Tolog Review: Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska
by John Green

reviewed by Camille Trevor, class of 2015

Looking for Alaska, by John Green, is widely considered an unmistakably bestseller and one of his best works. The story is based on teenager Miles Halter and his experiences in transferring to Culver Creek, a boarding school. He transfers from public to boarding school in order to escape his home life of having no friends and receiving little attention. The first part of the book, “Before,” is solely based on his involvement with several characters in Culver Creek, including Alaska. His life as a Culver Creek student is dramatically impacted by Alaska because he falls in love with her secretly. The first section is separated by the number of days “before” what happens, which creates a great mystery for the reader to unravel. In addition, the second part of the book, “After,” picks up the pace of the story and consists of more consequential affairs. Because the novel is divided in terms of time and a specific event, it is highly unpredictable and suspenseful.

Although this book is seen as an extraordinary success, I find it to be adequate. The story is good, but the overall emotional depth seems insufficient. My main concern is that the story seems choppy in terms of plot and character development. The last part of the book encompasses thought-provoking ideas of life, including suffering, death, afterlife, and purpose on earth. Moreover, the first half does not contain half of the concepts displayed in the second half, which makes it seem dry in comparison. Regardless of these issues, the story does portray an excellent ongoing subject of friendship throughout the entirety of it. The significant occurrence between “Before” and “After” brings the characters together in times of hardship and pain. Furthermore, this story demonstrates the enigma of unanswerable questions, including an escape from the “labyrinth of suffering.” I enjoyed reading these reflective topics because there is no right or wrong answer. Finishing this book leaves you questioning for more because it is all interpretation. You decide what to believe. You decide the characters’ fate. The control shifts from the author to the reader, which leaves countless possibilities.If you like anything by John Green, you'll love this book! If you liked Paper Towns, you'll love this!