There are two things that always get me (in a good way) when it comes to books by John Green. His characters, and his philosophy. Both are so masterfully done, that I always have to stop what I'm reading, step back for a moment and just go:"wow"
Quentin Jacobsen is just your average high schooler, trying to get by and have a few good laughs along the way. However, the one thing to complicate this rather laid back plan is one Margo Roth Spiegelman, a childhood friend who has lately drifted to the realms of mystery and unending intrigue. Wanting to know her more and getting caught up in her mischievous ways is soon more than Q and his friends bargained for.
John Green does an excellent job of balancing uniqueness with being relatable when it comes to his characters. Q and Margo and the whole slew of cohorts and confidantes are both recognizable (certain people that I know in my life come to mind) while also embodying personalities so wholly matchless that it leaves me wishing I knew someone like that. His characters are both incredibly human and incredibly out there that one cannot help but get completely caught up in their antics and feel what they feel along with them to the very end.
I love the simplicity of the ideas but the deep and meaningful impact that they make to the characters of the novel and through them, the reader. The title in itself turns out to be this idea that you would never have expected nor come up with on your own. But it surfaces and it makes sense and makes you want to find the little philosophies in your life.
Green succeeds in what all authors hope to succeed in once their novel is produced. He creates not just an enjoyable story, but a memorable one that stays with a reader after months of having finished it. I can still recall the anxiety of the final couple of chapters as the character drew so close to their goal, as I kept reading page after page, waiting to see what the ending would deliver and at the same time trying desperately to form predictions of my own. But that proved easier said than done. Green wowed me, like he's done in previous books and I came away pleasantly contented, amazed and not at all surprised by the awesomeness of what my mind and feelings had just consumed.
Green is a masterful author and deserves all the attention and praise that he has been gaining recently with the release of his fourth book The Fault in our Stars. I myself preordered it, and I know for a fact that it is sitting at home, probably still in packaging, waiting for me. For, my dear readers, I am currently across the pond in good ol' England, studying. And while that in and of itself is exciting, I am at the same time perplexed that everyone else is enjoying an excellent John Green novel but me!
But enough about that. I highly recommend any of Green's books to those of you who are fond of a good story about extraordinary characters that is relatable and an all around good time. It's charming and endearing infused with wit and emotion that some books only dream of conveying. Don't be surprised to see The Fault in our Stars on here an don't be surprise when I once again have nothing but good things to say about it.
Looking for more John Green goodness? Check out his other works: Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines. Or, learn more about the author and his brother on their YouTube channel, Vlogbrothers [link]
I recently read a blog post from the author Maggie Stiefvater (The Scorpio Races, Shiver trilogy) about what constitutes a "review" [link]. So, my dear readers, do not believe me to unbiasedly be presenting a suitable review like all the proper book critics do. This is wholly my opinion based on what I read and felt about that reading. I like to believe that, somewhat, as an English major with a writing concentration, I do know what I'm talking about when presenting a view. But do not take this as an impartial account of a novel. Maybe someday I will cultivate the skills to deliver this proper review, but until then, enjoy my fairly educated, kinda subjected, views on the novels I read.
Hope you all are enjoying your January! Stay warm and stay tune for more literary news! (I promise I do more than just give my opinions on books)
Catch you cool cats later. Peace off.
~“Books are the ultimate Dumpees: put them down and they’ll wait for you forever; pay attention to them and they always love you back.” -John Green, An Abundance of Katherines~
*the blog title is a quote taken from the book Paper Towns by John Green and does not belong to me
