Well, without having read the story, we can make some educated guesses. There might be a young and curious protagonist who embarks on this long journey to seek adventure or answers. And there may be an older, more experienced character who serves as a mentor, guiding the younger one through the various challenges of the long journey.
One of the main themes could be exploration. In many science fiction stories, a long journey like 'The Long Way Round' often involves exploring new planets, galaxies or even different dimensions. Another theme might be self - discovery. The characters on this long journey are likely to learn a great deal about themselves, their capabilities and limitations. Also, it could touch on the theme of survival, as they face various challenges and obstacles during their long - distance travels.
There is Ishmael Beah, who is the central figure in 'a long way gone story'. His journey from an innocent boy to a child soldier and then his struggle to regain his humanity forms the core of the story. Then there are his comrades in the war, with whom he shares the hardships and the violence. There are also the adults he encounters, like the UNICEF workers who try to rehabilitate him. All these characters contribute to the complex web of relationships and experiences that make up the story.
Since I don't have the details of this particular 'long way down story', it's hard to say exactly. However, it's likely to have a central character who drives the plot forward during this long way down. There might also be some supporting characters that the main character meets along the way, like a mentor figure or an antagonist who tries to stop the main character from reaching their destination on this long way.
One main theme could be exploration. Just like the title implies taking the long way around, it might involve exploring different worlds or concepts in the science - fiction realm. Another could be perseverance. Since it's the long way, the characters may need to persevere through various difficulties.
As I'm not acquainted with 'the round girl story', I can't accurately name the main characters. However, thinking about it, in addition to the girl who is the focus due to being 'round' in some way, there might be a mentor - like figure in the story, someone who helps the girl understand herself better. There could also be a antagonist, perhaps someone who teases or makes the girl feel bad about her 'roundness' at the start of the story, but through the course of the story, she overcomes this with the help of other positive characters.
The main characters include Jess, a troubled girl. Martin, who is facing a scandal in his life. Maureen, an older lady with her own set of troubles, and JJ, a musician dealing with his career and personal life problems. They all meet on the rooftop and their stories intertwine throughout the 'A Long Way Down Short Story'.
Each of these characters has their own backstory that is gradually revealed as the story progresses. Their interactions with one another are what drive the story forward, as they learn about each other and themselves while on that rooftop, debating whether or not to take that final step down.
There are four main characters. One is Jess, a young woman with her own set of problems. Then there's Martin, an older man. Another is Maureen, an older woman. And there's also JJ, a young guy. Each of them has their own reasons for being on the rooftop at the start of the story.
I'm not sure specifically without reading the novel, but typically there would be a protagonist who is on the long journey home. Maybe it's a young person who has been away from home for a long time due to some reasons like adventure or being forced to leave.
I'm not sure exactly, but it might be a lone traveler. You know, often in such novels, there is one central character who embarks on this long journey back.