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A review by sara_has_no_h
Looking for Alaska by John Green
4.0
Typically I follow a rating system of stars based on whether I would read the book again or not or buy the book or not.
This book made me deviate. And I like that.
While based on my usual system, this book would've earned 3 stars (I liked it, but most likely won't read it a second time), it managed to pull a 4 star simply because I read the last 120 pages in one tear soaked, ugly cry sitting. I still do not plan on reading it a second time (it was a little too teen-y for me and the way John Green made Alaska's obviously unhealthy personality and lifestyle seem desirable made me want to kick my past teenage self's ass for thinking it was attractive to act in similar ways), but the raw emotion it pulled from me during the After was real and honest writing.
It's just so true. The way different people grieve a loss. Blaming the person who died for dying. Never knowing their last thoughts. Questioning what you meant to them and if they knew what they meant to you. The guilt from last words spoken and the "I should've"s. The unanswered questions are what drive us home when we lose someone and I feel Green hit the nail on the head with the last 100 or so pages of this book.
Also, I feel like this book did exactly what it was meant to do. Teens would eat this stuff up. It's very relatable to adolescent lives and plays on all of the desired experiences teens are still waiting to have. Dodging getting caught, smoking, drinking, sex, love, and of course, balancing school between all of it.
I wish I had read this book in my teens rather than my 20's. It would've earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf while I daydreamed about being an Alaska type girl full of mystery and sexuality rather than back to my local library while I reminisce about how Chip was doing it right.
All in all, this was a good book with a good story and a GREAT portrayal of emotions.
And in conclusion... 4 stars for you, Mr. Green.
You broke my system.
This book made me deviate. And I like that.
While based on my usual system, this book would've earned 3 stars (I liked it, but most likely won't read it a second time), it managed to pull a 4 star simply because I read the last 120 pages in one tear soaked, ugly cry sitting. I still do not plan on reading it a second time (it was a little too teen-y for me and the way John Green made Alaska's obviously unhealthy personality and lifestyle seem desirable made me want to kick my past teenage self's ass for thinking it was attractive to act in similar ways), but the raw emotion it pulled from me during the After was real and honest writing.
It's just so true. The way different people grieve a loss. Blaming the person who died for dying. Never knowing their last thoughts. Questioning what you meant to them and if they knew what they meant to you. The guilt from last words spoken and the "I should've"s. The unanswered questions are what drive us home when we lose someone and I feel Green hit the nail on the head with the last 100 or so pages of this book.
Also, I feel like this book did exactly what it was meant to do. Teens would eat this stuff up. It's very relatable to adolescent lives and plays on all of the desired experiences teens are still waiting to have. Dodging getting caught, smoking, drinking, sex, love, and of course, balancing school between all of it.
I wish I had read this book in my teens rather than my 20's. It would've earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf while I daydreamed about being an Alaska type girl full of mystery and sexuality rather than back to my local library while I reminisce about how Chip was doing it right.
All in all, this was a good book with a good story and a GREAT portrayal of emotions.
And in conclusion... 4 stars for you, Mr. Green.
You broke my system.