A Long Way Down

Why do you believe that Hornby might have used the technique of frequently shifting between narrators? Do you believe it is a successful method? Why or why not?

A Long Way Down is considered a dark comedy. What literary techniques does Hornby employ to craft this tone?

Explain the significance of Toppers’ House. What does this known suicide spot imply about the novel’s society?

Discuss the role of friendship in the novel. Are the characters in the book actually friends? Why or why not?

How might the plot have differed if the main characters didn’t witness the unknown man kill himself? At that point in the narrative, is it likely Martin, Maureen, Jess, or JJ would have gone through with killing themselves before the 90 days if the man hadn’t?

Are any of the main characters mentally ill? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

The four main characters include a single mother in her 50s who is also a devout Catholic, a middle-aged divorcee who tarnished his reputation and career, an aspiring musician in his mid-20s who delivers pizzas, and an unstable 18-year-old who abuses drugs. Why did Hornby use these characters to tell this story?

How does the setting affect the narrative? How would a different time period or location affect how the reader perceives the main characters?