A review by cstein
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This, to me, is such an important book. Though the plot itself may not be tremendously innovative, Green's descriptions of the emotional highs and lows of life with anxiety/OCD are at once nauseating, jarring, and comforting in their accuracy. The last few paragraphs gave me goosebumps. As with "The Anthropocene Reviewed," I am profoundly grateful for Green's work here. A rare reread.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Vomit

Minor: Bullying, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol