Im a huge fan of gavin extences previous works, and this is another dazzler. Jan 01, 2015 the mirror world of melody black tells us a story of a young woman suffering from depression. The universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut. Aug 14, 2016 having read and loved the mirror world of melody black, i was excited to immerse myself into another book by gavin extence.
Gavin extence lives in sheffield with his wife and children. In case you didnt know, in secondary schoolespecially in the early years of secondary schooldiversity is not celebrated. His third novel the empathy problem publishes in august 2016. Many critics have compared the book to the works of kurt vonnegut and mark haddon. Gavin extence introduces his new novel, the mirror world of. Im a huge fan of gavin extence s previous works, and this is another dazzler. 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. He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter and is also a keen chess player. When he is not writing, he enjoys cooking, amateur astronomy and going to alton towers. Official fan page for gavin extence, author of the universe versus alex woods. New york post about the author gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, england.
His car contains a bag of marijuana, and the ashes of his late friend. He was a neighbour, not someone abby knew well, but still, finding a body when you only came over to borrow a. Its never too late to change your life by extence, gavin isbn. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the end of time. Another standout book from this outstanding author book of the week the sun a very personal, compassionate and intimate read. Gavin extence author of the universe versus alex woods.
The empathy problem finds a way to make us smile through our tears. Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe versus alex woods 20. The empathy problem, book by gavin extence paperback. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence, paperback. Jul 05, 20 gavin extences debut novel and the second for the redhook publishing group is a stunning bildungsroman about the extraordinary life of one alex woods. We first meet him aged 17, where he is being arrested at dover customs having scandalized the british media by returning to the country with an urn full of human ashes and 1g of marijuana. Beneath the stars, on a stony beach, stand two brothers.
Its hugely deep, real and emotional with many moments of sadness, fear and unfairness. The universe versus alex woods, gavin extence june 9, 20 january 4, 2017 girl with her head in a book this was gavin extences first novel and although it was being pushed heavily by waterstones, i held off buying it because it was in hardback so was especially pleased that it seemed to arrive in paperback only a couple of weeks later. Nov 20, 20 the problem with such an awesome beginning is that the rest of the book has to live up to it, and in the case of alex woods, gavin extence was unable to maintain the momentum. The most captivating book you ll read this summer kindle edition by extence, gavin. And yet it is littered from the beginning with hope, humour and kindness. He has written two previous novels, the universe versus alex woods and the mirror world of melody black. Jun 26, 20 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence release date.
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. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence the book. When he is not writing, he enjoys cooking, amateur. Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe. The writing sits on the slow but steady side of pacing. Author gavin extences funny and dark second novel is your commutes saviour stylist a book of substance. The universe versus alex woods extence, gavin author hardcover 20 jan 1, 20. Shop amongst our popular books, including 10, the universe versus alex woods, the empathy problem and more from gavin extence.
Though it has affected his life and at times disrupts his writing, he has come to the. In secondary school, being different is the worst crime you can. My only regret is that i have now finished listening to this fantastic story and will find it very hard to follow this up with another book. The end of time is a fantastic book, the best ive read in a long while. I sat up reading for most of the night, and even when i had turned the last page, i didnt want to put it down. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books. Sep 23, 2019 gavin extence s fourth book the end of time follows two syrian teenagers on their journey to the uk. Our interview with gavin extence, author of the empathy.
In english author gavin extences debut novel, the universe versus alex woods, the titular teenage protagonist embarks on a geeky and surreal journey after forging an unlikely friendship with a marijuanaaddled vietnam veteran. Gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in lincolnshire. Gavin extence s fourth book the end of time follows two syrian teenagers on their journey to the uk. Irish daily mail bbc radio 2s book club with simon mayo listenersextence captures how the illness feels from the inside with sensitivity and sparkling humour. Gavin now lives in sheffield with his wife, baby daughter and cat. Jan 05, 20 author gavin extence s first novel the universe versus alex woods is is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite.
