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Less Than
2024 SCWES BOOK AWARDS FOR BC AUTHORS WINNER
As the first month of 2016 rolled into the next, the death count continued to climb…
Evann has no excuse to be living among the city’s destitute. When he reached into the medicine cabinet for that first dose of OxyContin, he didn’t consider everything the drug might take; he could only see the escape it might offer.
Determined to prove himself as an artist, Evann moves to the city, only to discover that physical distance can’t sever the emotional ties binding him to a past fraught with pain and rejection. Desperate to escape his own anxious thoughts and his mother's relentless criticisms, he enters an insidious spiral that ultimately costs him everything.
On the unforgiving streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Evann doesn’t know who to trust, where to turn, or how to regain control over his all-consuming addiction. Wracked by shame and fear, he lurks in the city’s shadows, until a brush with death presents a chance to get his life back on track.
But confronted with his secret, will his family be there for him?
In an evocative debut, Long sheds light on the devastating consequences of ostracizing those who yearn for love and connection the most.
As the first month of 2016 rolled into the next, the death count continued to climb…
Evann has no excuse to be living among the city’s destitute. When he reached into the medicine cabinet for that first dose of OxyContin, he didn’t consider everything the drug might take; he could only see the escape it might offer.
Determined to prove himself as an artist, Evann moves to the city, only to discover that physical distance can’t sever the emotional ties binding him to a past fraught with pain and rejection. Desperate to escape his own anxious thoughts and his mother's relentless criticisms, he enters an insidious spiral that ultimately costs him everything.
On the unforgiving streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Evann doesn’t know who to trust, where to turn, or how to regain control over his all-consuming addiction. Wracked by shame and fear, he lurks in the city’s shadows, until a brush with death presents a chance to get his life back on track.
But confronted with his secret, will his family be there for him?
In an evocative debut, Long sheds light on the devastating consequences of ostracizing those who yearn for love and connection the most.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2023
4 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 23, 2023
I finished reading Less Than just minutes ago and it feels like there's a massive weight sitting on my chest. I am so unbelievably angry!! When I read the last page I wanted to scream and throw the book. I will be thinking of this story for a really long time.
I can't really say much more because I want to avoid spoilers for those who have yet to read this. Be prepared to face a myriad of emotions.
What I can say though, this book is incredibly well written and pulled me into the story. I am so impressed that this is the author's debut.
This book is very heavy on triggers. If you want to know more please message me.
My thanks to the author for sending me a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I can't really say much more because I want to avoid spoilers for those who have yet to read this. Be prepared to face a myriad of emotions.
What I can say though, this book is incredibly well written and pulled me into the story. I am so impressed that this is the author's debut.
This book is very heavy on triggers. If you want to know more please message me.
My thanks to the author for sending me a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2023
This book was sent to me the author and when she sent me the details and I read the synopsis I knew this was a story I needed to read.
Not long ago I worked for the department of mental health in a test program that was for people living on the fringe of society, what this means, is homeless people, addicts, people who have very little and have lost a lot, the program was to try and accomplish a number of things, mostly being how can we help the people deeply affected by the opioid crisis/addiction. Long story short this was an incredibly humbling and eye opening experience and if I am being honest deeply sad.
The system is broken on all levels, and Less Than is a very intimate and real look at what this may feel like for someone in it. Following a boy from childhood to adult hood and his complex evolution of his addiction.
This book reminded me of some of the very clients I met during my time in mental health and it reminded me that stories like these are uncomfortable but are also important, reading is the ultimate lesson in empathy and Long writes a book that evokes this in spades.
Poignant and raw this story sheds a small light on a very big issue.
Not long ago I worked for the department of mental health in a test program that was for people living on the fringe of society, what this means, is homeless people, addicts, people who have very little and have lost a lot, the program was to try and accomplish a number of things, mostly being how can we help the people deeply affected by the opioid crisis/addiction. Long story short this was an incredibly humbling and eye opening experience and if I am being honest deeply sad.
The system is broken on all levels, and Less Than is a very intimate and real look at what this may feel like for someone in it. Following a boy from childhood to adult hood and his complex evolution of his addiction.
This book reminded me of some of the very clients I met during my time in mental health and it reminded me that stories like these are uncomfortable but are also important, reading is the ultimate lesson in empathy and Long writes a book that evokes this in spades.
Poignant and raw this story sheds a small light on a very big issue.
