Looking for Alaska - John Green
Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .
After. Nothing is ever the same.
After. Nothing is ever the same.
Cover
Meh. I like the cover with the flower, but not the one with the water. It seems off, even though there are a lot of references.
Miles/Pudge
Oh-kay. Hard one. To be honest, I should feel sorry for him and all. But I don't. He was in love with one of his friends and lead his girlfriend on? That is not okay? He even kissed Alaska.... while he was still with his girlfriend. Like, I know that it could have never worked, but that should not have happened. Also, his habit to memorise 'famous last words'? Ridiculous. Like, come on, who would actually do that. It's just a John Green attempt to make him this deep and interesting character. It only made him weirder in my opinion. While he is an interesting character, I didn't feel anything for him.
Alaska Young
Again, mixed opinions. I don't really like her. She should have gotten a bit more time so I could get to know her better as well. For me, she was kind of a troubled, depressed... player. She played Miles. Yes, she did tell him she had a boyfriend and all, but she asked him to 'hook up' with her. Really? You're both in a relationship? Also, the things she said. "I smoke to die", just.... really. I actually laughed when she said that. It was such bullcrap. I don't like her. I am supposed to like her, but she's not likeable.
Other side-characters
Okay, so we have Takumi and Colin. Colin was not interesting, and Takumi wasn't either. Sorry, oops, moving on.
The ending
In my opinion, the reason she died (this isn't a spoiler, or is it?) was not shocking and not impressive. It didn't do anything to me. I know that she had a troubled life, and it was sad, but I don't have any compassion? The prank was also not that enjoyable when thinking about it again. I expected more. Anyway, when I was reading the last page, I thought: 'Is this it?' It ended so weirdly, with a few 'inspiring' words from Miles and then boom. Done. I felt empty? Like something was missing? Uh, I don't know. This book is a must-read, but I expected so much more.
I am not in a good mood at the moment, maybe that's the reason but I can't think of a reason why this book is outstandingly good. Because I don't think it is. 3,5/5 stars.
Meh. I like the cover with the flower, but not the one with the water. It seems off, even though there are a lot of references.
Miles/Pudge
Oh-kay. Hard one. To be honest, I should feel sorry for him and all. But I don't. He was in love with one of his friends and lead his girlfriend on? That is not okay? He even kissed Alaska.... while he was still with his girlfriend. Like, I know that it could have never worked, but that should not have happened. Also, his habit to memorise 'famous last words'? Ridiculous. Like, come on, who would actually do that. It's just a John Green attempt to make him this deep and interesting character. It only made him weirder in my opinion. While he is an interesting character, I didn't feel anything for him.
Alaska Young
Again, mixed opinions. I don't really like her. She should have gotten a bit more time so I could get to know her better as well. For me, she was kind of a troubled, depressed... player. She played Miles. Yes, she did tell him she had a boyfriend and all, but she asked him to 'hook up' with her. Really? You're both in a relationship? Also, the things she said. "I smoke to die", just.... really. I actually laughed when she said that. It was such bullcrap. I don't like her. I am supposed to like her, but she's not likeable.
Other side-characters
Okay, so we have Takumi and Colin. Colin was not interesting, and Takumi wasn't either. Sorry, oops, moving on.
The ending
In my opinion, the reason she died (this isn't a spoiler, or is it?) was not shocking and not impressive. It didn't do anything to me. I know that she had a troubled life, and it was sad, but I don't have any compassion? The prank was also not that enjoyable when thinking about it again. I expected more. Anyway, when I was reading the last page, I thought: 'Is this it?' It ended so weirdly, with a few 'inspiring' words from Miles and then boom. Done. I felt empty? Like something was missing? Uh, I don't know. This book is a must-read, but I expected so much more.
I am not in a good mood at the moment, maybe that's the reason but I can't think of a reason why this book is outstandingly good. Because I don't think it is. 3,5/5 stars.
Dominique
