Looking for Alaska

Citation:

Green, John. Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Speak, 2008. Print.

Summary:

Miles Halter has decided to leave behind his uneventful life in Florida and attend the Culver Creek Boarding School in Birmingham, Alabama, in an attempt to seek “a Great Perhaps”. Miles quickly befriends a group of misfits, the most intriguing of all being Alaska Young. Not only is Alaska incredibly hot, she is also someone who is extremely complicated. Her unexpected mood swings, sexual exploits, and self-destructive behavior, leave Miles constantly searching to find out who she is and why she continually searches for answers as a means of escaping reality.

Critical Analysis:

John Green has created a particularly honest, first person dialogue in the novel Looking for Alaska. Miles (nicknamed “Pudge” early in the novel), is an authentic character and his witty and sometimes awkward commentary is easily readable as a typical sixteen year old boy with a desire to fit in. While his hobby collecting famous last words might seem a little odd and slightly morbid to most, the idea that the main character has quirks only creates more of a relatable character. The mystery of Alaska and the events surrounding her death are what most readers will find themselves desperate to solve; unfortunately there will not be a concrete solution. In a way, this aspect is one the most authentic within the novel. After all, how many men will ever fully understand a woman’s reasoning?

The novel does contain explicit language and sexual content. While this does contribute to the authenticity of the story, it no doubt might eliminate some younger readers. This can be seen as a weakness because the potential audience has become more focused and parental discretion is something that should be considered.