June 14, 2024
Title:
Less Than
Author: A.D. Long
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: September 25, 2023
I received a complimentary eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Heavy • Awakening • Devastating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Evann has no excuse to be living among the city's destitute. Raised in a middle-class family, he's never wanted for anything-except his mother's love. Desperate to escape her rejection, criticism, and the self-deprecating voices in his head, he finds solace in the medicine cabinet, uniting with a lover who rights his wrongs but knows nothing of give and has an insatiable appetite for take. With nowhere else to turn, Evann sinks deeper into his addiction, numbing his pain with substances that only serve to destroy him-leaving his family to grapple with their own secrets, their antiquated views on addiction, and the devastating effects of picking sides.
💭 T H O U G H T S
When A.D. Long kindly asked if I would be willing to read an ARC of her debut novel Less Than back in mid-2023, I was hesitant and upfront in saying I didn't know if I'd be able to read a book that would hit so deeply on a personal level. She responded that there was no expected timeframe on reading it, yet that she'd love to send me a copy regardless for a time when I might feel ready. I greatly appreciate her understanding and compassion towards my deep personal connection to the deadly drug crisis affecting our country.
Set in the infamous Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, this debut novel is so real and so raw that it read almost like a memoir. It's incredibly well written and puts the reader in the mind of someone living with addiction, a disease (often) deeply rooted in trauma. Long delivers an accurate representation of how addiction can take hold of a person and the stigma's surrounding addiction in general.
Evann is a character I will not forget. His story absolutely broke my heart, and having personally loved someone with addiction, I just wanted to wrap him in a hug and offer him love and compassion. The author develops his character arc in such a way that it's easy to imagine him as a brother, a son, a friend. The secondary characters are all important and it shows how one's circle can impact individuals.
I want to personally thank A.D. Long for offering compassion and empathy to people who live with addiction. Less Than was certainly a difficult read for me, yet the author reminds us that each person living with an addiction is a person with a story. It is my hope that this book makes people uncomfortable and challenges their pre-conceived notions of addiction. Highly recommend!
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• stories that stick with you
• books that challenge your biases
• discovering emerging Canadian authors
⚠️ CW: mental illness, addiction, drug use, drug abuse, overdose, self-harm, child abuse, toxic relationship, suicide, sexual assault, cursing, vomit, excrement, death, child death, body shaming, eating disorder
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It is impossible to understand addiction without asking what relief the addict dins, or hopes to find, in the drug or the addictive behaviour."
"Substance abuse is very complex, and finger pointing - the shoulda, coulda, woulda - will tear you apart."
'That said, I would encourage you to reconsider your choice of language. Labels only perpetuate the stigma, which is part of the reason people choose to use in hiding, rather than out in the open where they might get help."
Author: A.D. Long
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: September 25, 2023
I received a complimentary eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Heavy • Awakening • Devastating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Evann has no excuse to be living among the city's destitute. Raised in a middle-class family, he's never wanted for anything-except his mother's love. Desperate to escape her rejection, criticism, and the self-deprecating voices in his head, he finds solace in the medicine cabinet, uniting with a lover who rights his wrongs but knows nothing of give and has an insatiable appetite for take. With nowhere else to turn, Evann sinks deeper into his addiction, numbing his pain with substances that only serve to destroy him-leaving his family to grapple with their own secrets, their antiquated views on addiction, and the devastating effects of picking sides.
💭 T H O U G H T S
When A.D. Long kindly asked if I would be willing to read an ARC of her debut novel Less Than back in mid-2023, I was hesitant and upfront in saying I didn't know if I'd be able to read a book that would hit so deeply on a personal level. She responded that there was no expected timeframe on reading it, yet that she'd love to send me a copy regardless for a time when I might feel ready. I greatly appreciate her understanding and compassion towards my deep personal connection to the deadly drug crisis affecting our country.
Set in the infamous Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, this debut novel is so real and so raw that it read almost like a memoir. It's incredibly well written and puts the reader in the mind of someone living with addiction, a disease (often) deeply rooted in trauma. Long delivers an accurate representation of how addiction can take hold of a person and the stigma's surrounding addiction in general.
Evann is a character I will not forget. His story absolutely broke my heart, and having personally loved someone with addiction, I just wanted to wrap him in a hug and offer him love and compassion. The author develops his character arc in such a way that it's easy to imagine him as a brother, a son, a friend. The secondary characters are all important and it shows how one's circle can impact individuals.
I want to personally thank A.D. Long for offering compassion and empathy to people who live with addiction. Less Than was certainly a difficult read for me, yet the author reminds us that each person living with an addiction is a person with a story. It is my hope that this book makes people uncomfortable and challenges their pre-conceived notions of addiction. Highly recommend!
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• stories that stick with you
• books that challenge your biases
• discovering emerging Canadian authors
⚠️ CW: mental illness, addiction, drug use, drug abuse, overdose, self-harm, child abuse, toxic relationship, suicide, sexual assault, cursing, vomit, excrement, death, child death, body shaming, eating disorder
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It is impossible to understand addiction without asking what relief the addict dins, or hopes to find, in the drug or the addictive behaviour."
