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

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I just loved the entire arc or this story, the characters, and how it resolved. Being a Hoosier myself, I love John’s use of Indianapolis landmarks. Because John has OCD himself, the book explains well and gives such compassion for those who struggle with it as well as other mental health crises. I appreciated the ending, which didn’t get resolved from a romantic relationship, money, or even a sheer determination to live. Ava simple tries to accept that we must go on. That the spirals that often are ever tightening downwards also infinitely expand above her. We all just have to keep moving. The friendship conflict felt real, the romantic stuff was put into good juxtaposition. 

Sounds silly but what weakened the book for me was the fact that I’ve listened to the Anthropocene Reviewed. And the subjects he chooses there are also Easter eggs/muses he applies here. Some felt fun, like John’s love for Dr. pepper, but others felt abrupt like Ava’s mom singing Aulde Lang Signe to her.  
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