Paper Towns - John Green

It's hard to believe that little over a year ago, this particular blogger was unaware of the existence of a somewhat well-known and renowned American author named John Green. His first main novel was the astoundingly brilliant Looking for Alaska, one of my favourite books of last year, followed by An Abundance of Katherines, which I must admit, did not rock my world.

Paper Towns is the third young adult novel from this fabulous young John Green. I was a little wary, after being disappointed by Katherines, but need not have worried. Paper Towns is the story of high school student Quentin Jacobsen, who has lived next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman since he was two years old. They were best friends until one day, at nine years old, they discovered a dead body. Now high-school seniors, Quentin is still besotted with the wilful and independent Margo, but they no longer speak. So one night, when she climbs through his bedroom window and invites him to help her in her all-night mission for revenge, Quentin cannot refuse. The night is insane and daring, impulsive and every bit as exciting as Quentin could have hoped, but the next day at school he discovers that Margo has disappeared. However, Margo has left clues for Quentin and his friends to follow, and he soon finds himself on a journey that will change his life.

It is safe to say that Paper Towns is not what I expected. What begins as an adventurous romance soon turns into something quite different. Quentin is the anchor of the story. The main protagonist, it is Quentin's desire to find Margo that drives the plot, and his confusion about her that keeps the reader so involved. He is so normal that it is easy to identify with him. Margo on the other hand, while intriguing, is very hard to understand. She is the enigma, the mystery that is slowly revealed. Paper Towns is witty, warm and magical, touching deeply into the meaning of truth and friendship and what it is to feel hope, despair or love. Although the ending may also not be what the reader expects, it is the journey that makes the story worthwhile.

Brilliant brilliant brilliant! Green will most certainly go down in my book as one of the most astute authors when dealing with characters making that final transition to adulthood.

Other blog reviews:
Bold.Blue.Adventure
Gemini Moon
Ravenous Bookshelf
Stuff as Dreams are made on
Things mean a lot
The Written World