He has a phd in film studies, is married, has a daughter and is also a keen chess player. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence award. Woods was struck in the head by a meteorite in a freak accident when he was 10 and survived, although he was forever changed by the experience. Jun 09, 20 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence published by hachette uk on january 31st 20 genres. The universe versus alex woods imagine being struck by a rare meteorite at ten years old, causing a brain injury that will give you seizures for the rest of your life. 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.
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. Because this project is categorized as in development, the data is only. This post contains affiliate links which you can use to purchase the book. Pdf the universe versus alex woods book by gavin extence.
The universe versus alex woods new york journal of books. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. The universe versus alex woods is another book that we feel blurs the lines between young adult, new adult and adult fiction. 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. 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.
Jan 14, 2014 the universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods quotes showing of 55 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. 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. 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. Gavin extence, author of the universe versus alex woods, answers. Im hard to live with, maddening, uneven i get that. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, alex hasnt had the easiest childhood. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence, paperback. The main characters of this fiction, young adult story are.
Sparknotes is here for you weve got everything you need to ace or teach. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 407 pages and is available in hardcover format. 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. Quirky, affecting comingofager hits lifeanddeath issues. Red uk with wit and warmth, gavin extence shines a light on one of the darkest, most difficult subjects of our times. Buy the paperback book the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence at indigo. The universe versus alex woods quotes by gavin extence. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. The universe versus alex woods, book by gavin extence. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex woods.
The book was described by emma john in the guardian as being the everyday. 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. The universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. 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 by gavin extince the debate around assisted suicide is eternally controversial but, when it comes. Charles dickenss a tale of two cities summary duration.
Find sample tests, essay help, and translations of shakespeare. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten. Alexs 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. The mirror world of melody black audiobook gavin extence. This is the story of alex and its definitely worth a read. Listen to universe versus alex woods by gavin extence at. With one exception, alex himself refrains from swearing, but others around him indulge in using expletives.
An already engaging story really takes off and will hold you tight to the last page. 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. Seventeenyearold alex woods was a household name even before authorities discovered. The universe versus alex woods, gavin extence girl. The universe versus alex woods is built on brilliant characterisation, humour and emotional sincerity, cemented by philosophical mettle. 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. I cant seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good. An interview with alex award winning author gavin extence. I highly recommend reading the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. 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.
The author, 30, whose novel the universe versus alex woods, is making a big splash sat 5 jan 20 19. Book club questions for the universe versus alex woods by. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin. The universe versus alex woods gavin extence, 20 redhook 416 pp. 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. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence dear reader, hello, and welcome to the universe versus alex woods. Precocious and awkward, alex woods truly is a welcome addition to the literary world.
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. See additional info such as project notes, plot summary and industry news. 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. Alex woods takes a sharp turn into the unknown when alex meets grumpy, reclusive widower mr peterson.
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. Teaching climate change in this increasingly challenging time. The universe versus alex woods starts off seeming like its gonna be a quirky sort of book. The universe versus alex woods is the everyday tale of a teenage science nerd hit by a meteorite who strikes up a friendship with a potsmoking vietnam veteran.
If you had to relive your life exactly as it was same successes and failures, same happiness, same mise. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods by matt allengonzalez on prezi. Which is to say the quality of style matches the quality of content. 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. Alex woods is a secular hero, for whom adolescent awakening is more death than sex. Official fan page for gavin extence, author of the universe versus alex woods. The universe versus alex woods summary 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. A very quirky guy but then thats what makes the protagonist of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence such an endearing, affecting delight struck by a 2kg meteorite at the age of 10 when it comes hurtling, rather destructively, through the bathroom roof of the home he shares with his mother rowena who. The universe versus alex woods contains language that will offend some readers. The first edition of the novel was published in 20, and was written by gavin extence.
Blog writing tips gavin extence, author of the universe versus alex woods, answers ten terrifying questions. 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. 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. The universe versus alex woods summary guide book club. Jun 25, 20 both alex and harry have them, and in each case they become a jagged banner of survival. Youre going to find some of my actions frustrating. Title the universe versus alex woods author gavin extence isbn 9780316246576 genres young adult, adventure, mystery, comedy, drama a bit of everything, really.
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. Understand more than 700 works of literature, including to kill a mockingbird, the catcher in the rye, 1984, and lord of the flies at. If only extence were less reverential toward vonnegut and instead were. Alex woods as brief, but alexs teenage voice is so brilliantly honest and effortless that this long comingofage tale feels strangely nimble. Sparknotes are the most helpful study guides around to literature, math, science, and more. Gothgirl ellie, for example, employs fk almost every time she speaks, as do the bullies who torment alex at the start of the book. This novel might just strike you as one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels youve ever read. 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. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. The universe versus alex woods by theresa qualmann on prezi. Just send us an email and well put the best up on the site. Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe versus alex woods 20.
The universe versus alex woods 20 is the debut novel by gavin extence. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The universe versus alex woods does not contain much in the way of violence. Theme the eternal return was another way of presenting the idea that there simply isn. His website includes links to purchase the title as well as excerpts from the book. The universe versus alex woods discussion questions. A young science nerd adjusts to life after being struck by a meteorite. Twenty years later, the drummer sees his second chance at stardom arise when he is asked to perform with his teenage nephews high school rock band. Npr coverage of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence.
Mar 07, 2015 the universe versus alex woods gavin extence from one really brilliant book, right into another. The universe versus alex woods owes a huge debt to nick hornbys about a boy. The universe versus alex woods summary supersummary. His car contains a bag of marijuana, and the ashes of his late friend. If you buy the book using that link, i will receive a small commission from the sale.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the universe versus alex woods. 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 by gavin extince the debate around assisted suicide is eternally controversial but, when it comes to an argument for allowing sick people of sound mind. 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 by gavin extence waterstones. 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.
Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. 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. 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. Jan 31, 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. September discussion the universe versus alex woods by gavin. 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.
In the 1980s, a drummer is abandoned by his band just before they become rock superstars. But alex is a pacifist at heart, and he foregoes violence for the rest of the book. An open letter to managers leading distributed teams. Both alex and harry have them, and in each case they become a jagged banner of survival. Such a perfect book for lovers of the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime and the universe versus alex woods. Especially when you read about his friendship with an old man who gives him useful advice about 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. Hes seventeen years old and sitting at the wheel of mr petersons car at dover after a hasty round. Because of this injury, alex has to deal with epilepsy and is taken out of school so that he can learn how to cope with these fits. When i first started thinking about the story that would become my. 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. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence goodreads. Through his friendship with mr peterson, alex learns about the importance of kindness, truth and humanity.
Woods was struck in the head by a meteorite in a freak accident when he was 10 and survived, although he was. References to the man and his work are to the universe versus alex woods what wild flowers are to the texas highwaysthey are scattered nearly everywhere and provide what little color you are able to discern as you look out into the void. 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. Jun 25, 20 the universe versus alex woods may be a debut novel but it is an outstanding novel by any standards. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by gavin. Apr 27, 2018 cover image courtesy hachette australia alex woods is a quirky guy. A tale of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey. In one scene, alex is bullied on a school bus, has a treasured possession destroyed, and then retaliates by attacking and scratching the face of one of his tormentors, receiving some punches and kicks in return. 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 thebookbag. A very quirky guy but then thats what makes the protagonist of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence such an endearing, affecting delight.
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