Scan barcode
A review by divine529
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Wow. It's going to be hard to figure out what to say for this book, but I'll try.
First things first, this book is about Will, our main protagonist, after his brother Shawn was shot and killed. He plans to get revenge, and while he's in the elevator getting ready to go kill his brother's killer, he encounters people from his past on each floor.
The writing of this was so good. I've come to realized I really enjoy novels in verse, and that's what this was. Beautiful, heartbreaking and powerful verse that really sucks you in.
The setting of this was so unique. The majority of this book took place in an elevator and it was such a powerful setting to choose. I really liked it a lot. The metaphor of it was just brilliant.
The plot was also great, although subtle. The majority of this book took place in an elevator, but getting glimpses of Will's past through the ghosts of other people who got into the elevator with him was brilliant.
Finally, the characters. At it's core, this book was a character centric book. It's hard to talk about all of them without spoilers, but I loved the interactions of all of the characters with Will and with each other. For such a short work, Reynolds really knows how to show the complexities of characters and their relationships very well.
All in all, an absolutely fantastic book, and one everyone should read.
First things first, this book is about Will, our main protagonist, after his brother Shawn was shot and killed. He plans to get revenge, and while he's in the elevator getting ready to go kill his brother's killer, he encounters people from his past on each floor.
The writing of this was so good. I've come to realized I really enjoy novels in verse, and that's what this was. Beautiful, heartbreaking and powerful verse that really sucks you in.
The setting of this was so unique. The majority of this book took place in an elevator and it was such a powerful setting to choose. I really liked it a lot. The metaphor of it was just brilliant.
The plot was also great, although subtle. The majority of this book took place in an elevator, but getting glimpses of Will's past through the ghosts of other people who got into the elevator with him was brilliant.
Finally, the characters. At it's core, this book was a character centric book. It's hard to talk about all of them without spoilers, but I loved the interactions of all of the characters with Will and with each other. For such a short work, Reynolds really knows how to show the complexities of characters and their relationships very well.
All in all, an absolutely fantastic book, and one everyone should read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence