muffinreads's review
2.0
I don't know why I keep trying to read what everyone else is reading because I hear about how marvellous these books are but I am disappointed when I'm met with some rather tiresome, clichéd characters that are characterised by a rather coarse and unrefined manner of speech and are placed in various situations that are meant to be funny but are sorely lacking in that respect.
Colin Singleton, a 19-year old prodigy (but unfortunately not a genius) is a "dumpee". He has been dumped by 19 Katherines. Of course, true to his prodigious nature, he begins working on a theorem-- the Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, to be exact. This Theorem is supposed to be useful to him in that it would predict all his future relationships. That's just the beginning and it's already cringey.
I think I'm going to stop giving John Green's books a chance now. You'd think I'd have realized this 3 and a half books ago. *sigh*
Colin Singleton, a 19-year old prodigy (but unfortunately not a genius) is a "dumpee". He has been dumped by 19 Katherines. Of course, true to his prodigious nature, he begins working on a theorem-- the Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, to be exact. This Theorem is supposed to be useful to him in that it would predict all his future relationships. That's just the beginning and it's already cringey.
I think I'm going to stop giving John Green's books a chance now. You'd think I'd have realized this 3 and a half books ago. *sigh*
jacisbooks's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm glad i finally had the time to finish it because it's very lovely and, like every John Green book, it makes you think about your life and your choices.
“Even if it’s a dumb story, telling it changes people just the slightest little bit, just as living the story changes me. An infinitesimal change. And that infinetisimal change ripples outward —ever smaller but everlasting. I will get forgotten, but the stories will last. And so we all matter —maybe less than a lot, but always more than none.”
“Even if it’s a dumb story, telling it changes people just the slightest little bit, just as living the story changes me. An infinitesimal change. And that infinetisimal change ripples outward —ever smaller but everlasting. I will get forgotten, but the stories will last. And so we all matter —maybe less than a lot, but always more than none.”
lautir's review
3.0
This story was cute but I think what sold me on it was the random facts that were thrown in due to the main characters tremendous memory for obscure facts.
The characters were well constructed but the plot was a little straight forward, even for YA and the ending left one big question (at least in my mind) open ended which irked me a little.
But I like John Green's way with words so that's enough to get me to read more of his stuff.
The characters were well constructed but the plot was a little straight forward, even for YA and the ending left one big question (at least in my mind) open ended which irked me a little.
But I like John Green's way with words so that's enough to get me to read more of his stuff.
ibarmyarmy's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have wanted to read this book for about 10 years and was so excited to finally start it. It took me months to finish because I really struggled to get into it. The pace was slow and I didn’t feel invested in the characters. The footnotes were off-putting too. Not one of John Green’s best works, in my opinion.
martyreadsya's review
5.0
This was sensational. Being a maths geek myself, I found this book sooo good! The best parts were when Colin was trying to get his formula right. I literally loved this idea. It was this special thing which made this novel unique. A great idea for a book.
Colin and Lindsey's thoughts about about life and existence were amazing. Very deep, made me re-think some things and look back on my life.
Just perfect.
Colin and Lindsey's thoughts about about life and existence were amazing. Very deep, made me re-think some things and look back on my life.
Just perfect.
schlanz's review
4.0
(My first review was better, but goodreads didn't save it.)
Here's the thing about John Green books. Every time I pick one up, I think, "Okay, I've heard this is pretty good, but I'm kind of a book snob, so we'll see," and, without fail, I end up loving it. Mr. Green has such a way of creating unique and unlikely, yet realistic and relatable, situations and unique and unlikely, yet realistic and relatable, characters that I can't help but fall in love with his writing. It's a wonderful curse.
However, my experience with An Abundance of Katherines was a bit different. I hadn't heard any spectacular reviews about it, and I wasn't too fond of the basic premise. I mean, come on. Nineteen Katherines? Really? The odds of that are preposterous. So I was a bit reluctant to pick up the book. But, of course, I ordered it from the library, if only because I was determined to read all of his published works, and this one happened to be the only full novel I had yet to read.
WARNING: SPOILERS
Already prejudiced against it, I opened the book and read the first page. Okay, there was a footnote. Not something you see in your everyday YA novel. It translated the word "Eureka." Cool. I figured translating would be any following footnotes' function as well. Three pages later, there was another footnote, which said "More on that later," which led me to a realization and two reasons to keep reading.
Realization: Footnotes would be an important part of this book.
Reason 1: I liked the footnotes and was intrigued by them.
Reason 2: I really had to get to the "later."
So there is was, the beginning of my falling into love with An Abundance of Katherines. By the middle of the novel—as with all Green books—I was sold. Maybe I didn't love it as much as his others, but it struck a chord with me, which is why I gave it four stars.
Why it struck a chord? Well, I could relate to Colin (not TOC, of course), Lindsey, and even Hassan. I'm a bit of a child prodigy myself, a chameleon, and that friend who listens to everyone else's problems without really sharing my own. It's rare that I find a book that explains some of those parts of me I could never find the words for, and this one did just that. Thus, it undoubtedly goes on my list of favorites.
