Looking for Alaska by John Green
I’m almost certain that if I mentioned John Green, the first thing that would pop into your mind is his most famous book- ‘The Fault in Our Stars’. After reading ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ I realised that he was different, fresh and knew how to put a new spin on books based on teenage life. I have to say, it is an amazing book, but it seems
that all of his other books get overlooked. ‘Looking for Alaska’ is a great example of John Green’s raw talent, a kind of talent that can make you close the last page of the novel and come out as a different person.
The book starts like this: one hundred and thirty-six days before. Do you not already feel attached? A countdown to a day, a special day, a day that will change Miles Halter’s life forever. Miles Halter has an unusual interest in learning
famous people's last words. He goes to the boarding school Culver Creek in search of his own "Great Perhaps"
where he meets Alaska Young, the wild, moody, unpredictable, beautiful and enigmatic girl. The story progresses, mostly centred on Miles' life at Culver Creek and his growing attachment to Alaska.
Teenage life is also thrown in on the side, such as pranks and parties. It also focuses on the problems that teenagers may face, such as young love and how brutal growing up can really be.
Miles is a likeable character; he's a bit quirky and, like many teenagers, he falls in love too hard and too fast.
Alaska, on the other hand, is a thoughtless girl who drinks, smokes and doesn't pay too much attention to Miles’ feelings.
Nevertheless, I felt that neither the reader nor Miles got to know Alaska as well as we should.
The amount of time that she is actually present in the book is minimal in comparison to the majority of the novel which is based around her. I
felt that for a girl he had known for such a short time, Miles idolised Alaska too much.
There is no doubt that John Green is a good writer, and this is why so many people like his novels. He writes what teens want to read, and what he writes is
well written. It is definitely a book which delves into what teenage life is all about, young love and the stupid things you do to impress someone.
‘Looking for Alaska’ is a vivid, passionate and intensely moving novel. You may not cry buckets like most people did to ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ but you will certainly get attached, attached like Miles and Alaska were to each other.
that all of his other books get overlooked. ‘Looking for Alaska’ is a great example of John Green’s raw talent, a kind of talent that can make you close the last page of the novel and come out as a different person.
The book starts like this: one hundred and thirty-six days before. Do you not already feel attached? A countdown to a day, a special day, a day that will change Miles Halter’s life forever. Miles Halter has an unusual interest in learning
famous people's last words. He goes to the boarding school Culver Creek in search of his own "Great Perhaps"
where he meets Alaska Young, the wild, moody, unpredictable, beautiful and enigmatic girl. The story progresses, mostly centred on Miles' life at Culver Creek and his growing attachment to Alaska.
Teenage life is also thrown in on the side, such as pranks and parties. It also focuses on the problems that teenagers may face, such as young love and how brutal growing up can really be.
Miles is a likeable character; he's a bit quirky and, like many teenagers, he falls in love too hard and too fast.
Alaska, on the other hand, is a thoughtless girl who drinks, smokes and doesn't pay too much attention to Miles’ feelings.
Nevertheless, I felt that neither the reader nor Miles got to know Alaska as well as we should.
The amount of time that she is actually present in the book is minimal in comparison to the majority of the novel which is based around her. I
felt that for a girl he had known for such a short time, Miles idolised Alaska too much.
There is no doubt that John Green is a good writer, and this is why so many people like his novels. He writes what teens want to read, and what he writes is
well written. It is definitely a book which delves into what teenage life is all about, young love and the stupid things you do to impress someone.
‘Looking for Alaska’ is a vivid, passionate and intensely moving novel. You may not cry buckets like most people did to ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ but you will certainly get attached, attached like Miles and Alaska were to each other.