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Paper Towns

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Paper Towns by John Green is a young adult novel that follows the story of Quentin Jacobsen, who has been in love with his neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman since they were children. The plot unfolds as Margo enlists Quentin for a night of adventurous revenge escapades, only to disappear the next day, leaving behind clues that lead Quentin and his friends on a journey to find her. The book explores themes of love, friendship, self-discovery, and the complexities of teenage relationships. The writing style is engaging, with witty dialogue and well-developed characters that keep the reader invested in the story until the very end.

Characters:

The characters are relatable and multi-dimensional, showcasing realistic teenage struggles and relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by witty humor, engaging dialogue, and thought-provoking themes that challenge perceptions of identity and reality.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Quentin's quest to find Margo after she disappears, with each clue revealing deeper truths about their lives and perceptions of each other.

Setting:

The setting primarily takes place in Orlando, Florida, capturing the essence of suburban life and teenage exploration.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, starting slow, building suspense, and culminating in a fast-paced conclusion.
The longest day of my life began tardily. I woke up late, took too long in the shower, and ended up having to enjoy my breakfast in the passenger seat of my mom’s minivan at 7:17 that Wednesday mornin...

Notes:

Quentin Jacobsen has a crush on his neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman.
Margo disappears the day after a night of pranks with Quentin.
The story explores the theme of how we perceive and idealize others.
Margo leaves behind clues for Quentin to follow to find her.
The title 'Paper Towns' refers to fake towns on maps and symbolizes the superficial nature of society.
John Green incorporates poetry, particularly Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass', into the story.
The novel contains humor and witty dialogue among the teenage characters.
The book addresses themes of identity, friendship, and the complexity of human relationships.
Quentin's journey leads to a greater understanding of himself and others.
The story is set in Orlando, Florida, where Quentin and Margo grew up.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include strong language, underage drinking, and themes of suicide.

Has Romance?

The romance is significant as it centers around Quentin's infatuation with Margo, but it also critiques the idealization of love.

From The Publisher:

From the #1 bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our Stars

Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery

#1 New York Times Bestseller

USA Today Bestseller

Publishers Weekly Bestseller

Now a major motion picture

Ratings (126)

Incredible (13)
Loved It (26)
Liked It (43)
It Was OK (25)
Did Not Like (15)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (186):

Read It (139)
Want To Read (33)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (11)

3 comment(s)

Did Not Like
3 weeks

Totally unsatisfying

 
Loved It
2 months

I just wrote a whole review and then erased it by accident. Yay! Suffice to say I thought John Green had a problem with Manic Pixie Dream Girls (as in, writing them all the time), but he doesn't. The concept of Paper Towns is fascinating. Ben has to pee. And I loved it.

 
Liked It
7 months

The plot is intriguing and unique, the characters are nuanced and well developed, and the writing style is downright hilarious. But the ending was a little bit underwhelming. Overall, I liked it

 

About the Author:

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of books including Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, and Turtles All the Way Down. His books have received many accolades, including a Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and an Edgar Award. John has twice…

 
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