Michael Hogan writes about lifestyle and entertainment, specializing in pop culture and TV. For the
Guardian he rounded up
the ten best New Year’s Eves in culture--film, television, and fiction--including:
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
Not the happiest Hogmanay in culture, admittedly, but Nick Hornby’s 2005 novel opens with its four main characters accidentally choosing the same London roof to jump from on New Year’s Eve. Their plans for a solitary death ruined, TV host Martin (an Alan Partridge-meets-Richard Madeley figure), lonely single mother Maureen, rudely angsty teenager Jess and failed rock star JJ form a pact, agreeing to postpone their suicides. The story unfolds in unexpected directions from there, involving an angel (who looks like a naked Matt Damon), a long-lost sister and a group holiday to Tenerife. Read the blackly comic book rather than subjecting yourself to last year’s godawful film adaptation.
Read about
another entry on the list.
A Long Way Down is among
Jeff Somers's five memorable books set on New Year’s Eve (and Day).
Also see:
John Mullan's ten most notable New Years in literature.
--Marshal Zeringue
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