A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. At cern, on his final journey with mr peterson, he thinks about how old the universe was, and how old it. Jasper fforde the great joy of this quirky novel is alex woods, an english boy whos been hit by a meteorite. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex woods. 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. Gavin extence alex woods was struck by a meteorite when he was ten years old, leaving scars that marked him for an extraordinary life. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence hachette book. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital. Gavin extence alex woods knows that he hasnt had the most conventional start in life. Alex woods takes a sharp turn into the unknown when alex meets grumpy, reclusive widower mr peterson. On first read, for all its humor, for all its lighterthanair zip and quip, the universe versus alex woods such an awkward, unfortunate title is a bpicture of a thing. This is the story of alex woods born to a clairvoyant mother and a phantom father, victim of an improbable childhood accident who is stopped at dover customs in possession of 1g of marijuana and the ashes of his best friend, vietnam veteran isaac.
A tale of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey. The universe versus alex woods introduces another lovable. Red uk warm and funny and tragic and uplifting all in one. This was assigned as the reading and my response to the synopsis 17 year old, coming of age story was gritting my teeth and enduring it for the sake of a new. He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter.
The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence goodreads. The universe versus alex woods free pdf, epub, fb3, txt. My rating 55 stars a rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. The book was described by emma john in the guardian as being the everyday. Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe versus alex woods 20. The universe versus alex woods large print book, 2014. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin. Jan 05, 20 the author, 30, whose novel the universe versus alex woods, is making a big splash sat 5 jan 20 19. From the ages of 511, he enjoyed a brief but illustrious career as a chess player, winning numerous national championships and traveling to moscow and st petersburg to pit his wits against the finest young minds in russia. He knows that growing up with a clairvoyant single mother wont endear him to the local bullies. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and. 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. I hope im not spoiling anything by saying that the ending of this novel packs a real punch. This book has a particularly good opening chapter, as seventeenyearold alex woods drives.
This is the story of alex woods born to a clairvoyant mother. When i first started thinking about the story that would become my debut novel, in summer 2010, i didnt really have much in terms of plot or character. He knows that growing up with a clairvoyant single. A teenage girl who, despite her difficult circumstances, is preternaturally optimistic about the world and her place in. 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. He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter and is also a keen chess player the universe versus alex woods is extences debut novel and is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite who strikes up a. 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. Peterson, he finds an unlikely friend, who teaches him that you only get one shot at life and you need to make it count. There wasnt any particular event that set my imagination going, and there wasnt an initial aha moment that i can recall. Both alex and harry have them, and in each case they become a jagged banner of survival. Its a wonderful comingofage story, delivered in an offhand casual style that belies the deeply moral concerns of the author. The universe versus alex woods n y journal of books.
The universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. With writing that is logical yet lyrical, comic yet compassionate, gavin extence has revealed the simple beauty of laughter, friendship, love and reason. 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 by theresa qualmann on prezi. Which is to say the quality of style matches the quality of content. Jun 25, 20 both alex and harry have them, and in each case they become a jagged banner of survival. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books on. Gavin extence author of the universe versus alex woods.
Jun 25, 20 the universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut. An already engaging story really takes off and will hold you. This is the setup for gavin extences first novel, the universe versus alex woods, and the rest of the book describes, in alexs voice, how it. Its hero is a teenage boy, and the tale and themes are. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. I cant seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good. Into this arena comes a title i hope will take off, the universe versus alex woods, by young firsttime british novelist gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods summary supersummary. With aulii cravalho, judy reyes, justina machado, carol burnett. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. So when, at age 17, alex is stopped at customs with 1 grams of marijuana, an urn full of ashes on the front seat. Parents need to know that the universe versus alex woods is a funny, moving, and wellexecuted comingofage story set in england that. The universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. Browse series, pseudonyms, synopses, and subgenres.
They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life. 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. 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. Title the universe versus alex woods author gavin extence isbn 9780316246576 genres young adult, adventure, mystery, comedy, drama a bit of everything, really. The universe versus alex woods 20 is the debut novel by gavin extence. This tells the story of a group of extraordinary young women who defy the odds to bring knowledge and power to a remote mountain community. The universe versus alex woods by theresa qualmann on. Gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, england.
The book has been compared to the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, as. This is in most important aspects, a coming of age story. Mar 07, 2015 the universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. Dignitas so when, aged seventeen, alex is stopped at dover customs with 1 grams of marijuana, an urn full of ashes at the passenger seat, and an entire nation in. The universe versus alex woods is a very impressive debut novel. 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. The author, 30, whose novel the universe versus alex woods, is making a big splash sat 5 jan 20 19. The universe versus alex woods, gavin extence girl with. 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.
He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter and is also a keen chess player. A young science nerd adjusts to life after being struck by a meteorite. From losing his fear of the bullies by naming them for what they are, alex also comes to. 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. Take your hr comms to the next level with prezi video. Books similar to the universe versus alex woods the universe versus alex woods. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex. This is the setup for gavin extences first novel, the universe versus alex woods. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence in epub, fb3, txt download ebook.
The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence award. 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. 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. 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. 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 universe versus alex woods is written as a first person retrospective narrative in the style of kurt, while that may seem like a strange combination, elements from all of these works are seamlessly combined to create a humorous, poignant novel that will leave a lasting impression. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, he. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence, paperback. Extence unfolds his offbeat tale with skill but his real triumph lies in providing such a memorable voice sunday times alexs story treads the fine line between light and dark, laughter and tears gq. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take. It also tackles thorny ethical issues atheism, pacifism, assisted suicide with sensitivity. The universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut. With writing that is logical yet lyrical, comic yet compassionate, gavin extence has revealed the simple beauty of laughter, friendship, love. An interview with alex award winning author gavin extence.
Seventeenyearold alex woods was a household name even before authorities discovered 1g of marijuana and the ashes of an old man in. 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. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old. Introducing a bright young voice destined to charm the world, the universe versus alex woods is a celebration of curious incidents, astronomy and astrology. From the ages of 511, he enjoyed a brief but illustrious career as a chess player, winning numerous. In fact, the universe versus alex woods is a solid work of a contemporary fiction. Introducing a bright young voice destined to charm the world, the universe versus alex woods is a celebration of curious incidents.
The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence waterstones. The universe versus alex woods paperback third place books. Npr coverage of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods is written as a first person retrospective narrative in the style of kurt, while that may seem like a strange combination, elements from all of these works are seamlessly. In english author gavin extences debut novel, the universe versus alex. New york post about the author gavin extence was born in 1982.
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