Looking for Alaska
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Too depressing or not really??
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I didn't think it was all that depressing. As for comical events there were a few. I like that the book does leave you with a few questions, you're never really quite sure what Exactly happened to Alaska that night.
I didn't think it was that depressing. I mean, yeah, there are some pretty serious parts, but John Green has an awesome sense of humor, so there are some funny parts, too. Really, it's a great book!!!!!! You should definitely try it!!! ;)
Its not to extreme, its real. Thats why you should read it.
The end was a bit depressing I suppose, but the book as a whole wasn't really
It's not that depressing.
Not depressing BUT i have to say that I and several of my friends do NOT like this book. Alaska is one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever read. She's as whiney as Bella in Twilight, very self-pitying, selfish, and never thinks of anyone but herself. It ruined the book for me. Everyone loved this girl, but she was basically a horrible person who ruined the lives of others with no regard for their feelings. If I were you, I'd skip this book and read Green's much funnier An Abundance of Katherines, which was hilarious and featured much more likeable characters. And Alaska is kind of like a female Holden Caufield who needed attention all the time and did stupid stuff just to get attention.
I loved this book, as for Alaska's unlikeable qualities I either think Alaska was a trauma victim from her past or a person with a mental disorder, or possibly both. I have bipolar disorder and could see some of her flightier and mood shifty things as such.
Lena wrote: "Not depressing BUT i have to say that I and several of my friends do NOT like this book. Alaska is one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever read. She's as whiney as Bella in Twilight, very s..."Yeah, i agree with Alaska being female version Holden Caufield!
Only more annoying! LOL...she ruined the book for me. I can't stand YA books about girls who burst into tears, have tantrums, or try to act all 'mysterious' and/or bitchy and think it makes them hot...esp when the stupid guys in the book fall for it! I did, however, like his other books.
Any of the depressing parts are balanced with hilarious ones.
I loved this book, it was depressing at parts, but these were balanced by hilarious moments. I read this book, in a day , just could not put it down. I personally say read it!
I agree with the people who don't think Alaska was a totally likeable character, but I have to say that I don't think she was necessarily meant to be the sweetheart of the book. A book with only friendly good characters that have no complexity or ambiguity is a pretty boring read, in my opinion, so I'm glad for a character like Alaska that toes the line between unorthodox and out of control.As well, without trying to give too much away regarding the plot of the book, a fair portion of it is a nice humorous (serious, too, don't worry) read; things do get quote-unquote "depressing" near the end, and I won't lie, the first time I read it, I had to stop to bawl for a second, but it's an excellent book filled with high emotion of all sorts.
@Mark--I dont like 'boring' characters as you put it. But I dont really have sympathy for ones who are as irritating as I found Alaska. It made it hard for me to sympathize w/ the protagonist. I just wanted to slap him and say, 'why do you like that idiotic girl'? It ruined the book for me--I dont even remember any funny parts. Just being so irritated w/ Alaska's character.
That's a shame Lena, because there were some downright whimsically funny scenes in Looking for Alaska that I think only John Green could have written. I concede that there's no accounting for taste though, and if you can't get into the characters in any novel, the rest of the book suffers. Maybe it's my sympathies with Pudge and his adolescent idolization of Alaska that lets me invest in the characters like I did, but I definitely think a person ought to feel frustrated with Pudge for being so naive at times, haha
Looking for Alaska I must say is one of my favorite books. How deep John Green is and the whole final words part about Miles is very interesting. The characters he creates in my mind are in no way boring or dull. Alaska is a very deep and emotional person and the short journey she has with Miles is very emotional, or at least to me it is.
@Mark--I know everyone loves this book. There are certain YA books where I just despise the way the girl is portrayed so much it ruins the rest of the story for me, and this was one of them. That said, I do think John Green is an amazing writer, I just didnt like this book. Dont want to beat a dead horse here, everyone knows my opinion now, see above posts where I profess my love for Katherines, lol. I did not, however, think Alaska was in any way deep. Melodramatic, yes. The other characters were great, although she is the main focus of the book. I like how green's protagonists always have a quirky/nerdy aspect (the last lines, in Katherines, the anagrams. very clever.)
This book has its sad moments, but it's so worth it.
It's not depressing for me. I think this book is thought-provoking.
Not depressing, just teenage stuff.
You should read it. It's sort of depressing, but it's also funny and fun.
If the whole book was about playing pranks and having fun and getting the girl, would it be as good? No! It's my favorite book, and I love how you don't know how it happened. And we never will. It needs the parts that are sad. And I loved the last page of the book. Just because it's depressing in som parts doesn't mean that it's a bad book.
