Looking For Alaska

The way that John Green writes really flows and that makes for an easy read. The plot is well planned and the pace is good. The only flaw, in my judgement anyway, is that the characters maybe aren't as believable as I would like. Definitely worth your time.

It's good, it's great, but it is quite self-indulgent (even for a YA book) and I think the second half could really have been better. For a debut novel though, it is very good and I think it should be read by teenagers as it deals with various issues they often face.

"How will I ever get out of this labyrinth" - Simon Bolivar

Miles Halter, John Green's protagonist in Looking For Alaska, is fascinated by famous and obscure last words and tired of his safe life at home. So, as he leaves for boarding school at Culver Creek to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps", he finds himself centered in a didactic and enlightening world of discovery, deep friendships and meditations on love, life and human frailty.

As Mr. Green presents his novel in two parts, the author is able to subvert the light aura of romanticism of the first section with a significantly stunning shift into more somber and introspective naturalism in part two. Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another with a sublime balance of humor, danger, sentimentality and existential crisis.

Reader reviewed by Jadore

It was such a great read. But it was good and
boring at the same time. I like the writing, I like every character (except for
Alaska) but sometimes the writing can be dull.

This is the first John Green book I read and Ive
to say, Im impressed. I like the fact that the main character is very
philosophical and good student. I felt pity for him but he was a gentleman.

Alaska? She is a sweet girl too. She is& crazy. Just
crazy. Its hard to understand her; and she is just different. She is nice,
good looking and friendly but I didnt really like her. I think she is
maddening. However, I like the fact that she is a certified bookworm.

This book rocks! It was a great book and I enjoyed
it. The best thing about this book is that, it is written from the males
perspective. Most of the time YA authors are womens and we usually get the
girls perspective and all her mushy feelings (Im not saying its bad, it
isnt). This book shows what it is to be a teenage boy and how they handle
things. I adore this book. I do recommend it for anybody.

 

Reader reviewed by Julia Kunemund

            Looking For Alaska, by John Green, makes you think about your life in a different way. It shows that sometimes you have to branch out from your normal routine, and take a leap into the unknown to truly live you life. The main character, Miles (also known as Pudge), journeys to a boarding school in search of his Great Perhaps, and there he makes new friends Chip the Colonel Martin and Alaska Young. Miles soon falls in love with Alaska, whose unbridled spirit and strange mood swings leave Miles constantly trying to unravel her mystery. His friends open him up to new experiences and different ways of thinking, and show that people can change you, for better or worse, but their lessons stick with you forever.

            There are two parts to this book, labeled before and after, where before you learn about Miles and get a feel for the characters and plot, and after Miles seems to change as he tries to solve a mystery with his friends.

            I liked this book a lot, although the second part drags along a bit. John Greens style of writing is unique, and he has other books out that were good as well, like Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherines.

Reader reviewed by mearley

Miles Halter is a new student at an Alabama boarding school.  He is quickly drawn into a circle of friends bound by their prank war against another clique and their quest to find a safe place to smoke where the dean won't bust them.  Miles, like many other boys at the school, falls in love with Alaska, an intriguing girl who is the group's clear leader.  None of them, however, are prepared for the shock Alaska is going to give them.

Graphic discussion of sex and liberal use of alcohol make this only appropriate for more mature high school students.  However, John Green's excellent writing style and examination of the meaning of life, suicide, and the possibilities of life after death raise this novel above the typical sex-booze-and-pranks-at-boarding-school story.

Reader reviewed by Averie

Looking For Alaska is one of my favorite books and John Green is an amazing author. The book follows the story of a boy whos just normal. There isn't anything really outstanding about him. He doesn't have the coolest firends, he doesn't have any firends really. He moves to a new boarding school where he joins a group of very eccentric firends. He starts to understand what it is to have firends and maybe even fall in love. Its a great book with an unexpected outcome. Marvelously funny with just a touch of heartache.  

Reader reviewed by ambeen

Looking for Alaska is a great novel. The teenage angst and insecurities are perfectly pitched. The boarding school setting is a common one nowadays, but it really felt like a part of the story instead of a plot device to get the characters away from parental supervision. There is the issue of whether or not the sex scene is inappropriate. It is an awkward, embarrassing encounter. Very realistic and nothing to be concerned about, in my opinion. There's been worse in YA literature. Anyway, Looking for Alaska is a great book, a great introduction to the writing of the full of awesome John Green!

Reader reviewed by hillary

Miles is going to boarding school. But it's not like he's leaving a bunch of friends and is totally depressed by the thought. That's right, he actually does want to go. When he finally gets there, he meets his roommate, Chip Martin, more commonly know as the Colonel, who introduces him to Alaska Young, the pretty girl a few doors down that Miles it totally fascinated with. They hang out and become friends throughout the school year. But then, something terrible happens and everything becomes completely different.

The book really held my attention. It's split up into two parts, before and after. Luckily I was able to overpower the curiosity that made me want to flip right to the after and know what happens and I am so glad that I did. Which is pretty much my way of saying that if you want the book to be as wonderful as it was for me, then don't you dare look ahead.

This book is great and I would definitely recommend it to anyone I know. I liked it so much I don't trust very many people with it and therefore have only allowed two people to read it, my fellow book lover/best friend and my older brother. This book can be liked by both girls and boys. And I think the cover is absolutely gorgeous. I know, you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover but it's nice to have something pretty to look at when you're done.

Also if you like this book, check his other book, An Abundance of Katherines. I haven't read it yet but I'm sure it's just as good.

Reader reviewed by Megan

Miles Halter was always a fan of last words. While some people pride themselves on knowing the capitals of the states, Miles prides himself on knowing famous peoples last words. So when Miles reads a biography of Francois Rabelais, he learns his last words were I go to seek a Great Perhaps. Convinced now that he himself is after a Great Perhaps, Miles begins his journey at Culver Creek boarding school.
His roommate Chip (called Colonel) introduces Miles (whom he nicknames Pudgie complete irony, seeing as Miles is insanely skinny) to his friend Takumi, and more importantly, to Alaska. After meeting Alaska, Miles is sure that he is in love with her. She completely confuses him, being flirty and sweet one day, then moody the next. But, Miles continues to hang out with these people who become his friends, and he agrees to help out with the pranks that they are planning. After all, they are teenagers and invincible what could go wrong?
John Greene entertains readers with these unique characters. My favorite character is Alaska; there is no doubt about it. Just the fact that her character was given the power to pick her own name shows how unique she really is. The whole novel was definitely unique in its story line, and I really enjoyed reading it.