Turtles All the Way Down

286 pages

Published Sept. 8, 2017 by Dutton Books for Young Readers.

ISBN:: 978-0-525-55536-0

(2 reviews)

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

1 edition

Merovius reviewed Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Review of 'Turtles All the Way Down' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Turtles All the Way Down is a book about a girl living with OCD. And while I don't think it's the best John Green book and I'm not sure it's the one you would like best, it is my favorite by far. I don't have OCD, but I am mentally ill. And I have never read a book which conveys how it is to live with mental illness as well as this one. Almost every page contains a highlight of something Aza says which I find deeply relatable. The book is almost devoid of plot, but that is a good thing. Because that's part of how it feels to live with mental illness and it gives a lot of space to depict Aza's inner monologue.
I can't praise this book enough.

Thom reviewed Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Review of 'Turtles All the Way Down' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I love books by John Green, but didn't love this. The main character has major anxieties and this comes across very well; the internal voices and comparison to external world (friends) was great.Those few friends were okay, though fairly 2D. The main buddy, Daisy, has motivations that I still don't understand. Then there's the mystery, which feels very flat to me. I'm not sure if it even rises to the level of MacGuffin.

Outside of the mystery, the major story catalyst happens more than 3/4 of the way through the book, which feels very late. The changes from this feel a little rushed, but realistic. Also well done was the spiral, and title comparison to turtles all the way down. We really inhabit this character's uncomfortable world.

It may take a reread to really enjoy this book, but I doubt it will rise to the heights his other books have …

I love books by John Green, but didn't love this. The main character has major anxieties and this comes across very well; the internal voices and comparison to external world (friends) was great.Those few friends were okay, though fairly 2D. The main buddy, Daisy, has motivations that I still don't understand. Then there's the mystery, which feels very flat to me. I'm not sure if it even rises to the level of MacGuffin.

Outside of the mystery, the major story catalyst happens more than 3/4 of the way through the book, which feels very late. The changes from this feel a little rushed, but realistic. Also well done was the spiral, and title comparison to turtles all the way down. We really inhabit this character's uncomfortable world.

It may take a reread to really enjoy this book, but I doubt it will rise to the heights his other books have for me. For now, 2.5 stars - halfway between "I liked it" and "It was OK".