And Katherine I being Katherine XIX really took me by surprise, enough that I had to stop reading, put the book down, mentally put the pieces together, and reconcile the two characters as one. I'm not often surprised by books, so kudos to you, John Green. You are one of the few who managed to do it.
The humor was also to my taste; I smirked/snorted a few times. On an unrelated note, I found it a little hard to believe that two sets of overprotective parents let their only sons go on a road trip together, but then again, they were guys, and guys tend to be allowed more freedom to do this sort of crazy thing than girls (like me), for reasons which I will never fully understand.
Anyways, I read and enjoyed every bit of this book, including every footnote and even the appendix, which I understood as well as an exhausted, slightly mentally-inclined teenager can during the summer. (Hello, early Senioritis!) I understand that this isn't everyone's cup of tea as far as books go, but it was certainly mine, and I thank you, John Green, for writing it, and your friend Daniel for doing the math (literally).
P.S. This is the only John Green book I've ever felt passionately enough to not only write a review but rewrite a review for because the first one that I spent over an hour on deleted itself. And yet it's not my favorite. Maybe it's just my mood or some strange connection my subconscious made—who knows? Perhaps I'll think up a theorem to explain it.
Here's the thing about John Green books. Every time I pick one up, I think, "Okay, I've heard this is pretty good, but I'm kind of a book snob, so we'll see," and, without fail, I end up loving it. Mr. Green has such a way of creating unique and unlikely, yet realistic and relatable, situations and unique and unlikely, yet realistic and relatable, characters that I can't help but fall in love with his writing. It's a wonderful curse.
However, my experience with An Abundance of Katherines was a bit different. I hadn't heard any spectacular reviews about it, and I wasn't too fond of the basic premise. I mean, come on. Nineteen Katherines? Really? The odds of that are preposterous. So I was a bit reluctant to pick up the book. But, of course, I ordered it from the library, if only because I was determined to read all of his published works, and this one happened to be the only full novel I had yet to read.
WARNING: SPOILERS
Already prejudiced against it, I opened the book and read the first page. Okay, there was a footnote. Not something you see in your everyday YA novel. It translated the word "Eureka." Cool. I figured translating would be any following footnotes' function as well. Three pages later, there was another footnote, which said "More on that later," which led me to a realization and two reasons to keep reading.
Realization: Footnotes would be an important part of this book.
Reason 1: I liked the footnotes and was intrigued by them.
Reason 2: I really had to get to the "later."
So there is was, the beginning of my falling into love with An Abundance of Katherines. By the middle of the novel—as with all Green books—I was sold. Maybe I didn't love it as much as his others, but it struck a chord with me, which is why I gave it four stars.
Why it struck a chord? Well, I could relate to Colin (not TOC, of course), Lindsey, and even Hassan. I'm a bit of a child prodigy myself, a chameleon, and that friend who listens to everyone else's problems without really sharing my own. It's rare that I find a book that explains some of those parts of me I could never find the words for, and this one did just that. Thus, it undoubtedly goes on my list of favorites.
And Katherine I being Katherine XIX really took me by surprise, enough that I had to stop reading, put the book down, mentally put the pieces together, and reconcile the two characters as one. I'm not often surprised by books, so kudos to you, John Green. You are one of the few who managed to do it.
The humor was also to my taste; I smirked/snorted a few times. On an unrelated note, I found it a little hard to believe that two sets of overprotective parents let their only sons go on a road trip together, but then again, they were guys, and guys tend to be allowed more freedom to do this sort of crazy thing than girls (like me), for reasons which I will never fully understand.
Anyways, I read and enjoyed every bit of this book, including every footnote and even the appendix, which I understood as well as an exhausted, slightly mentally-inclined teenager can during the summer. (Hello, early Senioritis!) I understand that this isn't everyone's cup of tea as far as books go, but it was certainly mine, and I thank you, John Green, for writing it, and your friend Daniel for doing the math (literally).
P.S. This is the only John Green book I've ever felt passionately enough to not only write a review but rewrite a review for because the first one that I spent over an hour on deleted itself. And yet it's not my favorite. Maybe it's just my mood or some strange connection my subconscious made—who knows? Perhaps I'll think up a theorem to explain it.
katherinem310's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
the_powell_owl's review
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"As the staggered lines rushed past him, he thought about the space between what we remember and what happened, the space between what we predict and what will happen. And in that space, Collin thought, there was room enough to reinvent himself--room enough to make himself into something other than a prodigy, to remake his story better and different--room enough to be reborn again and again."
isabellaross's review
4.0
This book is still amazing yet not as good as tfios or lfa. While I was reading it I thought it was quite boring but when I finished it the truth was seen. One of the best books I have seen. Not the best but one of them. Now Collin is not the kind of guy writers normally use he is average and normal not some vampire or popular boy. He is just like everyone else. This book is really down to earth genuine stuff. That's what I love john green for he writes like it actually happens the main characters are not really popular or perfect. It puts everything in perspective to not try and be perfect. I hope you enjoy this book
tbooks15's review against another edition
3.0
Incel shit honestly like a good message and an absolutely perfect final scene that’s why it gets a 3 but it’s just a lot at the beginning