I never would have even picked up this book if it wasn't for my friend, Cameron. So, Cameron, I owe you big time, because this book was definitely something I needed!
Miles is about to be a junior in high school, but public school just isn't doing it for him. He is ready to discover the "Great Perhaps" and he hopes it lies within the campus of Culver Creek Boarding School, in Alabama (whoop whoop). Currently living in Florida, Miles hopes that, at least, a change of scenery will jump start his new journey.
Miles moved into his dorm to meet his new roommate (and soon-to-be best friend), Chip. No one called
him Chip, he goes by "The Colonel." He is a short stocky guy, just the opposite of Miles' tall, lanky, scrawny self. Demonstrating his nickname, The Colonel basically took charge and began to tell Miles how to survive at Culver Creek, and also told him who to be friends with, and vice versa. He even gave Miles a nickname of his own, "Pudge," because he was just the opposite. The Colonel introduced him to all of his friends, including Alaska, the hottest and most beautiful girl Miles had ever laid eyes on.
This group of friends was just the kind of people that parents always tell their kids to not hand around: "Don't smoke, don't drink, don't cuss, etc." The Colonel, Alaska and the gang did all of this and lived by it. Even though they did all of these things, they were the best friends Pudge could have ever asked for. And some of the smartest people. Alaska's room is literally filled with books stacked upon books stacked upon more books. The Colonel memorizes capitals for countries all over the world. Pudge learns things from them that he could never learn sitting in a desk within the barriers of a classroom.
Between hanging out with his new friends and pulling pranks and having fun, Pudge actually had to go to his classes and study. His religion class was a class he particularly enjoyed, and it made his mind stretch and mold more than any other. Pudge wasn't exactly religious, but the class made him look within himself to unfold his "Great Perhaps" among his struggles, fears, and failures.
The book is divided into two sections: BEFORE and AFTER. Before what? After what? That's for you to discover. You never actually know until POOF it happens. Which is a lot like life, usually. Between all of the shenanigans they partake in and the pranks they pull, Pudge and his friends learn a lot about what's important in life all within one short year.
I finished it last night, and I still can't get over how incredible this book was. Not only were the plot and characters so perfect, the words used throughout the book blew me away. John Green writes in such an elegant way. It's not over your head at all, but it really seeps inside you, and stays. This IS a sad book though, but the sad that makes it an outstanding book. Just make sure you keep tissues nearby.
AGE RESTRICTIONS: I do not recommend this book for anyone under 16. Some of the content is mature, especially the event that the BEFORE and AFTER describes. I don't know that I would have wanted to read about something like that before I was 16, but that's just me. The mature content includes drinking, smoking, profanity, and sexual content.
Read it for yourself to see if Pudge finds his "Great Perhaps" and what event makes the BEFORE and AFTER. You might just find out something about your own labyrinth..
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