Evan Owens / Edge columnist
Sixty Seconds. Three Rules. One Gun.
Written in bold text on the back of Jason Reynolds’ 2017 novel, Long Way Down, lie three phrases central to the story. Sixty seconds, the period in which most of the story takes place. Three rules, the rules by which main character William Holloman’s life is dictated, and one gun, the weapon William has at his disposal to avenge his murdered brother. There should be one more phrase: ‘one decision,’ because through his powerful writing, Reynolds faces William with an important decision, to either break the cycle of violence which has so negatively affected him, or to continue it, and fall victim to its endless nature.
Long Way Down is a 2017 young adult novel, which follows William Holloman in the immediate aftermath of his brother Shawn’s murder. Guided by the rules of don’t cry, don’t snitch, and get revenge, a set of neighborhood conventions, that everyone follows, and no one questions, William sets off to follow the third rule, aiming to get revenge on who he believes is his brother’s killer.
The story takes place on the elevator down from his eighth-floor apartment, over a period of 60 seconds. William encounters a new person on every floor, all connected to him in different ways, as he starts to rethink the rules, and his decision to take revenge.
Long Way Down is told in a fascinating way. Written entirely in verse, each page is a poem, disregarding the norms for writing novels. By using verse, Reynolds allows the reader to connect with William’s thoughts and emotions, and how they evolve. William starts certain in what he knows. He must follow the rules; he must take revenge, but as he descends in the elevator, doubt starts to creep in as he is confronted by those affected by senseless violence.
Reynolds’ plot is well thought out, working exceptionally in tandem with his choice of writing style. Multiple connected stories are told by different characters, a new story on each new floor, each new floor a new layer of William’s changing understanding, all within the space of a minute. While the story is not a long read, it does not need to be. Less is sometimes more, and it is true in the case of this novel. Reynolds creates an impactful story on an important topic, with few words.
The topic Long Way Down confronts is an important one. Cycles of violence are rampant in some US neighborhoods, because of systemic oppression, and lack of opportunity. For many, there is no escape.
For those who want to gain a stronger understanding of a reality that many people live every day, where life is not guaranteed, and violence is endemic, this book is a must read.
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds can be found in the Gleneagle Library for loan.