"Substance abuse is very complex, and finger pointing - the shoulda, coulda, woulda - will tear you apart."
'That said, I would encourage you to reconsider your choice of language. Labels only perpetuate the stigma, which is part of the reason people choose to use in hiding, rather than out in the open where they might get help."
December 9, 2024
Devastating. Being in the mind of an addict was hard. And heartbreaking. And seeing Vancouver from that side was awful too. I felt so much for Evann and his sensitive, creative soul. His family failed him. Society failed him. He failed. Not sure if I can recommend this book, but if you have it in you, it's a great read.
March 26, 2024
Less Than is a beautifully written deep, intense and emotion dive into the dr*g crisis in Vancouver. Although a fictional story, this issue is very well present. It was so raw, so real, so vivid. Once I started it I was completely immersed and hooked, I couldn't stop. I honestly am speechless after reading this book.
I fell completely in love with Evann, this poor tortured, hurt, lost soul that only wanted to be loved and wanted. That wanted to find himself and find where he belonged. Unfortunately for him, he found his solace in dr*gs. His journey was nothing short of heartbreaking.
The author has an immaculate way with words. She is able to convey every single emotion. The reactions of the characters are on point. The way the person suffering from mental health issues feels was so accurate. It was very relatable, especially if you've had trouble with mental health or have had addiction in your surroundings. I think she did a fabulous job with accurate representations of each individual and their particular issues.
That ending though completely and utterly broke me. This book is definitely eye opening, devastating but I truly think it would be beneficial to a lot of people to open their eyes regarding this stigma. Please check your trigger warnings !
🎧 The narration by Daniel Maté was absolutely perfect. He had the perfect tone. He conveyed the emotions amazingly. The voices of each character were done so well. I think this one as an audiobook is the way to go !
✨️ Thank you to @adlong for my gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I fell completely in love with Evann, this poor tortured, hurt, lost soul that only wanted to be loved and wanted. That wanted to find himself and find where he belonged. Unfortunately for him, he found his solace in dr*gs. His journey was nothing short of heartbreaking.
The author has an immaculate way with words. She is able to convey every single emotion. The reactions of the characters are on point. The way the person suffering from mental health issues feels was so accurate. It was very relatable, especially if you've had trouble with mental health or have had addiction in your surroundings. I think she did a fabulous job with accurate representations of each individual and their particular issues.
That ending though completely and utterly broke me. This book is definitely eye opening, devastating but I truly think it would be beneficial to a lot of people to open their eyes regarding this stigma. Please check your trigger warnings !
🎧 The narration by Daniel Maté was absolutely perfect. He had the perfect tone. He conveyed the emotions amazingly. The voices of each character were done so well. I think this one as an audiobook is the way to go !
✨️ Thank you to @adlong for my gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2024
very sad
Loved the Vancouver setting!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy!
Loved the Vancouver setting!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy!
September 6, 2023
Evann has grown up realizing that he was not really wanted by his mother. Ann was expecting a girl and didn't get what she wanted. There was a constant feeling by Evann of feeling "Less Than" anything to his mom.
He starts taking medications to forget the treatment. The medications take him to a place where the memories fade.
He has a true artistic talent that enters him into University for Arts, but he continues to abuse the drugs and starts to really lapse at school. This leads to him living on the streets, doing his best to get the next fix any way that he can.
This is a mind-blowing look at addiction from the users standpoint. Brush off your thoughts about what an addict is and open your mind to this viewpoint. Excellent awakening for me.
I won this book for an early review from LibraryThing.com.
He starts taking medications to forget the treatment. The medications take him to a place where the memories fade.
He has a true artistic talent that enters him into University for Arts, but he continues to abuse the drugs and starts to really lapse at school. This leads to him living on the streets, doing his best to get the next fix any way that he can.
This is a mind-blowing look at addiction from the users standpoint. Brush off your thoughts about what an addict is and open your mind to this viewpoint. Excellent awakening for me.
I won this book for an early review from LibraryThing.com.
August 23, 2023
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this amazing story. It’s a very moving and emotional journey about a person who suffers from addiction and the impact it has on a family. Tears were shed as I easily read this in two days. Proud to support this local Canadian author!
December 15, 2023
|| LESS THAN ||
#gifted @adlongthewriter
✍🏻
"Evann has never been so sick. He's known what it is to crave a fix, but this is like nothing he's ever experienced. No flu can hold a candle to the misery that pillages his body and mind with each passing moment. Milliseconds are stretched into hours someone has him trapped in a Time loop, forcing him to stay locked in the hell of his mind. All around him, they are watching him; laughing at him as he staggers aimlessly, aching to get something anything into his system."
