A Long Way Down

By: Nick Hornby

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Simon Vance, Kate Reading

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

In his eagerly awaited fourth novel, New York Times best-selling author Nick Hornby mines the hearts and psyches of four lost souls who connect just when they've reached the end of the line.

Meet Martin, JJ, Jess, and Maureen. Four people who come together on New Year's Eve: a former TV talk show host, a musician, a teenage girl, and a mother. Three are British, one is American. They encounter one another on the roof of Topper's House, a London destination famous as the last stop for those ready to end their lives.

In four distinct and riveting first-person voices, Nick Hornby tells a story of four individuals confronting the limits of choice, circumstance, and their own mortality. This is a tale of connections made and missed, punishing regrets, and the grace of second chances.

Intense, hilarious, provocative, and moving, A Long Way Down is a novel about suicide that is, surprisingly, full of life.

©2005 Nick Hornby (P)2005 Penguin Audio and Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"One New Year’s Eve, four people with very different reasons but a common purpose find their way to the top of a fifteen-story building in London. None of them has calculated that, on a date humans favor for acts of significance, in a place known as a local suicide-jumpers’ favorite, they might encounter company. A Long Way Down is the story of what happens next, and of what doesn’t." (The New York Times Book Review)

“It’s like The Breakfast Club rewritten by Beckett.... What makes the book work is Hornby’s refusal to give an inch to sentimentality or cheap inspirational guff." (Time)

"A dramatic, sad and thoroughly side-splitting novel." (Newsday)

Simple fun

I enjoyed this book and all of the personalities involved in the story. Nothing heavy, just plain, easy entertainment.

Funny, surprisingly light, entertaining

What did you love best about A Long Way Down?

Of course, one rather dreads a story about people planning suicide, wondering how emotionally draining it might be. Hornby manages to give his characters such a light touch, and there's so much humor, that the novel is great fun. Probably not a very realistic portrayal of the emotional state of most people seriously contemplating suicide, but a fun story.

About Suicide but Not Depressing

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Maureen, which may not be the first choice for other readers.She wasn't the most fun or multi-faceted character. But I liked her because I related the most to her. She was a good person who did everything you're 'supposed' to do in life, followed all the rules, but in the end she was just dealt a bad hand in life, seemingly all the way around. Her reason for wanting to end it all is simply because her burdens were just top great to bear. I think a lot of people can relate to that, the idea that life is overwhelming sometimes.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I think I'll always remember finding this book on a day I didn't feel so far off from suicide myself. It made me feel a lot better. Looking up support online was just depressing. This book was just what I needed at the time.

Any additional comments?

This book is about four people from different walks of life and different ages, who all intend to commit suicide on the same night at the same place. They make a non-suicide pact to stay alive for six more weeks, and the story follows them from the night of their intended suicides and alerternates first person narratives between each of the four main characters. In this way, you are able to get into the head of each character and see what their reasons for depression are, see what their life is like. Although to be honest, some don't seem that depressed at all. This novel is a lighthearted way to read about a not-so-light hearted topic. Depression is just a part of life for most of us at one point or another, and this book reminded me that it's not as lonesome of human experience as I thought.It's about suicide but it's not depressing. Despite the subject matter it's somehow still a fun, light, enjoyable read. I laughed out loud at points. It put a smile on my face. I took one star off of the story just because I wasn't sure how I felt about the ending. I didn't have strong feelings about it one way or the other, but i wanted to.

This was sooo excellent!

My first book by this author - now I can't wait to hear more! Story was great - funny, interesting, thought provoking! Characters were wonderful - hated for it to end. Narrators were top notch as well was the production. I highly recomment this audio book!

Does Not Disappoint

Nick Hornby does it again. Though this book is a bit dark, it is one of the funniest books I've read/heard in ages. Great Narration, as well

Absolutely wonderful

The story is so important for all of us. It is very well written in a great language with humor and sensitivity.

Some good moments but...

This novel had some funny moments, but mostly it was pretty forgettable. The performances were top-notch, though.

Vulgar Language a Let-down

I'm always looking for thought-provoking books that the family can listen to on long vacation drives. This sounded like it might fit the bill, but after only a few minutes listening to the vulgar language it was a major let-down. I was enjoying the story, but the profanity was over-powering. I couldn't finish it.

Recording Not Divided into Chapters

nothing wrong with the readers. not having "chapters" ruined it for me. when you get to the end, you're brought to the very start should you want to revisit your favourite parts. couldn't place bookmarks. really hated this. first time I've ever wanted a refund.

Highly overrated!

I couldn't wait to finish this book, not because it was so good but because it was so BAD! The characters are narcissistic and underdeveloped. They don't develop throughout the story...they just drift through the book. I kept waiting for an epiphany, but none came. Save your money.