Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

26 reviews

ambivalentneb's review

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dark funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

At first seems a perfect blend of reality and humor but towards the end the transition to somber themes, the humor overtakes it being rather unsatisfying.
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itssophie's review

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funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An all-time classic, genuiously written.
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mountainsntrees's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This novel is very 2005 coded... I bet it might feel nostalgic if you are of an age where you were mentally present around that time. For me it just felt a bit outdated and perhaps even problematic at times.
I have to say, I am surprised that the ending wasn't as soppy and cheesy as I had expected. 
Just a quick in-between read; nothing to write home about.
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drleonj's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A scandal-plagued television personality goes to the roof of a tower block in London on New Year’s Eve to kill himself, but before he can do the deed, he meets three others who have gone there for the same reason. None of them have anything in common other than their wish to die and their inability to follow through, so they decide to band together for thirty days to see if they feel any better or still wish to go through with it. Thus begins Hornby’s ‘odd couple’ - or more accurately ‘odd quartet’ - narrative. Each of the four take turns narrating chapters, which helps us see them as they see themselves but also as they come across to others. The result is often painful, since each of the characters is pretty damaged, yet even the most objectionable of them have redeeming qualities, and at least one has a heart of gold. Also, the novel is often funny -hilarious even - although a wince almost always follows a chuckle. And although this is by no means an easy read, since it makes very few concessions to unrealistic plot twists or Hollywood endings, Hornby’s novel is both wise, and, ultimately hopeful. This definitely isn’t a novel for anyone. Although I’m a suicide attempt survivor myself and liked this book a lot, many who are emotionally fragile will find it tough reading, while those who insist on likable or consistently pleasant characters will be better off staying far away. But for an unflinching yet often humorous exploration of what, if anything, makes life worth living, A Long Way Down is a great novel. 
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madisonfrank's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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askxtine's review

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3.0

Naw, it was not for me. I didn't really care about any of their stories, and the four POV was hard to tell one speaker from the other.  It's a shame because I have enjoyed Nick Hornby's books, but this one was a let down. 
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linnylou21's review

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dark funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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half_blood_princess's review

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dark emotional funny inspiring 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

4.25

The book is interestingly witty and antagonistic.
It revolves around the four people that created a suicide pact that delays their plan of suicide. It worked, though it seemed to have worked too fast and well.
the characters are complicated to like, there are times the flaw aren't the focus nor did it highlight the character's traits. It seemed to just fill the air. 

Despite that, the book had a lot of philosophical (though, twisted) view about life. It was simply, take it as it is and move on. I like how the character's didn't have a large development but there was a hint of beginning to, or it turning it around, which i think, is what matters the most. Giving hope.
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thebookduke's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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jayem's review against another edition

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1.0

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