There is something curiously cathartic about this book, as well as having the bravery, touching honesty and memorable protagonist that extence is making his trademark heat author gavin extences funny and dark second novel is your commutes saviour stylist. Jan 31, 20 gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, lincolnshire. Author gavin extences funny and dark second novel is your commutes saviour. The mirror world of melody black by gavin extence published in 2016 by hodder paperbacks 304 pages my version. 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 extence s debut novel and is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite who strikes up a. Seeing as the author has experienced mental breakdown himself, this story provides us a unique insight into a mind of a depressed person. Gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, england. They are wearing lifejackets that are too big for them and their most precious belongings are sealed in waterproof bags tucked inside the. The universe versus alex woods extence, gavin author hardcover 20 jan 1, 20 by gavin extence hardcover. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another.
The universe versus alex woods, gavin extence girl. A tale of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero, and an improbable journey, alexs story treads the fine line between light and dark, laughter and tears. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence ephemeral. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence waterstones. From the ages of 511, he enjoyed a brief but illustrious career as a chess player, winning numerous national championships and travelling to moscow and st petersburg to pit his wits against the finest young minds in russia.
Gavin extence, author of the universe versus alex woods, introduces his new novel the mirror world of melody black. Gavin extence lives in sheffield with his wife, children and cat. Amazon second chance pass it on, trade it in, give it a second life. The empathy problem by gavin extence perfect for fans of graeme simsions the rosie project and gavin extences debut novel the universe versus alex woods, comes a wild and witty, searing and true novel about lifes ups and downs. The mirror world of melody black tells us a story of a young woman suffering from depression. The universe versus alex woods audiobook gavin extence. The end of time by gavin extence meet your next favorite book. Gavin extences fourth book the end of time follows two syrian teenagers. Unlucky in life by conventional standards, alex is extremely lucky to have his growing pains documented by extence. As a youngster, he was a keen chess player, winning several national titles. Extence really brings abby to life in this honest, uequivocal narrative. Our interview with gavin extence, author of the empathy problem. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, lincolnshire.
The characters will stay with you praise for gavin extences previous novels if we do a better book in our book club this year well have done very well. Author gavin extence s first novel the universe versus alex woods is is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite. 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. Stylist the quality of extences writing is high and often hilarious. The universe versus alex woods summary supersummary. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Author gavin extences first novel the universe versus alex woods is is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite.
The problem with such an awesome beginning is that the rest of the book has to live up to it, and in the case of alex woods, gavin extence was unable to maintain the momentum. Extence makes absolutely sure that from the first page you are not going to want to put this. And it might just strike you as one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels youve ever hear. Its almost a parable and yet at times you feel you are reading an autobiography, so real is zains story. He is vain, arrogant, unfeeling and works as an hedgefund manager for a company in london, earning millions of pounds a year. But shes a really useful secondary character, since shes a. This time we were following main character gabriel vaughn. It all starts, as these things sometimes do, with a dead man. The rest of the book is a fairly solid coming of age story, but sadly a fairly plodding one. Gavin extences fourth book the end of time follows two syrian teenagers on their journey to the uk. Review the universe versus alex woods, gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods is a great book that had me utterly charmed. The mirror world of melody black by gavin extence bbc. He began writing his first novel after he had completed his phd in film studies and was unable to find employment.
Driven by money, power and success, gabriel has worked ruthlessly to get to. Jun 12, 2015 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence alex woods is odd, no doubt about it. An unforgettable new novel from literary sensation gavin extence that brings to life the human condition, with insight, tenderness and humour. Gavin extence is fast becoming one of my favourite authors, he constantly surprises, challenges and stimulates with his barbed, so beautifully readable books. Irish daily mail bbc radio 2s book club with simon mayo listenersextence captures how the illness feels from the. Extences quick wit and smart use of dialogue, deployed throughout an eventful plot with a varied cast of distinct characters, add a degree of levity youd find more often in a hollywood screenplay.
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