•
"He tries, honestly, he does. But the system makes it damn near impossible for people like him to execute their rights. The line between a right and a privilege is no longer fixed, no longer permanent, no longer fundamental, now that he's allowed himself to fall below the poverty line--decided to coexist with the criminals and the junkies. He now belongs to the lacking class. The less thans."
•
Books on addiction at one point were one of my most read genres. LESS THAN is a very poignant and moving debut novel following one man's spiral into addiction and the importance of unconditional love. It explorers not only addiction but trauma, abuse, the opioid crisis, and how the system is so broken. I enjoyed how this takes place locally, backdrop is the downtown east side of Vancouver, a neighborhood I've been through several times throughout my life. I remember as a child when we would drive through I would always wonder what the people's stories were, how did so many people end up here, in this situations, living on the street. Even though this book is fiction I feel like there's a lot of stories that are very similar to the Evann's. Long has given us such a realistic and fully explored experience of addiction. What and who can fuel it, the trauma and pain, and the effects it has on families. Throughout reading this book I was angry, I was sad, I was moved. It's always odd to say you enjoy a story with such heartbreak and tough subject matter so enjoy is maybe not the right word but I do think this book was very well done and I reccomend it.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
#gifted @adlongthewriter
✍🏻
"Evann has never been so sick. He's known what it is to crave a fix, but this is like nothing he's ever experienced. No flu can hold a candle to the misery that pillages his body and mind with each passing moment. Milliseconds are stretched into hours someone has him trapped in a Time loop, forcing him to stay locked in the hell of his mind. All around him, they are watching him; laughing at him as he staggers aimlessly, aching to get something anything into his system."
•
"He tries, honestly, he does. But the system makes it damn near impossible for people like him to execute their rights. The line between a right and a privilege is no longer fixed, no longer permanent, no longer fundamental, now that he's allowed himself to fall below the poverty line--decided to coexist with the criminals and the junkies. He now belongs to the lacking class. The less thans."
•
Books on addiction at one point were one of my most read genres. LESS THAN is a very poignant and moving debut novel following one man's spiral into addiction and the importance of unconditional love. It explorers not only addiction but trauma, abuse, the opioid crisis, and how the system is so broken. I enjoyed how this takes place locally, backdrop is the downtown east side of Vancouver, a neighborhood I've been through several times throughout my life. I remember as a child when we would drive through I would always wonder what the people's stories were, how did so many people end up here, in this situations, living on the street. Even though this book is fiction I feel like there's a lot of stories that are very similar to the Evann's. Long has given us such a realistic and fully explored experience of addiction. What and who can fuel it, the trauma and pain, and the effects it has on families. Throughout reading this book I was angry, I was sad, I was moved. It's always odd to say you enjoy a story with such heartbreak and tough subject matter so enjoy is maybe not the right word but I do think this book was very well done and I reccomend it.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
July 14, 2025
A devastating and powerful story about addiction written by a phenomenal new author. Some of the scenes in this book were painfully harrowing and I've never hated a person more than Evann's mother. While this book is entirely fiction there is an ache in knowing that too many lives end up like Evann. At this very moment there is someone on the streets struggling with addiction- unable to find a safe place to sleep, eat, shower, and find the support they need to get through this. This book stepped forward and took up space to show an underbelly most of us are too privileged to understand.
On a tangential note I would like to talk about A.D Long and how inspirational she is to me. I don't see many author bios talk about their profession outside of writing, and it was both refreshing and applauding to see her announce her work as an ICU nurse. As someone who works in healthcare, I can't imagine the toll it must have taken to spend a 12 hour day saving critical lives, to then go home, regroup, and write about another, heart wrenching tale, some of which centered in the same setting as her work place or worse. Think about this for a second- you're spending a Saturday chilling in a park. How do you want to spend it? Would you like to spend it hunched over a computer talking about what your Monday looks like? Probably not right. Add into that equation the life & death severity of the ICU and this becomes an extremely tasking ask. It takes a strong, heroic mind to step up to the plate like that everyday for a cause outside herself. And I can't imagine the gift she has given her father and many others to not only tell this story, but to do so with great care and skill, that a lot of living novelists have yet to reach. I did some perusing on her author page and also greatly appreciate her information on self-publishing and how she gave a nice discussion about why she chose this path and why it may be beneficial to others. I was not surprised to read that she never attempted to send the manuscript to literary agents. What I mean by that is while this genre is not as popular, I have no doubt she would have caught some attention had she chosen to done so- as her prose is at a high level and a publisher would have likely wanted to take her on. I admire the transparency and education she decided to share, but more than that, I'm excited to see the future of her career after writing such a great piece in Less Than. Thank you A.D Long for all you do as an author and nurse! You deserve all the success with this one.
