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pooh08's review against another edition
4.25
"Looking for Alaska" by John Green! It's a coming-of-age story that follows Miles "Pudge" Halter as he leaves his safe life behind and enters the unpredictable world of Culver Creek Boarding School. He meets Alaska Young, a captivating and complex girl who completely changes his life. The book explores themes of love, loss, friendship, and the search for meaning. It's known for its emotional depth and thought-provoking storytelling.
aaambi17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
i had been wanting to read "Looking for Alaska" for some time but it wasn't until I read "Fault in Our Stars" that I made a point of it.
Although it lacks the emotional connection (just for me personally) that FIOS had, I still enjoyed it.
One of my favourite things about Green's writing is that he isn't scared to portray teenagers as they actually are. They have sex, not everything is love at first sight etc etc. When he writes about their lives, I feel as though it is a genuine representation.
As a writer, he masters emotional experiences, such as a friend's death or cancer, but wonderfully doesn't work towards a neat little bow at the end. There are unanswered questions just as there are in life and I personally enjoy that. It's refreshing.
I wish some of the more minor characters like Lara and Takumi had been drawn out a bit more or even the Colonol. While I enjoyed getting to know them, they still seemed to come across one-dimensional. It might only be Alaska who seemed to surprise me as appearing like a real person. She had flaws, passion, drive, and ambition. The others seemed to just have vices and one special unique thing (like Miles' obsession with last words).
But overall I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it. If you haven't read FIOS, please do.
Although it lacks the emotional connection (just for me personally) that FIOS had, I still enjoyed it.
One of my favourite things about Green's writing is that he isn't scared to portray teenagers as they actually are. They have sex, not everything is love at first sight etc etc. When he writes about their lives, I feel as though it is a genuine representation.
As a writer, he masters emotional experiences, such as a friend's death or cancer, but wonderfully doesn't work towards a neat little bow at the end. There are unanswered questions just as there are in life and I personally enjoy that. It's refreshing.
I wish some of the more minor characters like Lara and Takumi had been drawn out a bit more or even the Colonol. While I enjoyed getting to know them, they still seemed to come across one-dimensional. It might only be Alaska who seemed to surprise me as appearing like a real person. She had flaws, passion, drive, and ambition. The others seemed to just have vices and one special unique thing (like Miles' obsession with last words).
But overall I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it. If you haven't read FIOS, please do.
chrisadams's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
saffcarmen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookdevouringmisfit's review against another edition
4.0
Brilliant. My thoughts on this book are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.
katie_ob's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
2.0
I guess my expectations were just too high. I loved the previous two books by Green that I read, [b:The Fault in Our Stars|11870085|The Fault in Our Stars|John Green|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1360206420l/11870085._SY75_.jpg|16827462] and [b:Turtles All the Way Down|35504431|Turtles All the Way Down|John Green|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503002776l/35504431._SY75_.jpg|21576687] and fully thought I'd feel the same way about this one. I didn't.
Maybe I'm too old... I remember high school and the emotions and drama that went along with it but I didn't care about any of these young people. The protagonist was unlikable to me and struck me as completely self-absorbed and self-centered. I kept waiting for the scene that would turn it all around for me but it never came. In fact, I was mightily tempted several times to just quit but I wanted to be able to check it off of the Great American Read list so I hung in. I'm just glad I'm done.
Maybe I'm too old... I remember high school and the emotions and drama that went along with it but I didn't care about any of these young people. The protagonist was unlikable to me and struck me as completely self-absorbed and self-centered. I kept waiting for the scene that would turn it all around for me but it never came. In fact, I was mightily tempted several times to just quit but I wanted to be able to check it off of the Great American Read list so I hung in. I'm just glad I'm done.