Monday, July 12, 2010

Paper Towns

Paper Towns
by John Green
2008
305 pages

Summary: Quentin Jacobsen is a quiet guy who enjoys having rules and plans for the future. The girl he has been in love with for ever, his next door neighbour Margo, likes anything but the rules. Margo is the kind of girl who disappears on wild and crazy adventures, not the kind of girl who would take notice of Quentin. Except one night she climbs through his window demanding he be her getaway car on a night of mischief and adventure and it’s a night that changes everything.

Review: John Green doesn’t disappoint. Paper Towns is a wonderful story about a regular guy finding his self and the crazy girl that shows him the way. I know that’s kind of a typical storyline for Green, but I love it none the less. Paper Towns highlights Green’s ability to write beautifully reflective storylines which are rich with layers and deadpan humour. The story is fast paced and readers will undoubtedly be drawn into the enigma that is Margo and the clues she leaves for Q. I loved how Green weaved the idea of paper towns and the theme of home into the story, and I loved that Margo and Q are such unfinished characters; it makes them raw and relatable. The thing that I think Green does better than anyone else, which makes his books exceptional, is his ability to write such beautiful and vibrant supporting characters. They add so much to the story and the reader ends up loving them as much as the main characters. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful book; it was funny but at the same time tugged on my heart strings. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to a wide audience.

You might enjoy Paper Towns if you like books with: a male voice, poignant observations on life, strong characters, a slower paced plot, realistic storylines rather than fantasy or science fiction, awkward and candid humour

Also by John Green: Looking for Alaska, Will Grayson; Will Grayson, An Abundance of Katherines

If you liked Paper Towns you might also enjoy: The Perks of Bing a Walflower by Stephen Chbosky, Nick and Norah’s Infinate Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga, Honey, Baby Sweetheart by Deb Caletti

Author Website: http://www.sparksflyup.com/

Rating: W4/4 C4/4 P4/4 O3/4 PP3/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS

2 comments:

Ashley @ Book Labyrinth said...

This is actually the only John Green I've ever read, but I loved it!

Katie said...

All his books are very similar, but I love them. Try looking for Alaska, I think you might like it. :) thanks for visiting my blog Ashley!

 
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