Monday, 19 January 2015

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Finishing my 3rd book of 2015 left me emotionally ruined leaving me no choice but to eat some chocolate.
Like most of John Greens books I have been unable to put it's power and meaning into words. Looking for Alaska is in no way different. I was left speechless and crying for ten minutes. I had written, deleted and re written this review several times to make sure I got it right finally settling with this.
In 262 pages Green was able to create a novel that allows teenagers to review their place in the world and deal with eachother better.
Miles Halter is a junior in a boarding school in Alabama. The teen from Florida is used to the sun, but not the heat of the Deep South. He's also not used to being one of the gang, but at Culver Creek this shy boy is accepted for what he is, after being wrapped in duct tape and thrown into a lake.
Like any school, there are cliques, the biggest two being the rich kids who live locally, who go home for the weekend and the kids who are there 24/7.
The latter group adopts Miles, and within that group his particular circle of friends is certainly a right bunch: there is The Colonel, his roommate, who is barely ever refered to by his real name. Takumi, the Japanese kid with the Southern accent; and Alaska Young, "the hottest girl in all of human history." Apart from a demanding school load, their main hobbies consist of smoking, drinking and the Culver Creek tradition of playing pranks on the other group all while avoiding the piercing gaze of The Eagle, the school's headmaster.
The experiences come fast for Miles, but the one thing constantly on his mind, Alaska. Flirty and distant, friendly and angry, unattainable (with a boyfriend in college) and available, and highly intelligent, her personality leads Miles and his friends into a labyrinth of emotions that, after a shattering tragedy, leave him wondering if there is any way out.
Looking for Alaska is funny, sad and inspiring. To all those who read this book, I hope you enjoy it.
Rating:
5 / 5

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