An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

I've read The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns by John Green previously and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. So I was expecting quite a lot from An Abundance of Katherines.

I was, therefore, disappointed when it didn't 'grab' me straight off.

I found Colin annoying more than endearing and the dialogue with his friend, Hassan seemed forced rather than funny. And I can't begin to tell you how much I hated their use of the word 'fug'.


I almost gave up.

But then on pg 119 Lindsay asks the boys, "Hey, why the fuck do you and Hassan say fug all the time?"

And it turns out that they had a very good reason - I just wish the revelation hadn't come past the halfway mark!

This is not as good as Green's other books, but it still has lots of great things to say about relationships, life viewed through teen eyes and growing up.

Perhaps it's having a child prodigy as your lead?

Not many readers can identify with that. And it certainly takes a long time to warm to Colin.

Whereas, Green's other books have likeable protagonists that could be anyone, anywhere.

An Abundance of Katherines contains swearing, sexual references and one sex scene. It also contains maths equations, footnotes & an appendix!

It also counts as a book for my TBR Pile Challenge, Eclectic Reader Challenge, Literary Explorations Reading Challenge & What's In A Name Challenge.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I'm not sure what else I can add to all the rave reviews already multiplying in bloggerland about The Fault in Our Stars.

Except to say, that in my humble opinion, they're all spot on - rave away!

I read Paper Towns about 3 years ago (I was interested to note how my blogging style had changed in that time). Back then I was impressed by Green's ability to capture teenage dialogue so perfectly - the sass, the attitude, the humour.
The Fault in Our Stars is no different.

Hazel and Augustus may be living with cancer but Green shows how humour can add to quality of life and promote resilience. He also shows us ways of being strong and determined and that it's okay to ask for help. He shows us ways to live our lives, the importance of connecting & relating to those around you. He shows us the good bits and the bad bits. And he shows us ways to grieve.

This book is about older teens, therefore the content is more suitable for older teens. There are numerous sexual comments and a couple of low-key sex scenes. However, this is a book about relationships, life and death and therefore suitable for anyone old enough to grapple with such ideas!

As an aside, I love how The Great Gatsby has completely insinuated itself in to my life at the moment. There was a Gatsby reference in 1Q84 (below) and now we have another one in this book!

In reference to a character in a book Hazel & Gus read together, "He isn't a con man or not a con man; he's God. He's an obvious and unambiguous metaphorical representation of God, and asking what becomes of him is the intellectual equivalent of asking what becomes of the disembodied eyes of Dr T.J. Ecklesburg in Gatsby."

After Paper Towns I wanted to read more Green. I don't know why I waited 3 years to do so - perhaps I was concerned he wouldn't live up to my high expectations?

But he did...and I will definitely read his other books - soon!!

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns is a funny, smart teen novel that culminates in a road trip to find the girl, romance and friendship.
 

This is reality fiction - no vampires, werewolves, parallel universes or avatars!
 

Green makes use of fabulous dialogue, complex characters and people you care about.

 

Highly recommended for the older teen reader looking for something more challenging & satisfying than 'Twilight'.
 

I can't wait to read Green's other novels.

http://www.sparksflyup.com/papertowns.php