Friday 13 June 2014

Book Review - Looking For Alaska by John Green

Hello everyone. I hope, as always, that you are all doing well. Today I am reviewing my second John Green book that I have absolutely loved! I must admit that in-between The Fault In Our Stars which I reviewed here and Looking For Alaska I did read An Abundance Of Katherines and it wasn't all that I was hoping for to be honest! Go check out my Goodreads for my review on there! Anyway! Today I will be reviewing Looking For Alaska which was all I was hoping for and more! 

Looking For Alaska by John Green

The story is centred around a guy called Miles and as you can imagine a girl called Alaska. Miles begins attending a boarding school and meets Alaska Young; a girl with a troubled past that doesn't get in her way.  The storyline focuses not only on these two characters developing relationship but also the developing relationships amongst their close friends. Miles has a fascination about famous last words which is constantly shown throughout the book alongside his longing to find 'a great perhaps'.

John Green takes the reader along with Miles, Alaska and their group of friends on an exiting journey of development, experiences and self growth with the characters. The usual teenage antics occur within the book which gives it a great element of light hearted reading at points. 

The structure of the book is fantastic. The book is structured in to a 'before' and 'after' countdown. As you can imagine the paragraphs 'before' lead up to a dramatic event in the book and 'after' is everything after that event! This structure really builds up tension!

I would describe this book as a coming of age novel. I won't spoil the ending for you (as I always try to provide spoiler free reviews) however let me tell you that the ending links back to reality and what growing up can bring. The realisation that anything can happen and that the fun times of youth are often short lived. 

Like many others have commented; John Green sticks to a formula with his books. He has a boy that is madly in love with a girl and the whole book is focussed on a journey. To be honest this formula works for him! I must admit I have tried to space out his books by reading them in between others or alongside bigger books as one after the other can make the structure of his stories seem repetitious. Overall though he develops them well. It is not like a 'copy and paste' of each story. Every character and storyline he creates is beautifully well devloped! Though I still don't care much for An Abundance of Katherines... Sorry!

Have you read Looking For Alaska by John Green or any of his other books? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!

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18 comments:

  1. i'm currently reading the fault in our stars (and loving it) and i really want to read this, i've been put off from what some friends have said but your review has convinced me to still give it a go - nice review :)

    http://bsarahoates.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I bought all of John Green's books all at once to try! I think no matter what I was going to read them all! I would definitely recommend you give it a go!

      Claire

      xxx

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  2. I love all of John Green's books! The Fault In Our Stars and Looking For Alaska are my favourites, still got to read An Abundance of Katherines and Paper Towns :) xx

    everythingbutthekitchen.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I've just finished Paper Towns - think I'll be reviewing that book too! As for An Abundance of Katherines I wasn't the biggest fan but I got through it!

      Claire

      xxx

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  3. I've read all his books now and agree that while the formula is the same they are each so different, I've really enjoyed them all. Can't wait to see the fault in our stars in cinema this week xx

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    1. Exactly - which takes great skill to achieve. He has definitely found a formula that works! I am so exited for the film!

      Claire

      xxx

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  4. I have read this & I liked it, but still think Fault in our stars was better by far! x

    http://itscatherrine.blogspot.ie/

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    1. I don't think you can beat The Fault In Our Stars!

      Claire

      xxx

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  5. I've heard such great things about this book but I definitely need to read the Fault in Our stars first! I have such a long book list building up! x

    Mapped Out | Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle

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    1. I'm the same! My book pile is getting increasingly bigger!

      Claire

      xxx

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  6. I've heard so many good things about this but never got round to reading it. I loved Fault in our Stars and love when an author has a 'formula' because you know you're going to like them all (Jodi Picoult is fab for that!). Definitely going to give this a go :)

    Lo at Notebook 54

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    1. I recommend you give this a go! I have read a few f Jodi Picoult's books and I agree - sometimes you fancy a certain read and when an author has a certain formula you know where to look!

      Claire

      xxx

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  7. I'm about to start The Fault in our Stars.. Heard amazing things about John Green! This book sounds really good too :)

    Nicola xx
    www.nicolabishopx.com

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  8. I've still not read any John Green books - I need to get on it! x

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    1. You should definitely give his books a try!

      Claire

      xxx

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  9. I love John Green and this book is probably my favourite of his!

    www.bellechaton.co.uk

    xx

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