2017 Oct 4
Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .
After. Nothing is ever the same.
John Green is undoubtedly one of the most popular teenage and young adult author of this generation. Over the years, his novels have become increasingly popular and gained much media attention. His first novel, Looking for Alaska, is no different. This highly controversial novel won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award and led the association’s list of the most challenged books for 2015 because of profanity and sexually explicit scenes. The constant debate regarding censorship aside, Looking for Alaska is definitely worth a read.
The novel is loved by many due to its uncanny way of describing the difficulties of teenagers and portraying the teenage perspective on life. It brings forth fresh new ideas and is written in an easy, yet highly meaningful way. Nevertheless, it gained many negative reviews as well. The buildup leading to the end of the story was largely predictable and arguably monotonous in tone. However, it is simply a short novel which intends on conveying a bigger message and succeeds in this aspect – it will definitely tug at your heartstrings.
Rating: 3.8/5
