You’re right that self isn’t simple, Aza. Maybe it’s not even singular. Self is a plurality, but pluralities can also be integrated, right? Think of a rainbow. It’s one arc of light, but also seven differently colored arcs of light.
Summary
Are you in high school? About to head off to college? In Turtles All The Way Down by John Green, Aza Holmes is a high school girl who suffers from terrible anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Her best friend, Daisy, is a bubbly, hard working Chuck E. Cheese employee who stands by her despite Aza’s mental problems. One day, news came out about a billionaire, Russel Pickett, who has gone missing and a $100,000 reward would be given if found or had any leading evidence. Coincidentally, the billionaire’s son, Davis Pickett, was a childhood friend of Aza’s. Daisy persuades Aza to take a canoe down the river behind Aza’s house to Davis’ mansion to reconnect with Davis and try to solve the mystery of his dad’s disappearance which could lead to a large reward for the girls. Over the next few months, Aza and Davis begin dating, the girls fall into the large payday they had hoped for, relationships are tested, and Aza’s compulsions and worries cause her to unravel.
Likes
- John Green gives us an inside look into the mind of Aza who is struggling with mental problems and how this affects how she thinks of herself as a person.
- Aza is someone who is struggling to find her identity, which everyone can relate to at some point in their life.
- There is symbolism when it comes to the circle and spiral patterns, so that’s why there is a spiral pattern on the book cover.
- I like that even though Aza might be a lot to handle with, Daisy sticks by her side.
Dislikes
- Even though this book had mystery with trying to find Russel, the billionaire, there wasn’t enough of that mystery in the book and I wish there was more.
- Why the title, Turtles All The Way Down? Still have no idea what it means.
… I realized something Davis must have already known: Spirals grow infinitely small the farther you follow them inward, but they also grow infinitely large the farther you follow them out.
Overall
Even though this was a young adult novel, it had heavy subject matter. Although, John Green did a good job on making it not too heavy on the characters. There is plenty of humor spots throughout the novel to keep the story not too depressing. I like that this book deals with the reality of life that Aza and most teens have to journey through. However, it is mainly what takes place in their heads throughout this time and that’s where my interest got lost.
word count: 389
SassyMads 