The Universe Vs Alex Wood Analysis

Can happy endings be sad? The universe versus Alex wood tells the story of 17 year old Alex, who as a ten year old, was struck by a meteorite on the head, leading him to becoming an epileptic obsessed with astronomy. Born to a clairvoyant mother and a non-existing father, Alex has been lonely most of his life. So when a disastrous incident involving three bullies, a greenhouse and an epileptic fit brings Alex in contact with Mr. Peterson, a Vietnam veteran, it is the start of an extraordinary and very unlikely friendship. This novel is the début novel by a young English writer named Gavin extence and was published in 2013. The universe versus Alex Wood has come to won the Waterstones Eleven award and was nominated for the National Book Awards.

The setting is not relevant at all in this story, mainly due to it focusing more on Alex’s actions and emotions. The universe versus Alex wood is not just your typical coming of age novel, it has a lot of deep meaning and perceptions that makes it one step more. The values and events that are threaded throughout are at times hilarious but also tragic. The tale draws you in, taking you along Alex and Mr Peterson’s journey and how they take on the fundamentals of human rights as well as the misfortune of everyday living. However, it is a thought-provoking piece of fiction that deals with many controversial and important subjects - such as bullying, free will, life, death, and morality. It's also about assisted suicide and has a tough and contemporary theme requiring a truly opened mind reader.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods is written as a first person retrospective narrative in the style of Kurt Vonnegut, whose works play a rather important role in the novel to both Alex and Mr. Peterson. Alex's first person narrative in the novel is one of the reasons it is such a compelling read. It is straightforward and easy to get with a humorous take on things which if written in