Long Way Down is a thought-provoking novel written by Jason Reynolds. The story follows a young boy named Will, who embarks on an elevator journey to seek revenge for his brother’s death. Throughout his descent, Will encounters various individuals who share their own perspectives on life, loss, and the value of forgiveness. These powerful quotes from Long Way Down will leave you contemplating the profound themes explored in the book.
Jason Reynolds masterfully weaves together the voices of different characters, presenting a diverse range of experiences and emotions. The quotes from Long Way Down provide glimpses into the raw and honest thoughts of these individuals, highlighting the impact of violence and the importance of empathy. These quotes serve as reminders that our choices have consequences and that even in the face of tragedy, there is always room for growth and understanding.
Whether you have read Long Way Down or are considering picking it up, these quotes will give you a taste of the emotional journey that awaits within its pages. So, sit back, reflect, and let these powerful words resonate with you.
Read these Long Way Down quotes:
“Sometimes you can only find Heaven by slowly backing away from Hell.”
“It’s strange how you give the people you love so much power over you.”
“But if blood inside you is on the inside of someone else, you never want to see it on the outside of them.”
“I guess that’s what I’m supposed to do, too, right? Smile. Be polite. Keep my hands visible. Keep my eyes down. Look straight ahead. Just like my father told me. I guess that’s what I’m supposed to do. Right?”
“But I do know you can’t be too careful these days. Not in your own neighborhood. Not in your own house.”
“I just want somebody to love me. For me. Not for my name or for my brother’s name, but for me.”
“Truth is, I don’t know how I feel. I just know what I’m supposed to feel. What I’m expected to feel. What I’m told I should feel. I don’t know what I feel.”
“In the night, there’s always someone with a gun. And they’re always shooting something, or someone.”
“It’s not that I don’t care. I just don’t got no tears left to cry.”
“Maybe we all dead. Maybe we all just spirits, waiting for our bodies to catch up.”
“People say that if you get lost in a book, you’ll find yourself. But it’s not until you’re lost in someone else’s story that you find out who you really are.”
“Maybe all of this is just part of growing up, becoming a man, and realizing that it’s not just about you anymore. It’s about the people you love, and the people who love you.”
“What if the blood on your hands is the same as the blood on mine?”
“Words are just words, but they can be bullets or seeds.”
“Sometimes, the people we love the most are the ones we hurt the most.”
“I don’t know if I’m crying for Shawn anymore, or for me, or for the world, or for nobody in particular. Or all of it at once.”
“It’s funny how in the dark, when someone scares you, they’re always laughing when you realize it’s them.”
“But then again, maybe that’s what life is: a long drawn-out trip up the stairs, a long, slow ride down.”
“No crying. No snitching. Revenge. That’s the code I’m living by.”
“Sometimes, you can know somebody all your life and still not know them.”
These Long Way Down quotes provide a glimpse into the captivating and thought-provoking narrative that Jason Reynolds has crafted. Each quote holds a deeper meaning and serves as a reminder to reflect on our choices, question societal expectations, and strive for empathy and understanding. If you are ready for an emotional and transformative reading experience, Long Way Down is a must-read.
