Summary from goodreads:
Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.
After. Nothing is ever the same.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99561.Looking_for_Alaska
Rating: 3.5/5
John Green's Looking for Alaska is a story of a boy named Miles "Pudge" Halter written in third person (limited) point of view. The novel mainly took place at Culver Creek boarding school (but don't you worry, I assure you it does not cling to the "rich and snobby kids go to boarding school" stereotype). Although John Green made the story conversational and fun to read, Looking for Alaska proved itself loyal to certain important themes all throughout the entire 211 pages of its heart rending tale: friendship.....and suffering too, but mostly friendship.
As you may or may not have noticed, John Green is the author of this cruel novel; the same John Green who wrote The Fault in Our Stars. No, this story was not any less heartbreaking than The Fault in Our Stars. However, I do feel it to be a bit unfair to compare the two books due to the difference in subject and nature. (If you have not yet read The Fault in Our Stars, I urge you to read it).
Overall, I liked this book for multiple reasons. Firstly, the way it was written was quite witty and epigrammatic. It did not have an overabundance of big and confusing words, but it didn't have and "under abundance" either. It was just in between the two. Secondly: the characterization. Each character had his or her own unique and distinct personality (if you've read any of my other book reviews, you will notice how important that is to me). Each person had their own quirks and thought out backstories, and I commend John Green for that. And thirdly,the story made me miserable, which is always a sign that the author is doing their job right. There were also things that bothered me as I was reading, but I'm afraid to say that I have not quite yet put my finger on what it was exactly. As soon as I have the moment as to where I am enlightened on what it was, I will make sure to inform you.
I recommend this book if you like John Green's writing (obviously) and like reading depressing books. Disclaimer: this novel may contain unsuitable language and/or ideas.
Rating: 3.5/5
John Green's Looking for Alaska is a story of a boy named Miles "Pudge" Halter written in third person (limited) point of view. The novel mainly took place at Culver Creek boarding school (but don't you worry, I assure you it does not cling to the "rich and snobby kids go to boarding school" stereotype). Although John Green made the story conversational and fun to read, Looking for Alaska proved itself loyal to certain important themes all throughout the entire 211 pages of its heart rending tale: friendship.....and suffering too, but mostly friendship.
As you may or may not have noticed, John Green is the author of this cruel novel; the same John Green who wrote The Fault in Our Stars. No, this story was not any less heartbreaking than The Fault in Our Stars. However, I do feel it to be a bit unfair to compare the two books due to the difference in subject and nature. (If you have not yet read The Fault in Our Stars, I urge you to read it).
Overall, I liked this book for multiple reasons. Firstly, the way it was written was quite witty and epigrammatic. It did not have an overabundance of big and confusing words, but it didn't have and "under abundance" either. It was just in between the two. Secondly: the characterization. Each character had his or her own unique and distinct personality (if you've read any of my other book reviews, you will notice how important that is to me). Each person had their own quirks and thought out backstories, and I commend John Green for that. And thirdly,the story made me miserable, which is always a sign that the author is doing their job right. There were also things that bothered me as I was reading, but I'm afraid to say that I have not quite yet put my finger on what it was exactly. As soon as I have the moment as to where I am enlightened on what it was, I will make sure to inform you.
I recommend this book if you like John Green's writing (obviously) and like reading depressing books. Disclaimer: this novel may contain unsuitable language and/or ideas.
2 comments
I just purchased this book and I can't wait to read it! Great review :) New follower via Google+ and Bloglovin' :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Tell me what you think once you've read it.
DeleteFollowing you back.