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Downward
Imagine a man, no stupider or thoughtless than anyone else you might meet.
He struggles with depression and the denial which is so often its travelling companion, and this takes him on a downward spiral which sucks so many others into his wake.
No fall from grace happens to just one person; the high velocity spatter of a life suddenly in ruins touches everyone and no one is ever the same again.
Not everyone crashes and burns in his headlong flight; some are collateral damage and boy, do they deserve it! Some are hurt but can limp away, to carry on lives which are not worse, just different. Others gain knowledge, perspective, and another layer of skin, making them more fit for the rest of their lives.
Love, betrayal, lies and secrets pave the road of good intentions - just as life is never all dark or all light, Downward is peopled with those you will want to slap, those you want to applaud, and those who you just want to hug until you make it better. From the time that tiny pebble starts the avalanche until all lies in chaos at the bottom of the mountain, this book will hold you tight and may never let you go.
He struggles with depression and the denial which is so often its travelling companion, and this takes him on a downward spiral which sucks so many others into his wake.
No fall from grace happens to just one person; the high velocity spatter of a life suddenly in ruins touches everyone and no one is ever the same again.
Not everyone crashes and burns in his headlong flight; some are collateral damage and boy, do they deserve it! Some are hurt but can limp away, to carry on lives which are not worse, just different. Others gain knowledge, perspective, and another layer of skin, making them more fit for the rest of their lives.
Love, betrayal, lies and secrets pave the road of good intentions - just as life is never all dark or all light, Downward is peopled with those you will want to slap, those you want to applaud, and those who you just want to hug until you make it better. From the time that tiny pebble starts the avalanche until all lies in chaos at the bottom of the mountain, this book will hold you tight and may never let you go.
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Published September 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 5 reviews
May 6, 2016
Lost in thought - that's how this book left me.
This book definitely pulled me in then took me on a journey that I kept finding myself rethinking those steps.
We follow Chris Rowan an estate agent, on a journey of self balance, this book is very cleverly written it's bound with life issues that people live with everyday and I really enjoyed how this book was laid out. There was enough twists and turns that had me one minute wanting to shake him then others pat him on the back say 'chin up'
I could give so much away but I won't as this book is one you have to sit and truly take a open mind too I say read alone no disturbance ( I know that's hard ). But this book will have you flowing to the end with questions and once you've indulged in it your want to chat about it to others as this book is one to open up a discussions.
This book was so touching and intriguing your never truly understand Chris's mind set as things like anxiety take root, the way we would of done things are so different then the way they doing them. It's so easy for us to say What, Why! but to him he can't get his mind to think like that it's like a barrier is made and dealt sets in and he might over think things before progressing.
I loved this whole book and each character is unique, inspirational in there own right, even though this book was a little short and I would of loved a few more chapters it's finished with a quality standard.
I give this book 4.5 stars, recommend this to all, I can see this book bringing people together and your certainly be pulled in by its descriptions.
Enjoy.
Read for blog request- Maddie's One Read In Heaven.
This book definitely pulled me in then took me on a journey that I kept finding myself rethinking those steps.
We follow Chris Rowan an estate agent, on a journey of self balance, this book is very cleverly written it's bound with life issues that people live with everyday and I really enjoyed how this book was laid out. There was enough twists and turns that had me one minute wanting to shake him then others pat him on the back say 'chin up'
I could give so much away but I won't as this book is one you have to sit and truly take a open mind too I say read alone no disturbance ( I know that's hard ). But this book will have you flowing to the end with questions and once you've indulged in it your want to chat about it to others as this book is one to open up a discussions.
This book was so touching and intriguing your never truly understand Chris's mind set as things like anxiety take root, the way we would of done things are so different then the way they doing them. It's so easy for us to say What, Why! but to him he can't get his mind to think like that it's like a barrier is made and dealt sets in and he might over think things before progressing.
I loved this whole book and each character is unique, inspirational in there own right, even though this book was a little short and I would of loved a few more chapters it's finished with a quality standard.
I give this book 4.5 stars, recommend this to all, I can see this book bringing people together and your certainly be pulled in by its descriptions.
Enjoy.
Read for blog request- Maddie's One Read In Heaven.
August 7, 2016
Wow! This book is extremely true to its title; the story goes downward, the mood goes downward, and the depression goes downward, with no chance of rising. The main character, Chris Rowan, is a Real Estate agent, or as the book calls it, a Letting Agent. He has a huge streak of bad luck, and it only gets worse.
The writing is lovely, complete with the local slang; the characters are well developed, and the plot is unique and full of twists. I felt for Chris’ family throughout the book. I felt for Chris at times, and I wanted to slap some common sense into him the other times.
The only negative is after reading this book is; I’m left with unanswered questions; the main one being “why?” a lot of actions were left unexplained. I didn’t care for the ending too much either, or the last few chapters. He just kept making choices worse than the previous ones; this isn’t a symptom of depression, it’s an intellectual challenge.
