One thing I can say about this novel is that you really won’t expect what you are reading. Yes, it’s not the first novel of its kind that I’ve read before but it certainly isn’t any less shocking.

This story is narrated by a five-year old who lives in a sheet with his Ma, he was born there and the place is all the world he knows.Jack as a child narrator describes the ‘creaks’ of the bed every night when Old Nick visits his Ma at night, Old Nick being the man who kidnapped Ma. Throughout the novel we see how Ma, makes a world for Jack out of the eleven-foot square shed and realises that soon Jack won’t accept her stories. Finally Ma, tells Jack about the outside and he is unable to fathom a world larger than the shed he’s known his entire life.

This story is quite dark, its targeted at teenagers and I don’t think I would have ever read this novel if it hadn’t been recommended to me by a friend. It’s not scary, there are no ghosts in this novel but the topics presented will give you goosebumps. Although I do like the perspective of a young child narrator, sometimes throughout the novel the narrative voice and the knowledge of a five-year old don’t really meld well together – that would be my major issue with the novel. If you look past this though, Donoghue creates a wonderful narrator whose narrative point of view is refreshing and interesting.

I don’t want to give the entire plot away because part of what makes this book really amazing is the not knowing and having to constantly hold you breath, being confused and trying to understand to piece things together. So If you want something different to read this novel is definitely for those wishing to branch out!

Rating: 3/5

I’ve wanted to read this novel for a very long time! It’s all over those pretty post pictures on Tumblr and there are comments underneath about how life changing this novel is. Well I finally conformed, gave in and bought ‘Looking for Alaska’ by John Green. Partly because now that I’m on Summer break its my intention to read every novel I own and partly because I want to read every novel John Green has blessed this world with.

In its own right it is a good novel but somehow I do feel that it might split opinions. Like Marmite you either like it or you don’t. The narrative voice created in this novel reminds me of Haulden Caufield (Catcher in the Rye), it’s a very honest, raw, interpretation of messy minded teenagers (every teenager then).

Miles Halter the boy searching for his ‘Great Perhaps’ and along the way he finds Alaska Young, the mysterious, condescending girl who preaches about values of feminism but has this deep preserved self hate inside of her. Alaska Young is well, Alaska Young. She’s tormented by her own values and throughout the novel we see that she puts people in their places but whilst doing that we see that she’s reminding and putting herself in place too. She’s a self tortured being who has strong values but hates herself and so she dismisses those good strong values.

The novel is just so REAL and the characters are perfectly selected and put together. They may not be the coolest kids on campus but they create an acceptance for each other. Every movement that takes place, as a reader you feel very involved and interactive with the novel. 

Towards the end of the novel the repeated phrase: ‘How do you get out of the labyrinth of suffering?‘ and that is why I actually do really like this novel. It’s not just one of those stupid young adult fiction novels that presents an unrealistic interpretation of dealing with pain, growing up, teenage life, changes, death, drugs and finding yourself as a teenager, as a person even it appreciates living in the moment and all the hiccups life throws at you.

Why I liked this novel:

Amongst the many other reasons, another reason why I did like this novel was because in the second section of it (spoiler alert, PLEASE don’t read on if you are currently reading or intend on reading the novel) when Alaska dies it just feels real. It feels like a real person died and the way her death is portrayed through the characters and her influence on the plot is all representative of that. The sadness isn’t ignored or Disney-fied, the pain and complete shock of Alaska’s death is captured perfectly. Even though Pudge (Miles Halter) is the narrator, losing Alaska is painful (I know she’s a fictional character but trust me on this one yeah?).

I like how her death is presented in a realistic manner because it shows the complicated humans and their complicated emotions that get left behind and this is the type of novel everyone should read because (no offence) to the vampires and I love the wizards but the death of Alaska is a catalyst for a lot of things one of those being, breaking readers hearts (you have been warned).

Other comments:

It might get a little tiring to read but stick with it, you won’t regret it in the end and try to look beyond the lines on the paper. Throughout the first section of the novel there is a count down to Alaska’s death and then the second section is counting the days since her death. Weirdly enough this caused me much anxiety and I ended up finishing the novel the same day I started it because I had to know what was being counted down (OCD much?!).

I shall leave you with one of my favourite quotes from the book: ‘If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.’

Rating:

3.5/5

I have stalled so very much whilst getting around to writing this review, I honestly don’t know why. It’s either because I don’t know exactly how I feel about it or the world is exercising every possibly distraction towards me, as to stop this review. Fear not! As is said: the show must go on. And well this review must be composed and published… so here my dear reader it is.

This was an interesting book to read, it’s about two people over a span of twenty years. They meet just as they are about to leave University and I guess being only a year from that moment myself this book and all that it explores seems vaguely familiar even if it hasn’t happened, yet. The two main characters are Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew complete opposites but they just click. If you want me to sum up the entire plot shortly: it’s a love story between two people who don’t really realise they are in love with each other for a very long time.

Both Emma and Dexter are proud individuals and whilst both adamant with the up-keep of their friendship they still pursue very different lifestyles. Dexter is the guy who is loved by the girls, loves to drink and be free, whilst Emma wants to create a life for herself and conquer her independence. After a failed career and a short-lived married, the two finally end up together, but the story doesn’t finish there. The way the novel is set out reminds me of The Time Traveller’s Wife – it sort of jumps back and forth.

But you know when you have that AH-A! moment and everything makes sense, well it comes together very smoothly in the book, but even after that there is a major bump in the road. I don’t want to reveal the ending, yes it’s a love story, it might me considered cliché, but overall it’s not a conformed ending. Reading this novel won’t leave you thinking ‘oh what a waste of time,’ in fact you might be in shock for a great while after you do finish the novel.

Why I didn’t like about this book:

Despite the interesting plot twist, I will admit that at the beginning of the novel I really wasn’t sure I was going to make it through to the end. It’s. Such. A. Drag. I literally was counting pages because the beginning was such a drag but its understandable as it builds up on the future plot.

Other comments:

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the entire novel, some parts I adored others I don’t think there was much development. The rate the two characters who are pretty much complete opposites become friend and maintain that is unconvincing. Emma pines for Dexter for just under twenty years (gurl go find yourself another man who gives you the time of day and isn’t drunk 25/8). 

Except, I liked the ending. YES it can be interpreted as depressing but I believe the entire novel holds an element of realism which does get drowned out in some parts but overall I liked it.

Rating:  3/5