On a tangential note I would like to talk about A.D Long and how inspirational she is to me. I don't see many author bios talk about their profession outside of writing, and it was both refreshing and applauding to see her announce her work as an ICU nurse. As someone who works in healthcare, I can't imagine the toll it must have taken to spend a 12 hour day saving critical lives, to then go home, regroup, and write about another, heart wrenching tale, some of which centered in the same setting as her work place or worse. Think about this for a second- you're spending a Saturday chilling in a park. How do you want to spend it? Would you like to spend it hunched over a computer talking about what your Monday looks like? Probably not right. Add into that equation the life & death severity of the ICU and this becomes an extremely tasking ask. It takes a strong, heroic mind to step up to the plate like that everyday for a cause outside herself. And I can't imagine the gift she has given her father and many others to not only tell this story, but to do so with great care and skill, that a lot of living novelists have yet to reach. I did some perusing on her author page and also greatly appreciate her information on self-publishing and how she gave a nice discussion about why she chose this path and why it may be beneficial to others. I was not surprised to read that she never attempted to send the manuscript to literary agents. What I mean by that is while this genre is not as popular, I have no doubt she would have caught some attention had she chosen to done so- as her prose is at a high level and a publisher would have likely wanted to take her on. I admire the transparency and education she decided to share, but more than that, I'm excited to see the future of her career after writing such a great piece in Less Than. Thank you A.D Long for all you do as an author and nurse! You deserve all the success with this one.
September 27, 2024
i was with an addict for nearly 5 years.
this was a difficult book.
i saw him in evann.
i’m crushed honestly…
ann reminded me so much of my ex’s mother, this was a real portrayal of a mother of an addict. but deeper than that, it’s a real portrayal of a mentally ill woman who has no compassion in her soul.
i’m pist off i’m angry i’m mad
evann deserved so much more than the hand he was dealt.
his childhood infuriated me!
i am livid!
it isn’t fair!
this book KILLED me.
this was a difficult book.
i saw him in evann.
i’m crushed honestly…
ann reminded me so much of my ex’s mother, this was a real portrayal of a mother of an addict. but deeper than that, it’s a real portrayal of a mentally ill woman who has no compassion in her soul.
i’m pist off i’m angry i’m mad
evann deserved so much more than the hand he was dealt.
his childhood infuriated me!
i am livid!
it isn’t fair!
this book KILLED me.
January 17, 2024
A beautiful, devastating story. Everyone needs to read this ♥️
September 25, 2023
“Less Than" by A.D. Long is a remarkable debut by a talented Canadian indie author. The narrative revolves around a young man who, from the outset, seems destined to face life's challenges head-on. It's a raw and unfiltered portrayal of addiction, painting a vivid picture of a young man perpetually feeling like an outsider, a soul adrift without a sense of belonging.
Evann, our protagonist, is a gifted artist who finds solace in self-medication to cope with the relentless grip of anxiety. The recurring refrain his mother used, "There's always something wrong with that kid," resonates throughout the story.
The novel poignantly portrays the heart-wrenching relationship between Evann and his mother, a character devoid of love and compassion for her own son. It's a heartbreaking reflection on the consequences of neglect and misunderstanding.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching narrative from the addict's perspective. It immerses readers in the tumultuous world of addiction, leaving a lasting impact, particularly in the gripping final chapters that left me breathless.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Less Than" as a powerful read. Let's celebrate and support our local indie authors, as A.D. Long's debut is a testament to the talent that thrives within these creative voices.
I must express my gratitude to AD Long for providing me with an ARC of this book and the opportunity to offer this review. It's a gesture I truly appreciate, and I'm honored to have had the chance to dive into the world of "Less Than."
Book comes out September 25, 2023. Go get a copy!
Evann, our protagonist, is a gifted artist who finds solace in self-medication to cope with the relentless grip of anxiety. The recurring refrain his mother used, "There's always something wrong with that kid," resonates throughout the story.
The novel poignantly portrays the heart-wrenching relationship between Evann and his mother, a character devoid of love and compassion for her own son. It's a heartbreaking reflection on the consequences of neglect and misunderstanding.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching narrative from the addict's perspective. It immerses readers in the tumultuous world of addiction, leaving a lasting impact, particularly in the gripping final chapters that left me breathless.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Less Than" as a powerful read. Let's celebrate and support our local indie authors, as A.D. Long's debut is a testament to the talent that thrives within these creative voices.
