Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

104 reviews

clovetra's review

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dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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jeggert10's review

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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radioheadfan's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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jordan_noel's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I thought Aza’s character explored the complexities of OCD and anxiety extremely well. I agree with John Green that Ada describing her condition more directly, rather than purely in vague metaphors, helps others who don’t share her struggles better understand mental illness.

The only real issues I had with the book were the sort of childishness present in even adult topics. For me at least, Aza and Davis’s grief didn’t feel real. It felt like a story. The only real adult figure (Aza’s mom) felt without control and aimless. And though I loved the intricacies of Daisy and Aza’s friendship, I could not find myself to take Daisy’s character seriously. She just did not feel entirely real either.

But overall, I think this book just solidifies John Green’s impact as a writer capable of bringing such important issues to young people. I did enjoy this book.

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jcinf's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

As far as I know, I don’t have OCD, but I am a hypochondriac. I felt both seen by this book and I felt my anxiety build on itself. John Green really captures the isolation and self-hatred that comes with medical-induced anxiety. 

The characters were extremely lovable. Each interesting and with their own endearing personalities. The friendship between Aza and Daisy was sweet and complicated, but at the same time so simple. 

As I’ve said in other reviews, if I find a book memorable I come back and give it 5 stars. So we’ll see if it sticks with me!

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cecinamo's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Almost 5 stars, because this book was amazing, it did make my anxiety worse again ,_, I still loved it tho!!! I think it portrays anxiety in a realistic, non-romanticized way.  

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bookerbride's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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theycallmerash's review

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emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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breedawnwriter's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

John Green will always have a soft spot in my heart. The Fault in Our Stars was my favorite book for so many years because it captured something special and important about being a teenager.

Turtles All the Way Down does the same thing, but extends it to include something special and important about what it’s like to live with a mental illness.

Aza’s story is painful and, at times, heartbreaking to read. But her story is so important.

When you have an unseen diagnosis, it’s so hard to explain it to someone who doesn’t have it. When you have a mental illness, it’s so hard to know if you’re capable of being loved because it’s so easy to fall into the trap of believing that you are simply too annoying, too irritating, too irrational, too hard to love.

And John Green captures every feeling with all the grace, dignity, and humility that I’ve grown to expect from him. 

If you know someone who has a mental illness, please read this book. It will shed light on what it’s like in ways most people can’t explain.

If you have a mental illness, please read this book. It will make you feel seen and understood in ways that you didn’t quite know were possible.

5/5 stars with zero hesitation. Thank you, John Green. <3

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hecticglow's review

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emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Slow to start but as soon as I got into it didn't put it down. A classic John Green story with a flawed main character, loveable friends, kind love interest and a mystery Intertwined throughout. Really felt for the character throughout and her journey through this time in her life. Mental health and the struggles not swept under the rug but spotlighted as well as the impact it can have on those around you.

Spoilerthe ending was one that felt very real and brought me peace but I worried it wouldn't in the lead up. Hearing that her battles continue but she will lead a life and somewhat "go on" through it all brought me a lot of hope in the end

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