The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books. Seventeenyearold alex woods was a household name even before. All right, the book is also a great commercial for kurt vonneguts books. If you had to relive your life exactly as it was same successes and failures, same happiness, same mise. Npr books included on their 5 great summer reads for teens list. The universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut new york post the universe versus alex woods will put you through the wringer. Gavin extence a tale of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey. If you had to relive your life exactly as it was same successes and failures, same happiness, same miseries, same mixture of comedy and tragedy would you want to. The universe versus alex woods summary guide book club. Much of versus alex woods reads like a term paper entitled the person i admire most, writer kurt vonnegut. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an.
A tale of an unlikely friendship and an improbable journey, the universe versus alex woods tread the fine line between light and dark, laughter and tears. Alex woods as brief, but alexs teenage voice is so brilliantly honest and effortless that this long comingofage tale feels strangely nimble. And, despite having a pretty good idea of what is going to happen, its hard not to be deeply affected by gavin extences warm, witty story of an. Mar 07, 2015 the universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. I cant seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good. Apr 06, 20 title the universe versus alex woods author gavin extence isbn 9780316246576 genres young adult, adventure, mystery, comedy, drama a bit of everything, really. This is a christmas movie based on a book of the same title by.
We even have an older teenage girl character who is feisty, argumentative but ultimately lovable. Npr books included on their 5 great summer reads for teens. Which is to say the quality of style matches the quality of content. Its a wonderful comingofage story, delivered in an offhand casual style that belies the deeply moral concerns of the author. Unfortunately, i dont read a whole lot of ya books but i can suggest a few. I decided long ago i wouldnt like vonneguts books but now i want to read some. If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, he. The universe versus alex woods extence, gavin isbn. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by gavin. The universe versus alex woods free pdf, epub, fb3, txt. Jan 14, 2014 introducing a bright young voice destined to charm the world, the universe versus alex woods is a celebration of curious incidents, astronomy and astrology, the works of kurt vonnegut and the unexpected connections that form our world. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Appalled to think that his handshake might have been.
The book was described by emma john in the guardian as being the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite who strikes up a friendship with a potsmoking vietnam veteran. Website for the universe versus alex woods view the website share. Like when i read these books, i no longer felt like i was confined to a very tiny world. The universe versus alex woods is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The universe versus alex woods by extence, gavin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The universe versus alex woods starts off seeming like its gonna be a quirky sort of book. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the universe versus alex woods. The universe versus alex woods will put you through the wringer. The universe versus alex woods paperback third place books. Unfortunately for everyone who picked it up on the basis of that, its not really the kind of book it. Because this project is categorized as in development, the data is only.
Alex woods takes a sharp turn into the unknown when alex meets grumpy, reclusive widower mr peterson. The universe versus alex woods book calgary public. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence, gavin. Peterson, he finds an unlikely friend, who teaches him that you only get one shot at life and you need to make it count. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was 10 years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. The universe versus alex woods is story narrated by its socially awkward teenage protagonist the words aspergers syndrome is never used but he is definately somewhere on the spectrum who is unfortunate enough to have an overprotective, eccentric mother and no other friends and family who then a quarter of the way through the book goes on to. What alex s personality was like before the meteor hit we dont know. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence, paperback. Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe versus alex woods 20. Gavin extence lives in sheffield with his wife and children. Jan 05, 20 author gavin extences first novel the universe versus alex woods is is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite.
Jun 25, 20 the universe versus alex woods will put you through the wringer. What are some books similar to the catcher in the rye by j. I wrote it for adults, says gavin, but i like books to be accessible. Mar 31, 2014 gavin extence is the author of the universe versus alex woods, a 2014 alex award winning novel thats surprising, funny, tragic and poignant all at once as it quirkily portrays the life of teenaged british science nerd alex woods.
An already engaging story really takes off and will hold you tight to the last page. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex woods. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence, 20 redhook 416 pp. Npr books included on their 5 great summer reads for teens list the universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegutnew york post. Goodreads members who liked the universe versus alex woods. Alex s eyes allowed me to write about lifes big questions with a freshness and lightness that would have been otherwise difficult to achieve introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence dear reader, hello, and welcome to the universe versus alex woods. Suppose all the men on earth thought like american college boys. The universe versus alex woods contains language that will offend some readers. Goodreads members who liked the universe versus alex. Ellie mccrae anyone despite being highly derivative the universe versus alex woods is, in some respects, a wellwritten coming of age story. Listen to universe versus alex woods by gavin extence at.