I must express my gratitude to AD Long for providing me with an ARC of this book and the opportunity to offer this review. It's a gesture I truly appreciate, and I'm honored to have had the chance to dive into the world of "Less Than."
Book comes out September 25, 2023. Go get a copy!
October 2, 2023
Less Than is a story about addiction. Set in Vancouver, Canada. Mostly in and around the downtown eastside. It is about a young man’s story of his spiral into drug addiction and homelessness. It is very real, and incredibly sad. If you or someone you’ve known has suffered with addiction, this could very potentially be triggering. The story tackles some very tough topics, but predominantly drug addiction and child abuse. Although it is a troubling topic and a potentially hard read for some, it is very accurate and well written.
Genre: Upmarket Fiction, Book Club Fiction
Trigger Warnings: overdose, drug abuse, child abuse, suicide, sexual assault
Genre: Upmarket Fiction, Book Club Fiction
Trigger Warnings: overdose, drug abuse, child abuse, suicide, sexual assault
October 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Truly an amazing read!!! Such good insight showcasing how neglect can lead to addiction.
I worked at St Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver and I worked mainly with the population of the upper east side community. The details in this book hit home and pulled on some heart strings. 100% recommend!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Truly an amazing read!!! Such good insight showcasing how neglect can lead to addiction.
I worked at St Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver and I worked mainly with the population of the upper east side community. The details in this book hit home and pulled on some heart strings. 100% recommend!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 7, 2023
Less Than is able to clearly portray the unimaginable in this far too common and unforgiving world of dependence. A.D Long takes the “uncomfortable “.. making the reader contend with their own beliefs and assumptions of addiction and of the “less thans”. She entwines it with the complicated and diverse world of family dynamics which is always closer than we all want to believe Highly recommend this debut novel by A.D Long, the first of more to come I’m sure.
D. Schreiber
D. Schreiber
September 4, 2023
Wow! AD Long should be so proud of her debut novel. It is such a well written book on a terribly difficult subject. I felt the same gut wrenching vibes as when I read A Little Life. I liked this book better because I felt it tackled each of the family members involvement contributing to the addiction. Support, guilt, despair, loneliness, rejection, all the things that go with each of these feelings were explored. She did an excellent job describing the life of an addiction and the addicted. It was book that was hard to put down.
August 21, 2025
9/10 I reread the actually book for book club and still stand by my rating but for different reasons. Her writing is incredible specifically when it comes to the life of an addict. You can tell she really knows what that looks and feels like. It read very authentically. I think there were other fictional pieces she tried to weave in that didn’t work as well for me though that I didn’t catch as much at first. However, some of the quotes and paragraphs from this are so moving and so impactful. Still a great read!
9/10 🎧audiobook🎧 First off this is incredibly well written! There were multiple times I had to pause to reread, highlight, and appreciate the writing. Secondly, this is such a raw depiction of addiction not only from the addict’s perspective but from the family’s as well. I almost wish I would’ve read it instead of listening to it but so it goes. I think I actually will reread it and read instead of listen! Regardless, still a very good book!
9/10 🎧audiobook🎧 First off this is incredibly well written! There were multiple times I had to pause to reread, highlight, and appreciate the writing. Secondly, this is such a raw depiction of addiction not only from the addict’s perspective but from the family’s as well. I almost wish I would’ve read it instead of listening to it but so it goes. I think I actually will reread it and read instead of listen! Regardless, still a very good book!
October 11, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing debut work - would give it 6 stars if I could!
This was a challenging beautiful read & I was captivated the entire way through. This will make you confront your own stigmatizing views (which you may not even realize you hold) & rethink your narrative around people who use drugs. I couldn’t recommend this highly enough!
Amazing debut work - would give it 6 stars if I could!
This was a challenging beautiful read & I was captivated the entire way through. This will make you confront your own stigmatizing views (which you may not even realize you hold) & rethink your narrative around people who use drugs. I couldn’t recommend this highly enough!
October 21, 2023
“Less than” is story of a young man named Evann whose struggle with addiction leads him to Vancouver’s lower east side. It delves into his past trauma from an abusive mother and insecurities trying to achieve his goals in school for fine art. Though a work of fiction, it is safe to assume many stories similar to Evann’s exist in the current state of the opioid crisis.
The author did a beautiful job intertwining educational aspects regarding opioid dependence and addiction amongst a heart wrenching story. The depth of Evann’s character left it difficult to believe he didn’t exist beyond the pages. I could easily picture him as my brother, son, or friend and Long showed readers how it only takes a few wrong choices for addiction to grab hold of any individual. This book was naturally split into three parts. Though the entire book was exceptional, part three left me cursing, crying, and in awe of this authors attention to details.
