In english author gavin extences debut novel, the universe versus alex. 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. If you buy the book using that link, i will receive a small commission from the sale. Books similar to the universe versus alex woods the universe versus alex woods. 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. The universe versus alex woods paperback third place books.
The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, alex. He also knows that even the most improbable events can happen hes got the scars to prove it. Download the universe versus alex woods audiobook by gavin. Start your sentence with the word vs means i know this because how would it change a person if they believed that the world or the whole universe was against them. Free download or read online the universe versus alex woods pdf epub book. 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. May 09, 20 the universe versus alex woods owes a huge debt to nick hornbys about a boy. From the ages of 511, he enjoyed a brief but illustrious career as a chess player.
There wasnt any particular event that set my imagination going, and there wasnt an initial aha moment that i. 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. 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 summary supersummary. Im happy to report that the new computer is flying along and overall im loving it.
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. The universe versus alex woods 20 is the debut novel by gavin extence. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the universe versus alex woods. It also includes a short biography, a music playlist of songs alex woods listens to in the book, a recommended reading list, and links to videos of the author on youtube. Pdf the universe versus alex woods book by gavin extence.
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 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 onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. The chances of being struck by a chunk of space rock are so small as to be virtually incalculable. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence award.
Alex woods knows that he hasnt had the most conventional start in life. The universe versus alex woods the sussex newspaper. Sep 10, 2015 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence in epub, fb3, txt download ebook. His car contains a bag of marijuana, and the ashes of his late friend. He knows that growing up with a clairvoyant single mother wont endear him to the local bullies. But it happens to teenager alex woods, which goes to explain the title of gavin extences debut novel although only in part. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence, gavin. Both alex and harry have them, and in each case they become a jagged banner of survival. By angela haffenden on august 18, 2017 books we love. Other that that you have no idea what the book is about. 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 universe versus alex woods, gavin extence girl. 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. The universe versus alex woods ebook written by gavin extence. 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.
The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence published by hachette uk on january 31st 20 genres. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence waterstones. New york post about the author gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, england. Gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, lincolnshire. Jun 09, 20 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence published by hachette uk on january 31st 20 genres. Tomstyle bond with an elderly, cantankerous american called mr. An already engaging story really takes off and will hold you tight to the last page. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books. The novel opens with 17yearold alexs return from dignitass swiss hq, the ashes of his dear friend mr peterson on the car seat beside him and a. Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe versus alex woods 20. The universe versus alex woods free pdf, epub, fb3, txt. While reentering the uk with some human ashes and a stash of marijuana, alex woods is stopped by customs and referred to the police. The universe versus alex woods by theresa qualmann on.
Take your hr comms to the next level with prezi video. Peterson who helps him weather the storm of his teenage years by the wisdom he imparts. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence, paperback. Alex woods as brief, but alexs teenage voice is so brilliantly honest and effortless that this long comingofage tale feels strangely nimble. 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. Alex woods takes a sharp turn into the unknown when alex meets grumpy, reclusive widower mr peterson. 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.
The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence in epub, fb3, txt download ebook. The universe versus alex woods owes a huge debt to nick hornbys about a boy. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. The first edition of the novel was published in 20, and was written by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. 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 may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet.
A monster calls by patrick ness ive mentioned this one a few times, too, but its beautiful and deserves the attention 6. The book has been compared to the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, as. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the universe versus alex woods. Mar 07, 2015 the universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. With one exception, alex himself refrains from swearing, but others around him indulge in using expletives. The universe versus alex woods starts off seeming like its gonna be a quirky sort of book. Ellie mccrae anyone despite being highly derivative the universe versus alex woods is, in some respects, a wellwritten coming of age story. Alex connolly is ten years old, likes onions on toast, and can balance on the back legs of his chair for fourteen minutes. Download or stream the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. Its hero is a teenage boy, and the tale and themes are. The universe versus alex woods n y journal of books. The universe versus alex woods opens with the 17yearold british protagonist detained at the dover border with 1 grams of marijuana in his vehicles glove compartment and an urn full of human ashes on the front seat. This is a funny and touching story of an unlikely friendship and an improbable journey. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex woods.
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. His website includes links to purchase the title as well as excerpts from the book. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and. 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. The universe versus alex woods contains language that will offend some readers. I cant seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good. Gothgirl ellie, for example, employs fk almost every time she speaks, as do the bullies who torment alex at the start of the book. The universe versus alex woods by theresa qualmann on prezi. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, alex hasnt had the easiest childhood. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
Jun 21, 2014 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. This post contains affiliate links which you can use to purchase the book. It all started 6 years before when, as an 11 year old living in englands west country, his escape from bullies necessitates breaking. 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. A young science nerd adjusts to life after being struck by a meteorite.
Its a wonderful comingofage story, delivered in an offhand casual style that belies the deeply moral concerns of the author. He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter and is also a keen chess player. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. The universe vs alex woods gavin extence genre contemporary. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books on. The main characters of this fiction, young adult story are. The good man jesus and the scoundrel christ by philip pullman this book is a retelling of the story of christ. An eccentric young protagonist meets his match in a compelling comic debut the bookseller. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 407 pages and is available in hardcover format.
Someone who teaches him that that you only get one shot at life. 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. As you may or may not recall, i went to hear gavin extence speaking at the book festival in august. At its heart, the universe versus alex woods is yet another comingofagetale, following alex as he forms a goodnight mr. The universe versus alex woods is a great book that had me utterly charmed. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The universe versus alex woods books richard and judy. The universe versus alex woods is done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut. Extence makes absolutely sure that from the first page you are not going to want to put this. This novel might just strike you as one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels youve ever read. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex. The narrative then backtracks to the previously most significant event in alexs young life.