With that being said; I liked Downward, but it could have been better; this is a 3 boundless stars rating....Beth
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The writing is lovely, complete with the local slang; the characters are well developed, and the plot is unique and full of twists. I felt for Chris’ family throughout the book. I felt for Chris at times, and I wanted to slap some common sense into him the other times.
The only negative is after reading this book is; I’m left with unanswered questions; the main one being “why?” a lot of actions were left unexplained. I didn’t care for the ending too much either, or the last few chapters. He just kept making choices worse than the previous ones; this isn’t a symptom of depression, it’s an intellectual challenge.
With that being said; I liked Downward, but it could have been better; this is a 3 boundless stars rating....Beth
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
May 3, 2016
4.5 Stars
A book for the socially astute to digest and reflect on, this is a book that you will probably find best read alone, there are aspects that will leave you bewildered and explaining that gawping look on your face is never an engaging prospect, but it is one that you will want to spar over with friends so it might be good to have your bestie read it at the same time, I know I did- I made her buy it!
The story follows estate agent Chris, now hardly an exciting career choice I know but when things get going I was sure that he was probably thanking his lucky stars that he wasn’t a scientist or surgeon or something along that ilk because when his life starts to implode it does so spectacularly!
There are a number of twists and turns that mean that Chris is facing a torrid time, he is trying to be all things to all people and all the while not really succeeding at being the man he needs to be for himself, I could have throttled him at times, but at others I just had the feeling he needed a hug!
It isn’t easy for anyone to find that happy place, the middle ground between work and life but it has to be there somewhere but when your downtime, the hours where you can close your eyes and shut the world out start to hang heavy over your head too then you know that you are on a slippery slope. Chris was hurling towards that unceremoniously and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
I thought he reacted poorly at times to some situations but then again, I am no expert on how he should have acted given his state of mind. But I think the author played the whole situation very cleverly and wasn’t afraid to shuffle things up a bit but lobbing in the odd curveball every now and again just to make sure you didn’t get too comfortable with the story.
The author packed a lot in what is effectively a fairly short novel and at times it seemed to move a little too fast for the characters but it didn’t take long for the author to actually reign them in again but that being said it takes its toll.
I felt for Chris, I really did, I worried for his sanity and struggled to actually absorb the intensity of what was happening and I do think that is what sets the story apart it makes you think; I mean not just the usually passing fancy of consideration but a proper reflection of “what the heck”
The book is very well written, it is descriptively effective and can certainly be filed in the needs a second read file.
A book for the socially astute to digest and reflect on, this is a book that you will probably find best read alone, there are aspects that will leave you bewildered and explaining that gawping look on your face is never an engaging prospect, but it is one that you will want to spar over with friends so it might be good to have your bestie read it at the same time, I know I did- I made her buy it!
The story follows estate agent Chris, now hardly an exciting career choice I know but when things get going I was sure that he was probably thanking his lucky stars that he wasn’t a scientist or surgeon or something along that ilk because when his life starts to implode it does so spectacularly!
There are a number of twists and turns that mean that Chris is facing a torrid time, he is trying to be all things to all people and all the while not really succeeding at being the man he needs to be for himself, I could have throttled him at times, but at others I just had the feeling he needed a hug!
It isn’t easy for anyone to find that happy place, the middle ground between work and life but it has to be there somewhere but when your downtime, the hours where you can close your eyes and shut the world out start to hang heavy over your head too then you know that you are on a slippery slope. Chris was hurling towards that unceremoniously and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
I thought he reacted poorly at times to some situations but then again, I am no expert on how he should have acted given his state of mind. But I think the author played the whole situation very cleverly and wasn’t afraid to shuffle things up a bit but lobbing in the odd curveball every now and again just to make sure you didn’t get too comfortable with the story.
The author packed a lot in what is effectively a fairly short novel and at times it seemed to move a little too fast for the characters but it didn’t take long for the author to actually reign them in again but that being said it takes its toll.
I felt for Chris, I really did, I worried for his sanity and struggled to actually absorb the intensity of what was happening and I do think that is what sets the story apart it makes you think; I mean not just the usually passing fancy of consideration but a proper reflection of “what the heck”
The book is very well written, it is descriptively effective and can certainly be filed in the needs a second read file.
August 2, 2016
Firstly I have to say the first who pages of the book didn't really draw me in but I am glad that I stuck with it. The story of Chris started off pretty much seeming like he had it together apart from some weird nightmares, to quickly discovering that his life wasn't all it seemed and quickly spiraling downwards as the title suggests. I enjoyed the book, the writing was very good, and easy to read. The flow of it was also very nice. I enjoyed that you sometimes saw things from different people's perspective during the book as well. But I have to say that for me personally I really didn't enjoy the ending. Maybe because it wasn't a happy ever after, cliche I know. Or maybe just because for me it wasn't exactly final. But all in all definitely enjoyed this read, and would recommend other people read it! Especially if you would like more insight into depression and how it really effects somebody's daily life. Also the denial that a majority of men have towards mental health and the stigma attached to it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 5 reviews