“Less than” is an outstanding debut novel from A.D. Long. Anybody who visits Vancouver’s lower east side can see the insurmountable effects of the opioid crisis. However, Long reminds us that every individual struggling with an opioid addiction has a past, a story, and a dependence to a substance that digs its claws so deep, it can be nearly impossible to escape.
The author did a beautiful job intertwining educational aspects regarding opioid dependence and addiction amongst a heart wrenching story. The depth of Evann’s character left it difficult to believe he didn’t exist beyond the pages. I could easily picture him as my brother, son, or friend and Long showed readers how it only takes a few wrong choices for addiction to grab hold of any individual. This book was naturally split into three parts. Though the entire book was exceptional, part three left me cursing, crying, and in awe of this authors attention to details.
“Less than” is an outstanding debut novel from A.D. Long. Anybody who visits Vancouver’s lower east side can see the insurmountable effects of the opioid crisis. However, Long reminds us that every individual struggling with an opioid addiction has a past, a story, and a dependence to a substance that digs its claws so deep, it can be nearly impossible to escape.
October 29, 2024
4.75/5 Stars ⭐️
Less Than by A.D. Long is a raw, heart-wrenching exploration of addiction and family dynamics. The story follows Evann, a young man navigating the harrowing path of addiction, set against the familiar backdrop of Vancouver and Nanaimo. This was a book club pick for a local group I’m part of, focusing on local authors, and it’s one I’m grateful to have pushed through, despite feeling it was a bit slow at the start.
I won’t sugarcoat it—this book is an emotional journey. By the final hour of reading, I was absolutely sobbing, completely overwhelmed by the authenticity and vulnerability on the page. Long’s portrayal of addiction is one of the most powerful I’ve encountered, resonating deeply not only because of the setting but because Evann’s struggles felt personal, like someone I might have known or gone to school with.
Less Than isn’t an easy read, but it’s a necessary one. It isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a novel that I think everyone should experience. This story doesn’t just tell; it grips you, challenges you, and stays with you long after you’ve closed the final page.
Less Than by A.D. Long is a raw, heart-wrenching exploration of addiction and family dynamics. The story follows Evann, a young man navigating the harrowing path of addiction, set against the familiar backdrop of Vancouver and Nanaimo. This was a book club pick for a local group I’m part of, focusing on local authors, and it’s one I’m grateful to have pushed through, despite feeling it was a bit slow at the start.
I won’t sugarcoat it—this book is an emotional journey. By the final hour of reading, I was absolutely sobbing, completely overwhelmed by the authenticity and vulnerability on the page. Long’s portrayal of addiction is one of the most powerful I’ve encountered, resonating deeply not only because of the setting but because Evann’s struggles felt personal, like someone I might have known or gone to school with.
Less Than isn’t an easy read, but it’s a necessary one. It isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a novel that I think everyone should experience. This story doesn’t just tell; it grips you, challenges you, and stays with you long after you’ve closed the final page.
July 27, 2024
Kudos to first time author A.D. Long for this well-written and all too real novel. The addiction part was hard to read, but what stood out as far worse, to me, was the abuse Evann suffered at the hands of his mother. Long did such a fine job with this character - I absolutely abhorred her manipulative and cold-hearted ways. My only question is, why didn't Auntie Barb, who seemed quite normal, intervene or at least stand up for Evann? Surely, she would have clued in over the years? Other than that, this is a fine novel and so impressive for a debut author!
January 28, 2025
I teach English to new immigrants and no matter what country they are from, the thing that most shocks them about Kelowna is the homeless population. Not that there are homeless people but that they are not confined to a specific part of the city. My perspective is that this is good. When we visibly see the unhoused population, it’s far easier to treat them as real people who have their own stories.
This belief is shared with author A. D. Long. Less Than is a gripping tale about street life and addiction. It follows the main character, Evann, as he navigates downtown Vancouver, and is interspersed with traumatic scenes from his childhood that help to shine a light on how he got to be where he is.
Evann comes from a middle-class, white family on Vancouver Island. He has great artistic talent and goes to university. But he has crippling anxiety, a result of a mother who was emotionally and psychologically abusive to him. At first, he self-medicates with pot and prescription medication. As his tolerance increases, however, he turns to more intense and dangerous sources of escapism.
A.D. Long lives in Kelowna and was a registered nurse, working in an Intensive Care Unit from 2017 through 2019. There she, like everyone else in the medical field, was in the middle of the growing epidemic. While it’s easy to dismiss statistics, it’s not so easy to dismiss real-life people who come in, looking for a way out, but unable to. It was this experience that led her to research and write Less Than.
