Looking for Alaska by John Green

I'm about halfway through this book, and it's been very intriguing so far. Miles Halter, nicknamed "Pudge" by one of his new friends, Alaska, has recently embarked on a journey to Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama. He left his home in Florida on a mission to find a better life. Pudge's obsession with reading biographies and collecting people's famous last words led him to his desire for another beginning, "He was this poet. And his last words were 'I go to seek a Great Perhaps.' That's why I'm going. So I don't have to wait until I die to start seeking a Great Perhaps'" (Green 5). So far, the book has consisted of Pudge learning who his enemies are, enjoying Religion class and socializing with his roommate, Chip 'Colonel' Martin, Alaska Young and some of their friends. Within the campus, as Pudge soon learns, there are two distinct groups of students, the Weekday Warriors and the regular boarding school students. He finds himself following the path of making not-so rule abiding choices, as seems the standard for most students at this school. 

Along with the interesting connections between the characters, John Green has created a lot of suspense in his book. I have many questions about what will happen. Will Pudge and Alaska become more than friends? What will come of the pranks between the Weekday Warriors and the regular boarders? And what is the mysterious climax that the whole book seems to revolve around? Looking for Alaska isn't set up with chapters, but rather with a new heading for each new day. For example, "one-hundred thirty-six days before" on page one and counting down with every day. After page 133, the heading shifts to "after". This makes me wonder how important an event must be in order for the narrator, Pudge, to focus all of his writing around one day. 

The above quote represents very well not only the great imagery in the book, but the symbolism too. I think that rain is an accurate portrayal of Alaska's personality, sometimes positive and beneficial, sometimes a hinderance, fluctuating but necessary, and not afraid to be bold. Rain could also be a great symbol for Pudge, following the footsteps of others but still having his own thoughts and opinions. Rain doesn't choose where to fall, the clouds do, but the rain chooses how to fall, right? Will it snow? Will it pour? How will Pudge react?

I'm really looking forward to continuing to read this book. It seems like it has many surprises in store, and lots of suspense! The following link is to quotes from the book on goodreads.

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/919292-looking-for-alaska