"My Take on Looking for Alaska" by Sara H.

In all honesty, Looking for Alaska by John Green (published by Speak) is not a book I would have expected to like. When I hear the name John Green, I think of Crash Course videos on YouTube (which I love) and cheesy love stories. These are the stories I tend to avoid, whether it be in Hallmark movies or romance novels. I assumed that this novel would embody the traits of the aforementioned genre, so I let it sit on my book shelf and collect dust for a while. However, an inclination within told me that, out of all of my hundreds of books, this is one I needed to read, so I did. To explain the full reach this novel had on me, I must give context.

            The narrative is told from the first-person view point of the main protagonist, Miles Halter, also known as Pudge. He is just beginning his junior year of high school at a boarding school and he must deal with the awkwardness that being the new kid comes with. Much to his surprise, he is instantly welcomed by his roommate, Chip Martin (the Colonel), and the ambiguous Alaska Young. Both of these characters are integral parts in the experiences Pudge has while at school. The Colonel and Alaska push him to come out his shell, and find the “Great Perhaps” he seeks. Essentially, he hopes to search for possibilities and opportunities that might be out there. He partakes in risky behavior, while encouraged by his new friends, and realizes that the ‘Miles Halter’ he has always know may not be who he wants to be. 

The main setting for the novel is Culver Creek Boarding School. It is a preparatory school in Alabama where the main protagonist and speaker is headed to for his junior year of high school. This location is especially significant in the ‘coming of age’ theme of the story. Boarding schools exacerbate the poor decision-making skills of teenagers and allow for self growth and reflection- as we have seen in works such as A Separate Peace by John Knowles and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The freedom Pudge finds at his new school is conducive for the bad habits he takes up: smoking and drinking. His environment fosters experiences unlike those he’d ever faced before, like getting thrown out of class or into a lake. Pranks are abundant between Pudge and his group of friends and what they call the “weekday warriors.” The extent to which these pranks occur comes from absence of corporal punishment that the students receive, as compared to living at home.

As expected in any novel with teens as the main characters, there is plenty of drama created by the hormones of adolescents. The Colonel and Sara, Jake and Alaska, Lara and Pudge, and Alaska and Pudge are just some of the discussed ‘involvements’ throughout the book. As the speaker is Pudge, a large portion of the focus is on his world and what affects him personally. This being said, the focus tends to be on Alaska quite often. The stereotypical relationship of “a hot, yet incredibly smart, girl oblivious to her scrawny, inexperienced best friend” is showcased in Pudge’s relationship with Alaska. He struggles with his poorly hidden attraction as the story goes on. However, Alaska does seem to care for Pudge and value his friendship- and perhaps more.

The book is split into two portions: before and after. These reference the climax of the novel. When something unthinkable happens, Pudge must come to terms with his role in the catastrophic event. Not only must he figure out why and how this event transpired, but deal with the physical and emotional pain, guilt, anger, and confusion it brings into his life. Pudge’s friendships and his strength are tested post-affliction and forever change his outlook on his life.

Not only is Green’s use of first person within this novel is undeniably significant to the development of the story, but also an important aspect in the story’s affect on a reader. As an avid reader, I have had many books that I absolutely adored: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling; the list could go on for ages. However, Looking for Alaska was a novel that was incomparable in relevance. The main character must question what he previously knew after moving to Culver Creek, and suddenly, his plethora of last words that he has memorized seems insignificant. The characters are portrayed as teenagers who feel confused, scared, excited, and all the emotions that readers do. He poses the question, “what happens in the afterlife,” through Pudge’s religion class. While this is a great example of foreshadowing, it also shows a wonderment that is something that haunts every person.

The climax of this novel, or what came after, is what makes it so extraordinary. Personally, Green was able to depict poignant feelings of the characters that I had felt but was unable to describe. Green hadn’t written an archetypal love story; he had written dark truths to concepts unfathomable to those who have not experienced it. His final two pages were something that I read multiple times to fully capture their message: things and people cannot just disappear; Last words are not the end of it all.