good book for highschoolers to study… how style and story work together to make magic.

jenmangler's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a powerful and haunting book about a boy who's consumed by grief and rage and confusion about the right move in the wake of his older brother's murder. This is the kind of book you can't put down.

taylorblumberg's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

yellowswagger's review against another edition

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5.0

The fact that the trauma that Will has experienced is a reality for so many bright young people makes these prose all the more heartbreaking.

You know how how sometimes you listen to a sad song even though you know it’s going to make you cry or because it’s going to make you cry? This book is like that, but it’s longer than three minutes and the emotion felt feels more layered like a slow cooked curry.

This book is a darkness that shines.