Sunday 1 January 2012

My review of Looking for Alaska

01/01/12 - Looking for Alaska by John Green - Released 31st March 2011

One single tear slipped down my face....all the emotions I was feeling captured in one tear.

Looking for Alaska
Miles has a quirky interest in famous people's last words, especially François Rabelais's final statement, "I go to seek a Great Perhaps." Determined not to wait for death to begin a similar quest, Miles convinces his parents to let him leave home. Once settled at Culver Creek Preparatory School, he befriends a couple of equally gifted outcasts: his roommate Chip―commonly known as the Colonel—who has a predilection for memorizing long, alphabetical lists for fun; and the beautiful and unpredictable Alaska, whom Miles comes to adore.

The kids grow closer as they make their way through a school year filled with contraband, tests, pranks, breakups, and revelations about family and life. But as the story hurtles toward its shattering climax, chapter headings like "forty-six days before" and "the last day" portend a tragic event―one that will change Miles forever and lead him to new conclusions about the value of his cherished "Great Perhaps."

John Green expertly re-tells the drama of boarding school with a dramatic twist. I fell in love with John's style of writing. Deep and emotional, yet full of fun and laughable moments.

Miles, he's not much is he? He is first described as a skinny and pale....stick, but as the book progresses you realise that his appearance doesn't really matter at all. I found him a lovely character, innocent and inexperienced, not quite sure how to handle life. His love for Alaska was so strong, so true, it was beautiful.

I felt quite bad for Lara, knowing that Miles's attention wasn't really on her. She was a nice girl, who couldn't really pronounce words clearly, which I found hilarious!

Favourite Quote: 
“It's not because I want to make out with her."
Hold on." He grabbed a pencil and scrawled excitedly at the paper as if he'd just made a mathematical breakthrough and then looked back up at me. "I just did some calculations, and I've been able to determine that you're full of s***.”


A wonderfully thought out story with surprising twists. A novel that will make you smile, make you cry and make you laugh out loud!

I rate this book:

7 comments:

  1. I have heard amazing things about John Green and this book, but I sadly have not been able to grab a copy of it yet... It sounds like you really enjoyed it and I can't the quote from above lets me know that it is just the kind of book I would like! Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just read "The Fault in Our Stars" a few weeks ago and I have to say that I totally fell in love with John Green's style of writing. "Looking for Alaska" has been on my wishlist ever since and now, after reading your review, I have to say that I can't wait to finally get and read this one. Sounds like an awesome read.

    ReplyDelete
  3. OMG! I know what you mran when you say you fell in love with John Green's writing style. I recently read The Fault in Our Stars and the same thing happened to me :)
    I wanna read more of his books :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am in the exact same boat as those who posted before me. I read The Fault in Our Stars, and fell hard for John Green. I have a big author crush on him. Thanks for this great review on Looking for Alaska. It has definitely been added to my TBR list.
    Tracy A.J.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love john green first by his Youtube channel, but gradually I learnt that he has unique style to pack a lot of memorable quote on books ;p

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't read looking for alaska but I want to read because I like John Green's book since I read The Falling In Our Stars. Thanks for great review ;)

    ReplyDelete