Book Review: John Green's Paper Towns

I went into John Green’s novel, Paper Towns, knowing nothing about the plot. I think this might be the best way to read a book though; without expectations or hype. This allows you to be surprised, and I was definitely surprised with Paper Towns.

Before Paper Towns, I had previously read John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars and Looking For Alaska. I enjoyed both, which is what made me interested in reading another one of Green’s books. If you have ever read of one of his stories, you will know that he has a specific style of quirky dialogue and unique character traits that make his writing memorable.

This story follows Quentin Jacobsen, who has been in love with his young neighbor since he was a kid. The girl’s name is Margo Roth Spiegelman, and she is bold and adventurous. She is also very mysterious, which is what propels the story forward.

Taking place in Orlando, Florida, the story begins when Quentin and Margo are children. After making a gruesome discovery, they grow up living in different social circles at school. Quentin watches from afar though, dreaming of Margo and wishing for more.

Then something unexpected happens. Margo arrives at Quentin’s bedroom window in the middle of the night, with a plan for revenge.

The two drive around Orlando for a night of fun, getting back at those who Margo believes wronged her. Quentin cannot believe what is happening, and gets in more trouble that he has ever had. It makes him feel free and more alive.

This event sets the stage for the rest of the book, because after this thrilling night, Margo disappears. What follows is Quentin looking for clues and dissecting the life of the girl he thought he knew, in order to bring her back.

Paper Towns is adventurous, humorous, and reads easily. I particularly enjoyed the other main characters, Quentin’s best friends Radar and Ben. They provided a comical balance to the story, even when the story arrives at an unexpectedly dark section. A road trip towards the end of the story involving graduation gowns, beer bottles, timed pit-stops, and cows also makes for a unique fast-paced adventure.

The problem I faced while reading was that I found myself frustrated and annoyed by Margo, which made me not root for Quentin to succeed in his search. I wanted better for him, but I guess that makes this story realistic. People are not always who we think or want and we sometimes have to learn that ourselves.

The ending is a bit ambiguous and abrupt, but I closed the book knowing I would miss Quentin and his friends. I wanted to hear more about their future and l wished there were a few more pages so I could discover their reactions to the concluding moments. The characters felt like my friends in the end, and I think that makes for a great reading experience.