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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dnf at 51%
Just found it boring.
Just found it boring.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Best YA I've read in a long time. I was a bit wary of John Green after not loving The Fault in Our Stars as much as the rest of the world. I picked this one up now because I wanted to read more of his and with the movie coming out I obviously saw it around more. I'm glad I did because it was fantastic. And now I crave a road trip.
Since I have seen a number of reviews commenting on the similarity of his characters throughout his works, I should note that I have not read anything else by John Green, and hence, can't comment on that criticism.
I can, however, comment on the criticism that Green can't write realistic teen dialogue. For starters, realistic dialogue in any fiction is a fallacy, as the way humans speak in everyday language -- uhm... uhh... what was I saying... -- is not nearly straightforward enough to be transcribed into compelling dialogue. That said, I don't think Green's dialogue is a bad example of teen dialogue, I just think it is a bad example of current teen dialogue. I recognized the language Green used from when I was a teenager -- down to the use of the word dillhole, a word I have not heard in a very long time -- and, no surprise, John Green is about my age, which means he is writing excellent Gen X teen dialogue, except, oops, with Millennial teen characters.
The novel checked two boxes for me: 1) Mystery 2) Bildungsroman. While it's not the best example of either, it was a well written enough example of each that I finished it in one night, staying up quite late to see how the mystery would be resolved. As far as that goes, the ending was one of the things I appreciated the most about this novel. While very hard for me to say much about it without spoiling anything, I will say that it felt earned, and didn't wrap up with a bow on it, as I suspect the movie adaptation might. It's wasn't too saccharine, or macabre, but felt genuine, plausible, and satisfying without being too neatly tied up.
This novel reminded me, to varying degrees, of a number of other bildungsroman stories -- notably the novels [b:The Perks of Being a Wallflower|22628|The Perks of Being a Wallflower|Stephen Chbosky|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363910637s/22628.jpg|2236198], [b:Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist|25373|Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist|Rachel Cohn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1425188149s/25373.jpg|929639], and [b:The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys|164955|The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys|Chris Fuhrman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328809220s/164955.jpg|159266] and the movies Garden State and Brick. So if those stories appealed to you, this might as well.
I can, however, comment on the criticism that Green can't write realistic teen dialogue. For starters, realistic dialogue in any fiction is a fallacy, as the way humans speak in everyday language -- uhm... uhh... what was I saying... -- is not nearly straightforward enough to be transcribed into compelling dialogue. That said, I don't think Green's dialogue is a bad example of teen dialogue, I just think it is a bad example of current teen dialogue. I recognized the language Green used from when I was a teenager -- down to the use of the word dillhole, a word I have not heard in a very long time -- and, no surprise, John Green is about my age, which means he is writing excellent Gen X teen dialogue, except, oops, with Millennial teen characters.
The novel checked two boxes for me: 1) Mystery 2) Bildungsroman. While it's not the best example of either, it was a well written enough example of each that I finished it in one night, staying up quite late to see how the mystery would be resolved
Spoiler
Would Margo be alive or dead when they inevitably found herThis novel reminded me, to varying degrees, of a number of other bildungsroman stories -- notably the novels [b:The Perks of Being a Wallflower|22628|The Perks of Being a Wallflower|Stephen Chbosky|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363910637s/22628.jpg|2236198], [b:Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist|25373|Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist|Rachel Cohn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1425188149s/25373.jpg|929639], and [b:The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys|164955|The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys|Chris Fuhrman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328809220s/164955.jpg|159266] and the movies Garden State and Brick. So if those stories appealed to you, this might as well.
Not my favorite John Green book, but it is thought provoking. Would recommend another.
First off, I'm totally biased. I heart John Green. Ok, the story starts with the childhood friendship of Q and Margo. And, of course, things change as they get to high school. Margo has become a bit of an anomaly. There are all kinds of stories about the crazy things she does. One night, Margo shows up at Q's window and takes him on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The next day she disappears, without a trace. Q is convinced that Margo has left clues behind. That she wants him to find her. So, Q begins the search for Margo.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found it pretty good-ish. It left me feeling a bit empty as if there wasn't much fulfilment and I kind of feel like there was a lot of ways that the book missed out on telling. For example, the road trip could've been the story and I would've loved it, maybe more pitstops and events, drama. I don't really know but it's mostly because I wish it had a different ending since Quentin put all this effort into looking for her. at the end, they just parted ways. Which, in my opinion just confuses me. Mainly because why would you leave a person you put so much effort for, except that there's also this realistic "twang" or sense of sadness/emptiness that you feel when you leave behind people or you lose that friendship between someone and I feel like it's similar to it. BUT in the story it feels like a buildup to a friendship/relationship then we get a straight down. What I mean is, it feels like there's this gradual buildup to finding Margo until it just drops without a really fulfilling resolution. a part of me wished that they went on the road trip with them slowly getting to know the real personality of the other, and then there would be a sequel.