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rholbrook's reviews
595 reviews
Looking for Alaska by John Green
3.0
Maybe I just didn't 'get' this story, but after reading two of Green's novels I'm finding him to be seriously overrated.
For a start, this book irritated me from the beginning due to its unrealistic characterisation and over-dramatic plot twist. For instance, Green seems to think every sixteen year old can't get through the day without a bottle of wine, shot of vodka and pack of cigarettes. Throughout the whole book it felt like Green was exploiting the rebellious, troublesome side of teenagers. The protagonist, Miles, also happened to have a freakish obsession with last words, somehow managing to memorise quotes from everyone to JKF to Thomas Jefferson. Miles refers to himself as a geek, yet still manages to score the girl of his dreams, if only for a short time.
It was cliched moments like this in the book that annoyed me. Added to the fact that the main plot twist was entirely unnecessary and forced, I was not impressed. This was an easy read and I'll admit, at times I loved it and was caught up in the story; I was even moved by certain moments, but generally I think I'll steer clear of John Green's work for a while.
For a start, this book irritated me from the beginning due to its unrealistic characterisation and over-dramatic plot twist. For instance, Green seems to think every sixteen year old can't get through the day without a bottle of wine, shot of vodka and pack of cigarettes. Throughout the whole book it felt like Green was exploiting the rebellious, troublesome side of teenagers. The protagonist, Miles, also happened to have a freakish obsession with last words, somehow managing to memorise quotes from everyone to JKF to Thomas Jefferson. Miles refers to himself as a geek, yet still manages to score the girl of his dreams, if only for a short time.
It was cliched moments like this in the book that annoyed me. Added to the fact that the main plot twist was entirely unnecessary and forced, I was not impressed. This was an easy read and I'll admit, at times I loved it and was caught up in the story; I was even moved by certain moments, but generally I think I'll steer clear of John Green's work for a while.