133 pages • 4 hours read
Looking for Alaska
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Book Brief
221
Novel • Fiction
Culver Creek, Alabama • 2000s
2005
YA
14-18 years
850L
Super Short Summary
In Looking for Alaska by John Green, sixteen-year-old Miles Halter leaves his unremarkable life in Florida to attend Culver Creek Prep, motivated by a pursuit of the "Great Perhaps." There, he befriends his roommate, the Colonel, and becomes infatuated with Alaska, a captivating yet troubled girl. Alaska's mysterious death deeply affects Miles, prompting him to grapple with themes of suffering, guilt, and forgiveness. Miles realizes that while life is filled with hardship, forgiveness is the key to navigating suffering. Sensitive topics such as death, guilt, and emotional volatility are central to the story.
Melancholic
Inspirational
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
1,678,888 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Readers appreciate John Green's Looking for Alaska for its raw and poignant exploration of adolescence, grief, and self-discovery. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and its prose is engaging and thoughtful. Criticisms include a predictable plot and occasional melodrama, but overall, it resonates emotionally, particularly with a young adult audience.
Who Should Read Looking for Alaska?
A reader who would enjoy Looking for Alaska by John Green is typically a young adult interested in coming-of-age stories marked by deep emotional experiences and introspective journeys. Fans of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower would find it compelling.
1,678,888 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Chip Martin
Chip Martin
Also known as "the Colonel," he is Miles's confident and audacious roommate who plans pranks and is fiercely loyal to his friends.
Alaska Young
Alaska Young
A beautiful and enigmatic friend of the Colonel's who becomes a significant figure in Miles's life due to her charismatic yet volatile personality.
Takumi Hikohito
Takumi Hikohito
A skilled rapper and enthusiastic member of the friend group, known for his loyalty and a hidden depth that gradually becomes apparent.
Lara Buterskaya
Lara Buterskaya
A Romanian student who becomes romantically involved with Miles, known for her reliability and strong friendships, although often overshadowed by Miles's infatuation with Alaska.
Mr. Starnes
Mr. Starnes
The strict but caring school Dean, known as "the Eagle," who is responsible for maintaining order at Culver Creek.
Dr. Hyde
Dr. Hyde
The wise and ailing World Religions teacher whose class prompts Miles to ponder existential questions and the nature of interconnectedness.
221
Novel • Fiction
Culver Creek, Alabama • 2000s
2005
YA
14-18 years
850L
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