Ich habe die Originalausgabe gelesen "Looking For Alaska"
A book that should not be “wasted“ (sorry) only on teenagers…
Miles Halter is sixteen when he succeeds in persuading his parents to send him to Culver Creek, the boarding school that is a tradition in his dad’s family. He hopes for…well, more: Something of a loner, with no real friends at his old school, his hobby is reading biographies – and collecting famous persons‘ last words on their dying beds.He argues with his parents: “I go to seek a Great Perhaps“. p. 8, PERHAPS not what he is living with now.
Miles‘ start in Birmingham, Alabama, comes with roommate ‘The Colonel‘ – and a very pretty girl named Alaska who offers more than just a little danger to the peace of mind. Well, Miles might collect last words – but moody and somewhat unpredictable Alaska is an avid reader and soon challenges him: on death, life, pulling of a prank, the sense of everything. Something of the trouble raiser she is, she pulls him into her world, „Sometimes you lose a battle. But mischief always wins the war.“ p. 71, Miles still feels deeply attracted. Or, as the Colonel puts it: „I just did some calculations, and I’ve been able to determine that you’re full of shit.“ p. 98
Both, his teachers, the school and his new friends prove to be demanding for Miles, and his former attitude of shrugging everything off and rather living a lonely life where nothing might really matter. Things do begin to matter, though, and Miles and his friends do have to make up their minds as they will be forever shaken by what happens.
The tone is light, the book is an easy read – but it comes up with a good set of intelligent questions on life, death, loyalty, meaning, loss, and friendship – without giving too easy answers but rather offering a guideline along the way. Clearly dedicated for teens, I still found it enjoyable even as a grown-up (somewhat to my surprise, I did not like teen lit much even when I was a teen). One might find some persons lacking more detail – but then, just as they are, I guess they offer better potential for simply more identification, so – I liked the book as it is! Author John Green does not shy of really getting to the matter – may it be teenage drinking, smoking, loss, death, or first sexual experiences. I will never ever look at my tooth paste innocently again!
Recommendation – particularly for the 10th anniversary edition. Not only does it look sophisticated (and that coming from me, I HATE cover shopping) with its gold and black and white style, the metallic look and the slight embossing of details, gorgeous with its black edge and black flyleaf/endpaper (yes!). It also comes with an extra introduction and an attachment which will help you better understand the story and its making.
Follow up:
Movie: Harvey (deutsch: Mein Freund Harvey) James Stewart. No other version allowed.
Book: Colin Higgins: „Harold and Maud“ (Harold und Maud…). There also is a decent movie for it, the book goes slightly deeper, the movie has got very apt music. Deuce.
Or, as Alaska would recommend: Gabriel Garçia Marques "The General in His Labyrinth"
