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A review by thepretentiouspoet
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a fantastic reflection on the cyclical nature of gun violence and gang culture. It is told through free verse, which gives it a beautiful natural flow and makes it very easy to digest the thoughts and feelings that Will has on his way down in the elevator.
It only took me an hour to read this book as the verse makes it very quick to read, but the whole time I was fully engaged with Will's self-exploration and his questioning of the choice he is about to make. The final line of the book was a complete gut-punch, and I had to sit quietly for a little bit just to think about everything that the book had brought up, and how it was all shown through the people from Will's past that he meets again.
All I can say is that this book is stunning. It skillfully discusses complex and multi-faceted issues with simplicity and ease that make it all the more powerful. Highly, highly recommend.
It only took me an hour to read this book as the verse makes it very quick to read, but the whole time I was fully engaged with Will's self-exploration and his questioning of the choice he is about to make. The final line of the book was a complete gut-punch, and I had to sit quietly for a little bit just to think about everything that the book had brought up, and how it was all shown through the people from Will's past that he meets again.
All I can say is that this book is stunning. It skillfully discusses complex and multi-faceted issues with simplicity and ease that make it all the more powerful. Highly, highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, and Racism