Who Would Like This Book:
If you love intelligent, witty writing with a quirky cast of characters, Paper Towns delivers a mix of humor, mystery, and heartfelt moments. The story follows Quentin, a rule-following teen, as he embarks on a clue-filled adventure to find his mysterious neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman. Fans of coming-of-age stories, road trips, and the feeling that real friendships are messy but meaningful will eat this up. It's perfect for YA readers, especially those who are drawn to thoughtful explorations of identity, perception, and what it means to truly know someone. If John Green's other books or smart, character-driven mysteries are your thing, this one's for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found Paper Towns a bit too 'clever for its own good,' with characters - especially Margo - feeling more like quirky stereotypes than real people. If you're not a fan of introspective teens, angsty road trips, or first-person narratives that wax philosophical, this might not hit the right notes for you. The pacing drags for some in the middle, and a few felt the resolution (and Margo's motivations) underwhelming. Also, if you're expecting the emotional intensity of 'The Fault in Our Stars,' this one is more subdued and focused on reflection over romance.
About:
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.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
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 (214)
Incredible (17) | |
Loved It (60) | |
Liked It (65) | |
It Was OK (44) | |
Did Not Like (20) | |
Hated It (8) |
Reader Stats (314):
Read It (237) | |
Want To Read (52) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (22) |
7 comment(s)
All right. I'm just gonna go out and say it: Margo is a super-bitch.
Okay! Now that that's over, on to some lighter news. I really like the way John Green writes. Complicated ideas and thoughts are explained plainly and simply (not that there was too much complication going on). The story itself was so-so, but it was the characters that really got me involved. They seemed so real and interesting. I just wish the story was different and didn't revolve around a stupid little girl who has no idea how the world works.
All right. I'm just gonna go out and say it: Margo is a super-bitch.
Okay! Now that that's over, on to some lighter news. I really like the way John Green writes. Complicated ideas and thoughts are explained plainly and simply (not that there was too much complication going on). The story itself was so-so, but it was the characters that really got me involved. They seemed so real and interesting. I just wish the story was different and didn't revolve around a stupid little girl who has no idea how the world works.
Paper Towns is about two people, Quentin and Margo, entwined because they live next door to each other and found a body of a nobody when they were children. Quentin has always been fascinated by Margo, he thinks he loves her. She recruits him into help get vengeance on those who have wronged her and then she disappears the next day Quentin is left searching for Margo. Not only her real physical body but also the person he realizes he never really knew.
Overall, excellent book that can feel slow at times but is rewarding in the end. I enjoyed the overall theme that even though you may think you know someone the person that appears on the outside is not always who they are in private.
I didn't like this book at all,found it boring and a little predictable, I will try more john green as read 2 now, one I liked and one I didn't so I'll go for the hat trick and see what I think... hmm.
Totally unsatisfying
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.
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
What can you read after
Paper Towns?
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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