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 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. 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. There wasnt any particular event that set my imagination going, and there wasnt an initial aha moment that i can recall. Goodreads members who liked the universe versus alex woods. Mar 07, 2015 the universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk. Red uk with wit and warmth, gavin extence shines a light on one of the darkest, most difficult subjects of our times. Gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, lincolnshire. The universe versus alex woods ebook by gavin extence. From the author of the universe versus alex woods comes a dark, painful, and witty novel about a woman whose life is spiralling out of control.
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. Review the universe versus alex woods, gavin extence. The quote in the previous paragraph is on page 15, and comes only a few pages after alex explains that the marijuana was indeed for personal use, just not his personal use but rather mr petersens, and that he hadnt been resisting arrest, but rather been experiencing an. Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence goodreads. From the ages of 511, he enjoyed a brief but illustrious career as a chess player. Alex woods takes a sharp turn into the unknown when alex meets grumpy, reclusive widower mr peterson. Gavin extence, the celebrated author of the universe versus alex woods, joins robin morgan in the audible studios to talk about his latest novel, the empathy problem.
This novel might just strike you as one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels youve ever read. I cant seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence, 20 redhook 416 pp. The universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence youtube. 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 came about. Gavin extence on the universe versus alex woods youtube. The universe versus alex woods 20 is the debut novel by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods is a great book that had me utterly charmed. The universe versus alex woods free pdf, epub, fb3, txt. He knows that growing up with a clairvoyant single mother wont endear him to the local bullies. Charleston city paper 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.
Gavin extence alex woods knows that he hasnt had the most conventional start in life. Jun 25, 20 the universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the universe versus alex woods. I was half expecting it, but it still came as kind of a shock when the barrier stayed down. Gothgirl ellie, for example, employs fk almost every time she speaks, as do the bullies who torment alex at the start of the book.
There is some very deep subject matter discussed, yet the end result is extraordinary. For me, the universe versus alex woods was the latter. Pdf the universe versus alex woods book by gavin extence. Stopped at customs, he turns up handels messiah on the stereo to try to avert an epileptic seizure and is taken away by the police. 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. 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. With one exception, alex himself refrains from swearing, but others around him indulge in using expletives. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books on. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence posted on july 5, 20 july 5, 2018 author nick gavin extences debut novel and the second for the redhook publishing group is a stunning bildungsroman about the extraordinary life of one alex woods. Seventeenyearold alex woods was a household name even before authorities discovered. The universe versus alex woods by matt allengonzalez on prezi. The universe versus alex woods audiobook gavin extence.
Buy the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence from amazons fiction books store. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 407 pages and is available in hardcover format. Youre going to find some of my actions frustrating. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. 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. Title the universe versus alex woods author gavin extence isbn 9780316246576 genres young adult, adventure, mystery, comedy, drama a bit of everything, really. He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter and is also a keen chess player.
Events flow into each other, and the more you try to isolate them in a container, the more they spill over the sides, like canalwater breaching its artificial banks. 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 peterson. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence, gavin. 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 develop a mutually beneficial.
The universe versus alex woods, book by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods summary guide book club. Alex woods knows that he hasnt had the most conventional start in life. 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. The universe versus alex woods large print book, 2014. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic. Quirky, affecting comingofager hits lifeanddeath issues. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book was described by emma john in the guardian as being the everyday. The universe versus alex woods contains language that will offend some readers. 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 npr coverage of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. Alex woods is a secular hero, for whom adolescent awakening is more death than sex. 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 develop a mutually beneficial and unlikely father and son relationship with a stranger.
Buy the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence from waterstones today. Alex is a prickly but ultimately very likeable protagonist, with a unique outlook on life. A tale of an unlikely friendship and an improbable journey, the universe versus alex woods tread the fine line between light and dark. The main characters of this fiction, young adult story are. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence, paperback. The first edition of the novel was published in 20, and was written by gavin extence. Our digital library hosts in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex woods. The universe versus alex woods king county library. For alex, growing up means facing the laws of physics. 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. With writing that is logical yet lyrical, comic yet compassionate, gavin extence has revealed the.
Find books like the universe versus alex woods from the worlds largest community of readers. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex. The great pretender sorta like a rock star time and a half the giver of stars landscapers 2020. 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. 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 ebook written by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence the. The universe versus alex woods starts off with a promising beginning. 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. The universe versus alex woods is a musthave for your library, and a treat for both the young, as well as the young at heart. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, le. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the universe versus alex woods. Jan 14, 2014 the universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards.
Perfect for fans of a boy made of blocksrichard and judy summer bookclub read 20, amazon rising star, and shortlisted for the desmond elliott prize a funny and touching story of an unlikely friendship and an improbable journeyalex woods knows that he hasnt had the most conventional. An already engaging story really takes off and will hold you tight to the last page. The universe versus alex woods king county library system. The universe versus alex woods extence, gavin isbn. Red fans of quirky tales will love this debut novel bella this is an extraordinary debut novel. He also knows that even the most improbable events can happen hes got the scars to prove it. The universe versus alex woods by extence gavin 20 is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly.
Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe versus alex woods 20. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence ephemeral. Alex ist ein absolut liebenswerter protagonist aber ich hatte gerne auch noch mehr uber mr peterson erfahren. 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. Its a wonderful comingofage story, delivered in an offhand casual style that belies the deeply moral concerns of the author. It is the story of wilful teenager alex, who acquires a fascination with science and astronomy after being struck by a falling meteorite and going into a coma. Because this project is categorized as in development, the data is only. It was an interesting book and i could see some of the british humor in there, but unfortunately there was something in the book that hit my anxiety button and just kept on pushing. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life. The universe versus alex woods by extence gavin 20. The universe versus alex woods the free library of.
The universe versus alex woods san diego county library. Book club questions for the universe versus alex woods by. Im hard to live with, maddening, uneven i get that. They finally stopped me at dover as i was trying to get back into the country. 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 universe versus alex woods is a funny and affecting comingofage novel, addressing weighty issues with humor, sensitivity, and insight. Alex woods as brief, but alexs teenage voice is so brilliantly honest and effortless that this long comingofage tale feels strangely nimble. Gavin extence alex woods was struck by a meteorite when he was ten years old, leaving scars that marked him for an extraordinary life. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin. The universe versus alex woods international dublin. A tale of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey, alex s story treads the fine line between light and dark, laughter and tears. Precocious and awkward, alex woods truly is a welcome addition to the literary world. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence.
There is some very deep subject matter discussed, yet. 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. Free download or read online the universe versus alex woods pdf epub book. The universe versus alex woods starts off seeming like its gonna be a quirky sort of book. Sep 10, 2015 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence in epub, fb3, txt download ebook. The universe versus alex woods summary supersummary. The universe versus alex woods is a very impressive debut novel. For me gavin extence has produced in his narrator and hero alex one of the most. This summary of the universe versus alex woods includes a complete plot overview spoilers included.
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