With writing that is logical yet lyrical, comic yet compassionate, gavin extence has revealed the simple beauty of laughter, friendship, love and reason. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life. Gavin extence lives in sheffield with his wife and children. A rare meteorite struck alex woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary. Extence makes absolutely sure that from the first page you are not going to want to put this. We even have an older teenage girl character who is feisty, argumentative but ultimately lovable. He also knows that even the most improbable events can happen hes got the scars to prove it. A tale of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey this novel might just strike you as one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels youve ever read. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence. Buy the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence 20509 by extence, gavin isbn. 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. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
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. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, alex hasnt had the easiest childhood. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex woods. This is a funny and touching story of an unlikely friendship and an improbable journey. 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. The universe versus alex woods kindle edition by extence, gavin.
Seventeenyearold alex woods was a household name even before authorities discovered. Both alex and harry have them, and in each case they become a jagged banner of survival. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence dear reader, hello, and welcome to 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. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence waterstones. Extence won the waterstones 11 literary prize for his first book the universe versus alex woods 20. The universe versus alex woods, gavin extence june 9, 20 january 4, 2017 girl with her head in a book this was gavin extence s 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.
Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin. 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. 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. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. The universe vs alex woods gavin extence genre contemporary. When i first started thinking about the story that would become my debut novel, in summer 2010, i didnt really have.
Gavin extence s debut novel the universe versus alex woods was published in january this year and has since been picked as one of the waterstones 11 for 20 described as one of the years most anticipated debuts by timeout, its is a heartwarming story of friendship, morality and humanity, with an unforgettable 17yearold at its centre. Ellie mccrae anyone despite being highly derivative the universe versus alex woods is, in some respects, a wellwritten coming of age story. The book has been compared to the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, as. This quirky, heartwarming and at times blackly comic novel follows the eponymous alex woods, a boy who found fame for surviving a freak accident in which he was hit on the head by a. Gavin extence author of the universe versus alex woods. With writing that is logical yet lyrical, comic yet compassionate, gavin extence has revealed the. Alex woods takes a sharp turn into the unknown when alex meets grumpy, reclusive widower mr peterson. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence 205. 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 universe versus alex woods, and the rest of the book describes, in alex s voice, how it came about. Pdf the universe versus alex woods book by gavin extence. 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 20 is the debut novel by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence award. The universe versus alex woods, gavin extence shop. I cant seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good. The universe versus alex woods owes a huge debt to nick hornbys about a boy. The universe versus alex woods free pdf, epub, fb3, txt. 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. The universe versus alex woods, gavin extence girl. All in all, the universe versus alex woods is a winner for older teens.
The universe versus alex woods is a very impressive debut novel. An already engaging story really takes off and will hold you tight to the last page. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 407 pages and is available in hardcover format. Download or stream the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. Gavin extence was born in 1982 and grew up in the interestingly named village of swineshead, lincolnshire. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. 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.
Contemporary fiction perfect for fans of a boy made of blocks richard and judy. The mirror world of melody black by gavin extence paperback. Introduction to the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. Red uk with wit and warmth, gavin extence shines a light on one of the darkest, most difficult subjects of our times. 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. In fact, the universe versus alex woods is a solid work of a contemporary fiction. Such is the experience of reading the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. Alex is a prickly but ultimately very likeable protagonist, with a unique outlook on life.
Buy the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence from amazons fiction books store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 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 done in a dark, offbeat style that brings to mind the characters hero, the literary giant kurt vonnegut.
Free download or read online the universe versus alex woods pdf epub book. The first edition of the novel was published in 20, and was written by gavin extence. His website includes links to purchase the title as well as excerpts from the book. 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. 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 is a great book that had me utterly charmed. He knows that growing up with a clairvoyant single mother wont endear him to the local bullies. I hope im not spoiling anything by saying that the ending of this novel packs a real punch. Download the universe versus alex woods audiobook by gavin. Take your hr comms to the next level with prezi video. Its hero is a teenage boy, and the tale and themes are. Woods was struck in the head by a meteorite in a freak accident when he was 10 and survived, although he was. 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 universe versus alex woods starts off seeming like its gonna be a quirky sort of book.
Contemporary fiction perfect for fans of a boy made of blocks richard 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 journey. The universe versus alex woods books richard and judy. 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. 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. The universe versus alex woods by theresa qualmann on. An unforgettable story of an unexpected friendship, an. Alex woods knows that he hasnt had the most conventional start in life. 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 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. 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 extence, gavin ebook. An unforgettable story of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey by extence, gavin from amazons fiction books store. Jun 25, 20 both alex and harry have them, and in each case they become a jagged banner of survival.
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. 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. 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. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic. When differing backgrounds collide we are often surprised at the outcome. This novel might just strike you as one of the funniest, most heartbreaking novels youve ever read. Book club questions for the universe versus alex woods by. The main characters of this fiction, young adult story are. The book was described by emma john in the guardian as being the everyday. 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 interview with alex award winning author 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. This novel tells the story of seventeenyearold 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 1 grams of marijuana and the ashes of his best friend, vietnam veteran isaac peterson. 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. Official fan page for gavin extence, author of the universe versus alex woods. When i first started thinking about the story that would become my.
Gavin extence the universe versus alex woods hodder and stoughton ltd. Sep 10, 2015 the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence in epub, fb3, txt download ebook. Gavin extence on characters in the universe versus alex. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. An unforgettable story of an unexpected friendship, an unlikely hero and an improbable journey kindle edition by extence, gavin. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence in epub, fb3, txt download ebook. Every now and then a book comes along that takes you in directions that are unexpected. 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. The author, 30, whose novel the universe versus alex woods, is making a big splash sat 5 jan 20 19. Npr coverage of the universe versus alex woods by gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods and over 8 million other books are available for amazon kindle. Into this arena comes a title i hope will take off, the universe versus alex woods, by young firsttime british novelist gavin extence. The novel pays homage to iconoclastic science fictionliterary writer kurt vonnegut, but british author gavin extence doesnt push the influence too hard. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence goodreads.
The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence, paperback. Its always nice to be surprised by how good a story can be, and gavin extence s first novel the universe versus alex woods didnt fail to disappoint. The universe versus alex woods by gavin extence books. Shop amongst our popular books, including 10, the universe versus alex woods, the empathy problem and more from gavin extence. The universe versus alex woods n y journal of books.
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