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A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
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To be fair, let it be known that I am a Nick Hornby fan. I celebrate his entire collection, and the anticipation I felt for the release of his new novel, A Long Way Down, was reflective of a child on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, with this great anticipation comes the possibility of great disappointment. Any author runs the risk of burning out - of reaching their peak and losing the creative and emotional edge that drove their first few novels Hornby has proven himself to be a master storyteller when dealing with the male psyche. (See High Fidelity and About a Boy for the best examples.) However, his last novel, How to be Good, written in the first person voice of a middle-aged wife/mother/career- woman, fell short on its perception and new subject matter. Is Nick Hornby a one-trick pony? I couldn't accept that possibility. A loyalist, my hopes were high for A Long Way Down: I crossed my fingers and dove in. New Year's Eve, London, on the roof of Toppers' House, a destination famous as being a jumping off point for those seeking to end their lives, four people meet: Martin, a former TV talk-show host; Maureen, a guilt-ridden Catholic single mother; Jess, an angry and rough-mouthed eighteen-year old girl; J. J., the only American, a high school drop-out turned musician. It isn't a fateful, magic-filled moment when the four first meet. In fact, crossing paths at such an introverted and personal moment is an annoyance. The evening continues its unexpected turn when J.J., a philosopher at heart, suggests they sit for twenty minutes to discuss and compare each of their situations. Begrudgingly, they make a connection that none wanted or expected, but nonetheless, it saves their lives. Following their first meeting, the group resolves that within ninety days they would decide if their lives were worth salvaging. Moving flawlessly, Hornby tells the story in four distinct first-person voices as each character reflects on the events that take place between New Year's Eve and the ninety-day deadline. Being inside the minds and emotions of these characters gives the exact intimate feel needed. Match that with Hornby's quick wit and fearlessness in being understated, A Long Way Down is a novel that is not afraid to tell the truth about a serious subject matter without being bogged down with unrealistic sentimentality. I appreciate that Hornby never sets out to answer all of life's questions through these four characters. He simply tells their stories in the most human way possible. No, Nick Hornby has not burned out. He's here and taking names. Review by Meridith Jones, July 22, 2005
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