Downsiders

Neal Shusterman

ISBN 10: 0689839693 / ISBN 13: 9780689839696

Published by Simon Pulse, 2001

About this Item

Signed. Sixth printing, 2001. Signed and inscribed by Neal Shusterman to Ryan and Lauren. Name inside front cover. No markings on text. Historic Oklahoma Bookstore on Route 66. Packages shipped daily, Mon-Fri. Seller Inventory # mon0000701950

Bibliographic Details

Title: Downsiders

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: 2001

Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Condition: Very Good

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis:

Talon lives Downside, that is, underneath New York City. There is a strict code of secrecy among the Downsiders. However, when Talon accidentally meets a young woman named Lindsay, who is a Topsider (from above the ground), the two worlds inevitably collide. They become friends and love blossoms. The punishment for Talon's lack of discretion could be death. What will happen to them? Will the entire Downsider community be discovered?

From the Author:

My newest, and favorite novel!
When I first thought of writing a subterranean story, I realized that I wanted it to be more than just a fantasy -- I wanted it to say something -- I wanted it to be a powerful, and at times satirical commentary on "Topside" values. What would our society look like to a culture whose whole existence revolved around tunnel life? What sort of cultural problems would occur when the two disparate worlds came into contact. We've seen how an entire people can be crushed beneath the heel of a dominant culture -- even unintentionally. As Downsiders evolved, it became clear to me what this story had to be: A parable about cultural identity. I wanted to tell a story about the triumph of human dignity over poverty, and of a culture trying to maintain its identity in the face of assimilation. While on one level it's a fun, and humorous whimsical fantasy, on another level, it's very real. I think it's my best book.