If you want a happily-ever-after book, Less Than is not it. But it is a poignant reminder that everyone has a story. And when we can learn each other’s stories, we have more compassion, which surely will make the world a better place.
This belief is shared with author A. D. Long. Less Than is a gripping tale about street life and addiction. It follows the main character, Evann, as he navigates downtown Vancouver, and is interspersed with traumatic scenes from his childhood that help to shine a light on how he got to be where he is.
Evann comes from a middle-class, white family on Vancouver Island. He has great artistic talent and goes to university. But he has crippling anxiety, a result of a mother who was emotionally and psychologically abusive to him. At first, he self-medicates with pot and prescription medication. As his tolerance increases, however, he turns to more intense and dangerous sources of escapism.
A.D. Long lives in Kelowna and was a registered nurse, working in an Intensive Care Unit from 2017 through 2019. There she, like everyone else in the medical field, was in the middle of the growing epidemic. While it’s easy to dismiss statistics, it’s not so easy to dismiss real-life people who come in, looking for a way out, but unable to. It was this experience that led her to research and write Less Than.
If you want a happily-ever-after book, Less Than is not it. But it is a poignant reminder that everyone has a story. And when we can learn each other’s stories, we have more compassion, which surely will make the world a better place.
October 5, 2023
💫 Less Than 💫
By AD Long
Publisher: Zada Press (Sept 25.2023)
Genre:
An uncomfortable read full of childhood pain and longing that manifests into a drug addiction and fueled by self hatred because he’ll never live up to his mother’s idea of perfection.
This is not so much dark but just desperately sad. Especially because I have a son the same age.
I would be lying if I said it was easy to read, it’s not. And I think the bottom line is the authors debut set out to tell a story about pain to evoke empathy into seeing addicts as something more than the illness.
I’ve been musing something similar in my mind for the past few years, having read memoirs of addicts and connecting to their stories. But for me… it always comes back to trauma.
Addicts don’t choose that life. No little boy or girl is born wanting to live on the street. That desire to escape, burning into their worlds with such a fierce need, that they cannot see the destruction.
I’m not sure I can rate it. It’s not a memoir but there’s certainly many patients this nurse author has seen that resemble it.
It is uncomfortable. And it reminds me to recommend again to the reader community, a novel called “What Happened To You” by Dr Perry. It’ll change and challenge your opinions as a mother, a teacher and a member of society
By AD Long
Publisher: Zada Press (Sept 25.2023)
Genre:
An uncomfortable read full of childhood pain and longing that manifests into a drug addiction and fueled by self hatred because he’ll never live up to his mother’s idea of perfection.
This is not so much dark but just desperately sad. Especially because I have a son the same age.
I would be lying if I said it was easy to read, it’s not. And I think the bottom line is the authors debut set out to tell a story about pain to evoke empathy into seeing addicts as something more than the illness.
I’ve been musing something similar in my mind for the past few years, having read memoirs of addicts and connecting to their stories. But for me… it always comes back to trauma.
Addicts don’t choose that life. No little boy or girl is born wanting to live on the street. That desire to escape, burning into their worlds with such a fierce need, that they cannot see the destruction.
I’m not sure I can rate it. It’s not a memoir but there’s certainly many patients this nurse author has seen that resemble it.
It is uncomfortable. And it reminds me to recommend again to the reader community, a novel called “What Happened To You” by Dr Perry. It’ll change and challenge your opinions as a mother, a teacher and a member of society
September 23, 2025
I've read a lot of addiction memoirs and novels, and this is absolutely one of the best. Heartbreaking and harrowing... I had to take some breaks to process all the emotions this realistic story evoked as Evann slid deeper and deeper into addiction and despair. The family dynamics that led to his low self-esteem and self-hatred are crafted skillfully into the story, showing that a family may look good on the surface, yet be hiding deep fractures and pain. I wish everyone who looks down on the homeless and addicted would read this book and gain some compassion and understanding. Alyssa Long has written an important and insightful novel. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2023
The start of the book sets the reader in the suffocating, enclosed world of severe drug addiction. As the reader works through the pages and their prejudice and beliefs about the disease and people who suffer through it, the author expands Evann’s universe to everything around his addiction, giving a human perspective and shape to this « destitute ».
August 21, 2025
Excellent book on family impacting children's mental health
I hope this isn't her only book as she had me interested from the beginning. So gutwrenching. How she was able to GRT into Evan's head and put on paper was amazing!
I hope this isn't her only book as she had me interested from the beginning. So gutwrenching. How she was able to GRT into Evan's head and put on paper was amazing!
November 29, 2023
A very well written and powerful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel because of informative it is.
December 3, 2023
Great read. Less than does a great job illustrating the struggles people with addiction go through. Eye opening!
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