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ellemaddy 's review for:
Looking for Alaska
by John Green
Looking for Alaska is the first of John Green's book I read. It was an amazing experience.
I read this book in 2012 after I read a tweet by the singer of my favourite band at that time praising Looking for Alaska and when I came across this book at the bookstore, I just had to buy it. My first impression after reading this book was it reminded me a little of Catcher in The Rye and Perks of Being a Wallflower. It had that boarding school and friendship vibe and since in 2012 I just got into college, my mood was somehow related to this book so I was smitten.
THE BAD PART:
Sometimes I find Looking for Alaska a bit unrealistic. It just has all these perfect characters that seem to not exist beyond the pages. Miles 'Pudge' Halter is a doormat. He's not interesting, not even funny nor smart. He's that one character who romanticise other people, describe everything other people do, but rarely reveal anything about himself. His existence seems to be all about praising Alaska's perfection. Before Miles met Alaska he didn't even have any friends or have anything interesting going on, but when he met her his life suddenly became a big neon light that said I LOVE ALASKA, but that was it really. He was still not interesting. The Colonel. He's your regular bad boy but he's incredibly smart and remembers every towns, cities, and capitals. Who does that? I mean, literally, who?? And then there's Alaska. Oh don't even get me started. She's That Girl. The Perfect Girl Everyone Loves because she's so funny, so smart, so mysterious, so sexy, so... perfect. Too perfect, in fact. If she exists in real life I think people would try to avoid her because that girl is t r o u b l e. And the things she says, Jesus. The naives and the pretentious would love her. I know Alaska has imperfections too, but still. You will also get the feeling that John Green tried very hard to make everyone in this book unique, especially Alaska. I mean, she chose her own name, she said things like "I smoke to die" and other quotable tumblr as hell quotes, and despite everything she's still smart and above everyone else.
THE GOOD PART:
I love story about revenge and this book is no exception. I also love story about friendship (especially in boarding school). I have to say that even though the characters are unrealistic and pretentious, I enjoyed this book immensely. Remember, I read this when I was 16 while I tried very hard to be different and to find myself and to be above everyone else and then I found Alaska who was all that. I love the adventure in this book and I longed for the kind of relationship and friendship that the characters have.
THE VERDICT:
If i read this book now I would probably not like it as much (I find tons of books that I like best are the ones I read before I was 17) and I think this book is very suitable for teenagers especially those who haven't found themselves and who long to be different.
I read this book in 2012 after I read a tweet by the singer of my favourite band at that time praising Looking for Alaska and when I came across this book at the bookstore, I just had to buy it. My first impression after reading this book was it reminded me a little of Catcher in The Rye and Perks of Being a Wallflower. It had that boarding school and friendship vibe and since in 2012 I just got into college, my mood was somehow related to this book so I was smitten.
THE BAD PART:
Sometimes I find Looking for Alaska a bit unrealistic. It just has all these perfect characters that seem to not exist beyond the pages. Miles 'Pudge' Halter is a doormat. He's not interesting, not even funny nor smart. He's that one character who romanticise other people, describe everything other people do, but rarely reveal anything about himself. His existence seems to be all about praising Alaska's perfection. Before Miles met Alaska he didn't even have any friends or have anything interesting going on, but when he met her his life suddenly became a big neon light that said I LOVE ALASKA, but that was it really. He was still not interesting. The Colonel. He's your regular bad boy but he's incredibly smart and remembers every towns, cities, and capitals. Who does that? I mean, literally, who?? And then there's Alaska. Oh don't even get me started. She's That Girl. The Perfect Girl Everyone Loves because she's so funny, so smart, so mysterious, so sexy, so... perfect. Too perfect, in fact. If she exists in real life I think people would try to avoid her because that girl is t r o u b l e. And the things she says, Jesus. The naives and the pretentious would love her. I know Alaska has imperfections too, but still. You will also get the feeling that John Green tried very hard to make everyone in this book unique, especially Alaska. I mean, she chose her own name, she said things like "I smoke to die" and other quotable tumblr as hell quotes, and despite everything she's still smart and above everyone else.
THE GOOD PART:
I love story about revenge and this book is no exception. I also love story about friendship (especially in boarding school). I have to say that even though the characters are unrealistic and pretentious, I enjoyed this book immensely. Remember, I read this when I was 16 while I tried very hard to be different and to find myself and to be above everyone else and then I found Alaska who was all that. I love the adventure in this book and I longed for the kind of relationship and friendship that the characters have.
THE VERDICT:
If i read this book now I would probably not like it as much (I find tons of books that I like best are the ones I read before I was 17) and I think this book is very suitable for teenagers especially those who haven't found themselves and who long to be different.