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reflective
fast-paced
Long Way Down was a very quick read. Most of the book takes place on a two-minute elevator ride. The culture of the characters in their black neighborhood with gang violence, drugs, and mistrust of the police, is far removed from my lived experience, which lets me see a different perspective. In the book, Will sets out to get revenge on the man he thinks killed his brother. On his way, he is visited by the ghosts of many killed by gun violence. I found the approach unique and interesting. The book is left open-ended, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. I think it brings up some important ideas about perpetuating violence.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Murder
Minor: Drug use
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve read the original of this story in verse and was excited to get a copy of the graphic novel for Christmas. The water color illustrations were beautiful and done in a way that enhances the ominous and haunting tone of this story. I forgot how the author chose to end this story & was immersed quickly back in the story to see what Will chooses to do. I think this story is powerful in that it forces the reader to think and evaluate right from wrong. It challenged the Rules of the streets but indirectly and with a clever way. It’s a sad story, but intentional and with strong lessons that I think many kids need to hear - especially ones within this cycle of gangs, drug dealing, or gun violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I finished this book in one day, and it BLEW MY MIND! I had not heard about the original novel this is based on, and I'm glad I hadn't because this definitely hit harder because it was not what I expected. Heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, REAL in all the ways that matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Blood
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Representation: Black characters
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This version of Long Way Down circled my recommendations for a while and when I saw this in a library I visited, I immediately wanted to pick it up. Soon enough, I did and then I read the Long Way Down adaptation, but not before glancing the blurb. Despite being heavy, this story was enjoyable, leaving me wondering what the original text is like.
It starts with the first character I see, Will, whose last name remains undisclosed with his brother Shawn, when someone shot him, and no one reported on it. That is all according to the rules: don't cry, don't snitch and, most prominently, get revenge. Thus begins Will's quest to get Shawn's gun and shoot the shooter but he gets on an elevator and has to wait until it reaches the ground floor. In the elevator, Will meets other people who have died in a shooting, all due to the third rule. Once someone shoots another person and they get revenge, the cycle neverendingly continues. Sometimes the poetry is part of the art, which I enjoyed observing. The pictured helped me visualise the story more, but the poetry wasn't that impressive. It was one of many examples where someone pressed the Enter key many times and called it 'poetry.' The conclusion is open, as it's unclear whether Will will get revenge or break the third rule. I hope he chooses the latter.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This version of Long Way Down circled my recommendations for a while and when I saw this in a library I visited, I immediately wanted to pick it up. Soon enough, I did and then I read the Long Way Down adaptation, but not before glancing the blurb. Despite being heavy, this story was enjoyable, leaving me wondering what the original text is like.
It starts with the first character I see, Will, whose last name remains undisclosed with his brother Shawn, when someone shot him, and no one reported on it. That is all according to the rules: don't cry, don't snitch and, most prominently, get revenge. Thus begins Will's quest to get Shawn's gun and shoot the shooter but he gets on an elevator and has to wait until it reaches the ground floor. In the elevator, Will meets other people who have died in a shooting, all due to the third rule. Once someone shoots another person and they get revenge, the cycle neverendingly continues. Sometimes the poetry is part of the art, which I enjoyed observing. The pictured helped me visualise the story more, but the poetry wasn't that impressive. It was one of many examples where someone pressed the Enter key many times and called it 'poetry.' The conclusion is open, as it's unclear whether Will will get revenge or break the third rule. I hope he chooses the latter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
Full trigger warnings: Gun violence, death of a father in the past and a brother, blood, grief and loss depiction
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a heartbreaking and poignant read. It was so powerful and holds great impact.
The author utilises this story in graphic novel form to truly capture the depth of cyclical violence within young people, particularly. It portrays how they are especially vulnerable and can become victims of violence.
The story focuses on Will who has just lost his brother, so now he plans to go by the rules. ‘No. 3: Revenge.” In his attempt to get retribution for his brother’s death he is visited by people from his life, who were also victims of the same violence.
The author leaves the ending a mystery, it has you questioning whether Will actually goes through with his plans. This was a really good touch to the book because it’s a good way to get the readers wondering if the cycle has finally been broken.
The novel really plays on the readers empathy; as the reader I was emotional from the beginning and my heart was breaking for Will—not just because he lost his brother, but also because he thinks he has to carry out revenge; he believes he has to go by the rules; continue the cycle of violence. He was a victim himself.
Finally, I loved the artwork. The watercolours were done so well and was such a beautiful addition to the story.
The author utilises this story in graphic novel form to truly capture the depth of cyclical violence within young people, particularly. It portrays how they are especially vulnerable and can become victims of violence.
The story focuses on Will who has just lost his brother, so now he plans to go by the rules. ‘No. 3: Revenge.” In his attempt to get retribution for his brother’s death he is visited by people from his life, who were also victims of the same violence.
The author leaves the ending a mystery, it has you questioning whether Will actually goes through with his plans. This was a really good touch to the book because it’s a good way to get the readers wondering if the cycle has finally been broken.
The novel really plays on the readers empathy; as the reader I was emotional from the beginning and my heart was breaking for Will—not just because he lost his brother, but also because he thinks he has to carry out revenge; he believes he has to go by the rules; continue the cycle of violence. He was a victim himself.
Finally, I loved the artwork. The watercolours were done so well and was such a beautiful addition to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Murder
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Grief, Murder, Classism
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I like endings too much to give it a four stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Murder