I agree with your assessment: definitely worth the cash.
Okay, a list:
On pranks: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (E. Lockhart) has pranks as one of the central plot devices as well. There, it really is the structuring element of the book, unlike in Looking for Alaska. So, you might find it interesting as a point of comparison.
Also on pranks: I think that the pranks and the flirtation are Alaska's way of flirting (pardon the repetition!) with risk in a way she can control. This contrasts with the total lack of control she feels about her mother's death. Symbolically, by carrying out Alaska's last prank, the Colonel and Pudge are dealing with their own feelings of helplessness after Alaska's death. In that way, maybe the pranks are meaningful.
Banning books is awful, always!
Maybe it's inevitable that any YA book featuring a strong teen male voice will be compared to Catcher in the Rye.
On your cover commentary: I far prefer the black cover, and think it's much more representative of the novel than the other one. As an adult reading YA, also, I would have been less inclined to read the book if I'd simply judged it by that second cover. (And I think you're right that cover #2 is definitely more girl-oriented.)
Just some of my thoughts! Thanks for sharing your review!
I agree with your assessment: definitely worth the cash.
Okay, a list:
- On pranks: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (E. Lockhart) has pranks as one of the central plot devices as well. There, it really is the structuring element of the book, unlike in Looking for Alaska. So, you might find it interesting as a point of comparison.
- Also on pranks: I think that the pranks and the flirtation are Alaska's way of flirting (pardon the repetition!) with risk in a way she can control. This contrasts with the total lack of control she feels about her mother's death. Symbolically, by carrying out Alaska's last prank, the Colonel and Pudge are dealing with their own feelings of helplessness after Alaska's death. In that way, maybe the pranks are meaningful.
- Banning books is awful, always!
- Maybe it's inevitable that any YA book featuring a strong teen male voice will be compared to Catcher in the Rye.
- On your cover commentary: I far prefer the black cover, and think it's much more representative of the novel than the other one. As an adult reading YA, also, I would have been less inclined to read the book if I'd simply judged it by that second cover. (And I think you're right that cover #2 is definitely more girl-oriented.)
Just some of my thoughts! Thanks for sharing your review!Reply
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