Tolog Review: Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska
by John Green 
reviewed by Claire Villegas

Miles Halter, a boy fascinated by last words and autobiographies, is off to “seek a Great Perhaps” by leaving his hometown in Florida to attend boarding school at Culver Creek Preparatory in Alabama. After meeting his new roommate, Chip Martin, also known as “The Colonel,” he gives Miles the nickname “Pudge” and introduces him to his friends, Alaska Young and Takumi. Miles is immediately intrigued by Alaska Young, a beautiful, clever, and emotionally damaged girl. After hearing about Mile’s interest in last words, Alaska tells him her favorite, “How will I ever get out of this Labyrinth!”

As the novel continues, we are taken through the school year of the four friends, which can be described in three words: pranking, rule breaking, and smoking. The characters shared interest in mischief brings them closer together and sometimes even lands them in trouble. But after a turn of events in the novel, Miles is left to finish his school year and find his way out of the labyrinth of suffering.

Looking for Alaska has become number one on my list of favorite books. John Green brilliantly brings mystery, romance, and humor all into one fantastic book. The way in which he brought all of those elements together really made me love this book. Also, the suspense and excitement made it all the more enjoying to read. Moreover, you can’t help but adore his witty characters and really be engaged in this story. This thought-provoking novel was a page-turner that not only left me crying, but it also had me laughing out loud.