I picked up this book as a blind date with a book, its covered in. The universe versus alex woods tread the fine line between light and. Both logical and naive, alex is inadvertently funny and, like the narrator of mark haddons a curious incident of a dog in the nighttime, needs to explain everything in great detail. Npr books included on their 5 great summer reads for teens list the universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut. Sep 10, 2015 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence in epub, fb3, txt download ebook.
The universe versus alex woods is the story of how misfit alex comes to befriend an elderly american curmudgeon, learns to cultivate marijuana and develops a deep appreciation for the work of kurt vonnegut. May 09, 20 the universe versus alex woods owes a huge debt to nick hornbys about a boy. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books on. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. Much of the wit of the universe versus alex woods derives from our protagonists deadpan narrative voice. Seventeenyearold alex woods was a household name even before authorities discovered 1g of marijuana and the ashes of an old man in the car he drove across the english border.
Books similar to the universe versus alex woods goodreads. Gavin extence author of the universe versus alex woods. Gavin extence alex woods was struck by a meteorite when he was ten years old, leaving scars that marked him for an extraordinary life. When i read these books, i no longer felt like i was confined to a very tiny world.
Perfectly crafted and beautifully written, the voice of this novel is true and clear and brings to life the human condition with insight, tenderness and humour. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence abebooks. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence goodreads. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by gavin extence. May 07, 20 book club questions for the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence may 7, 20 books books contemporary fiction fiction gavin extence a tale of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey. Like rc pallacios brilliant book, wonder, you get to see the worstand ultimatelythe best in everyday. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, alex hasnt had the easiest childhood. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the universe versus alex woods. Introducing a bright young voice destined to charm the world, the universe versus alex woods is a celebration of curious incidents, astronomy and astrology, the works of kurt vonnegut and the unexpected connections that form our world. The universe versus alex woods ebook written by gavin extence.
By angela haffenden on august 18, 2017 books we love. This book has a particularly good opening chapter, as seventeenyearold alex woods drives off a car ferry into dover and is taken into police custody. An interview with alex award winning author gavin extence. Simon rich was a new author to me and thank goodness hes written lots more as hes seriously addictive. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin. What other book might you compare the universe versus alex woods to and why. The universe versus alex woods the sussex newspaper.
As with mark haddons book, extence depicts an unusual teenage protagonist, the titular alex. Book club questions for the universe versus alex woods by. Gavin extence, the universe versus alex woods the protagonist of the novel, alex woods, was hit on the head by a meteor aged ten, and miraculously survived. Books by gavin extence authors like gavin extence what. Images courtesy of publishers, organizations, and sometimes their twitter handles. This is the story of alex woods born to a clairvoyant mother and a phantom father, victim of an improbable childhood. The universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. The universe versus alex woods quotes by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence waterstones. Npr books included on their 5 great summer reads for teens list the universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut new york post. The universe versus alex woods 20 is the debut novel by gavin extence. You know, book recommendation are not always easy, because i can recommend so many good books, but mostly look for something exactly like.
Npr books included on their 5 great summer reads for teens list the universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero. This novel might just strike you as one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels youve ever read. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence reading. When i first started thinking about the story that would become my. Five years later, when he decides the time has come to take the ironnickel. Jun 25, 20 introducing a bright young voice destined to charm the world, the universe versus alex woods is a celebration of curious incidents, astronomy and astrology, the works of kurt vonnegut and the unexpected connections that form our world.
Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex. Sometimes, life just lines up in a way that seems like it isnt just a coincidence. Gavin extence quotes author of the universe versus alex. The universe versus alex woods, book by gavin extence. Jan 14, 2014 the universe versus alex woods will put you through the wringer. Dec 05, 2012 a tale of an unlikely friendship and an improbable journey, the universe versus alex woods tread the fine line between light and dark, laughter and tears. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Along with the list cited above, i might compare it to catcher in the rye for the fact that is about a teen, but should be read by ya and adult readers alike. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence from amazons fiction books store. The universe versus alex woods new york journal of books.
Find books like the universe versus alex woods from the worlds largest community of readers. Gavin extence, quote from the universe versus alex woods when i read these books, i no longer felt like i was confined to a very tiny world. There are many novels out there for ya readers that can be classified as comingofage books, much like catcher in the rye. The author, 30, whose novel the universe versus alex woods, is making. With one exception, alex himself refrains from swearing, but others around him indulge in using expletives. He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter and is also a keen chess player.