In my opinon it's not depressing. Sad yes, but not depressing.
its not so much depressing as sad.
Not really depressing, just kinda sad. It's funny too.
And you get over the sadness pretty quick.
it's not depressing at all but more sad in a thoughtful and intellectual way.
Not depressing. This is a book that will keep you thinking about it. Thinking about life scenarios that really happen. DON'T THINK TWICE AND BUY THE BOOK. After all, it's JOHN GREEN :)
not that much because it's real
Nope not that much..
I didn't find it depressing at all really! Sure, there are a few sad points but I think in some instances you need that to draw people in emotionally and I think as long as the sad bits add to the story, they're relevant and add a lot to the overall message of the story. The comical aspects also help the sad parts not take over too much. They soften the edges and keep you captivated, even when things aren't going too well for the characters :)
It was bitter-sweet. John Green is just always witty and sarcastic and so his narration always is. It's my favorite novel.
I didn't find depressing at all, maybe because i hated Alaska too much.
It's not really depressing. It just has a sad tone to it. Definitely a must read.
It was depressing at first, but then I kind of got used to it and viewed it as a death mystery book. I was reading it in class when Alaska dies and started crying. Everyone thought I was so weird.
It was fairly depressing mostly deep I enjoyed reading it though. In the end they found out how she could have died which kinda gave them a peaceful mindset.
Lena wrote: "@Mark--I dont like 'boring' characters as you put it. But I dont really have sympathy for ones who are as irritating as I found Alaska. It made it hard for me to sympathize w/ the protagonist. I ju..."I think that was the entire point of the story, the protagonist romanticised Alaska and didn't realise how horribly messed up she was. She was also extremely depressed which can make a person forget to think before they act (not justifying the way she sometimes treats her friends)
There were some seriously depressing moments and events, but it was all interspersed with really hilarious things, like bufreidos and fox hats. ;)
The first part is alright. The last third of the book is pretty depressing, annoying and confusing. It's not the same depressing as Catcher in the Rye though. It's completely different.
I thought it was funny, there are only a few sad parts but i wouldn't say it was depressing. You should totally read it one of my favourite books.xxx-J
I hated the book. I did not get the point of it. I mean if I am to choose between Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska, I'd say Paper Towns without even thinking.
I would not describe this book as depressing.The book actually has it's nice comical parts but yes, there is also pretty large part of some heavy stuff too.
over all, to me it was a good book. Some of the characteres could be annoying and aggravating a bit but as i said not really a depressing book. It's actually ended with a possitive note somehow, I feel.
I wouldn't say it was depressing...don't get me wrong it mad me feel all types of sad...but it's John Green...and the guy can't write a book with out it being, not only briliant, but halarious! You should DEFINETLY read Looking For Alaska and any other John Green book
That's like saying was TFIOS depressing? It was. Is this depressing? Heck yeah! I'm emotionally connected to all of my characters in a book. (view spoiler) , I was really sad and had to take a 15 minute break. Nonetheless, it's John Green, and he continues to impress with his books and the first part of the book was my favorite. Not to mention The Great Perhaps. If you're asking if you should read this. Oh yeah. Without a doubt. This is one of my favorites. I would go down on my knees and beg you if I have to, to make you read this book. And all other John Green books
Nate wrote: "I didn't think it was all that depressing. As for comical events there were a few. I like that the book does leave you with a few questions, you're never really quite sure what Exactly happened to ..."I disagree. I think its pretty clear what happened to her.
i don't thing its depressing becuase thats how we as teenagers should think. its quite philosophical and educated .
I didnt like this book at all, it would have been good if it was depressing, right? if at least this story awoken one feeling at all. I feel like nothing really happen, and the author just had the begining and ending in mind, and filled up the body if the story with unnecessary garbage...
I love this book because it was just a little depressing
Karla wrote: "I didnt like this book at all, it would have been good if it was depressing, right? if at least this story awoken one feeling at all. I feel like nothing really happen, and the author just had the..."
Haha, I'm right with you.
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Question: Was this book depressing pretty much the whole way through or was there funny stuff, some suspense, etc. I'm trying to understand the pace and tenor of the book before possibly getting it.
It gets such great reviews from everyone but then everyone says how depressing it is. I can deal with some depressing stuff happening in the book, but I don't like it when pretty much the whole book is depressing stuff.
Example: I did NOT like Catcher in the Rye