Review: Looking for Alaska

Miles falls in love with Alaska, a beautiful blonde bombshell, who happens to be a heavy drinker and smoker, influencing Miles to follow along. But why does Alaska hide behind drugs; why does she want to destroy herself so badly when all Miles wants to do is love her?

Looking for Alaska is John Green's big debut. Although I am a huge fan of The Fault in our Stars, this book was a bit of a downer. The characters were all brushed upon, but none dissected. Take The Colonel for example: rough on the exterior, grew up in a trailer park and yet he is the smartest kid in school and so heartbroken when his first girlfriend leaves him that he renounces dating. How can such a tough guy be so sensitive? We will never know.

Perhaps that is what John Green was trying to say, that none of us will ever really know one another. I know I surprise myself sometimes.

Happy Valentine's Day