Opened my eyes

For the most part of this book I found the main character to be whiny and annoying, until at one moment I realised that was how I was meant to feel about her. I was ignoring her illness and what it felt to be HER.
I truly loved this book, because it’s true to life - it just goes on. Highly recommend to those who need their minds opened.

4 people found this helpful

IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT............

Would you consider the audio edition of Turtles All the Way Down to be better than the print version?

I thought Kate Rudd did a very good reading of the book. It's always difficult for any reader to alternate between male and female, but she did well. I've not read the print version, but that's why I subscribe to audible - so I can "read" and do other things (walk, drive).

What other book might you compare Turtles All the Way Down to, and why?

It's probably appropriate to compare it to John Green's other books, all of which I've either read or listened to. Like all the others, John Green writes about late teen life. This has similar emotional depth to "The Fault in our Stars", and was told from the female perspective. For me I didn't find much humour, which permeated TFIOS. This was a hard 'read' at times, but I was always cared about Aza, and felt myself really caring about what happened next. Not a "fun ride" that was Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska, but they were told from the perspective of healthy males. This is a female with challenges. I don't know if I'd say I enjoyed "Turtles" more or less. A bit like your favourite song - it depends on your mood at the time. Sometimes you want a slow ballad, other times a rock epic, or other times something to dance to. What I will say is that I found myself emotionally involved in this character at least is deeply as I was with TFIOS.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The ending wasn't what I expected, and that's about all I should say. I don't think it's fair to go into that too deeply for a review that someone might read when they're trying to decide whether or not to buy this book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not too keen on spoiling the book for readers of this review, but there was a scene when Aza was driving her car after finding she'd been starring in her friends Star Wars fan fiction. Quite challenging, but it added a lot to the emotional depth of the character and book.

Any additional comments?

I was always emotionally involved in the main character, and thus the book was one I would recommend strongly. If you enjoyed TFIOS, I would expect you will enjoy this book. John Green writes his stories, and develops his characters, incredibly well. They seem very real. But don't expect a lot of fun with this one. Be ready for an emotional roller coaster which takes a long time to get out of the darkness.

3 people found this helpful

vivid, illustrative, relatable, sad

wasn't what i was expecting. even pay off the way through I didn't know what to expect. it was vivid. it was sad.

1 person found this helpful

Turtles All The Way Down

This is an amazing book it has drama,love and many heart felt moments. I would recommend this book to an older range of readers.

1 person found this helpful

Let down

Unrelatable. Boring and lack of excitement in the story. It just continued at a very slow pace. Wasn’t engaging.

1 person found this helpful

ugh

Rich man leaves fortune to a lizard rather than his teenage children. what and why?

This one is pure philosophy

And exploration of 'Who am I?'. The author obviously has some philosophy in his bones, and he's managed to incorporate a lot of solid stuff about differentiating between body, thoughts, and the person who is none of those things - the watcher. Lots of Shakespeare quotes. Some poetry. A really good effort. Only negative - looking inside the mind of a person with a mental health issue is not enjoyable. I shouldn't call that a negative - perhaps confronting is a better word. I was hoping for a happy ending. It came, but not in the way I was expecting. More about this is life - learn to recognise it for what it is, and don't get fooled by it. Much bigger message than happily every after.

Beautiful Story. Read Beautifully.

You’ll love it. It’s the kind of story that when you finish you will wish that there was a sequel and also be secretly glad that there is not.

Review

Narrator was softly spoken, clear and easy to listen to.
Story plot was average. However it did raise awareness of mental health and expose of an individual with mental illness faces specifically internally.

Great read, fantastic insight.

This was such a good book. A wonderful insight into the impact of mental health. John Green writes in such an accessible way. I fully recommend this book.