John Green’s newest novel, Turtles All the Way Down, isn’t as typical as his other teenage romance novels.
A story filled with mystery and drama, with a small dose of love, the novel focuses on the inner struggle of 16-year-old Aza Holmes, who suffers from anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While Aza and her best friend Daisy navigate the tumultuous journey that is high school, the pair decide to solve the mystery of a missing local billionaire.
Although some parts of the book seem random, the entirety of the story is told well and through a distinctive perspective. Every decision Aza makes is riddled with complexity and decisions, and each situation she finds herself in causes her more stress and anxiety.
Turtles All the Way Down is one of Green’s more sensitive novels, but not in the usual ways. The characters are raw and honest, and readers are exposed to Aza’s inner thoughts and emotions, making her seem vulnerable and uncovered. Ultimately, it’s a book that should be read by those looking for an original and bittersweet story.