An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Us, Engineering A Josh**
Considering how much I enjoyed Looking for Alaska I can’t explain why it took me five months to pick, this, his second book of of my shelves.
But, this week encouraged by Dewey’s Book Reading Challenge I finally slipped it off the shelves, and settled down to read it.
Colin Singleton, a washed-up child prodigy with a penchant for anagrams, has just been dumped. Again. For the 19th time.By a girl called Katherine. Some might say there was a theme developing here…
Languishing in the middle of a deep funk, his best (and only) friend Hassan, hauls him off on a road trip for the summer. However they never get further than their first stop. Gutshot, Tennessee, landing summer jobs and a new friend in Lindsay Lee Wells (trainee paramedic).
I don’t think you can ever fill the empty space with the thing you lost. … That’s what I realized: if I did get her back somehow, she wouldn’t fill the hole that losing her created.
Working for Lindsay’s mum, Hollis Wells, Colin, Hassan and Lindsay, spend their days interviewing the oldies of Gutshot, to put together an oral history of the town.
Colin spends his free time (and much of the time he should be working) developing his Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, hoping that it will finally mark him out as a somebody, and fulfil his potential to be a genius. He hopes in short, for it to be his Eureka! moment.
While he’s not looking however, through his friendship with Lindsay, and his interviews with the residents of Gutshot, he learns something about the nature of stories that that no Theorem or mathematical formula – no matter how impressive – can predict the future.
Just like Alsaka, John Green fills An Abundance of Katherines with fantastic characters, and you can’t help but love the three main characters of, Colin, Lindsay and Hassan. Colin and Lindsay, through there attempts to find themselves and Hassan, for being the best kind of friend for Colin, and being completely hilarious!
And this book is as funny as it it touching (the scenes in Lindsay’s secret hideout, are wonderful as much for as what is not said between her and Colin, as for what is) , with some real laugh out loud moments, especially with some of the footnotes, but mostly from the relationship and banter between Colin and Hassan.
Is it as good as Looking for Alaska? No, not quite, partly because I don’t think the flow is quite as good, but really, I think because, it doesn’t have the emotional gut-punch moment of Alaska. But it’s right that it doesn’t, it would spoil the book for the same trick to be attempted again.
Once again, just brilliant. Can’t wait to find myself a copy of Paper Towns.
Rating: 
Other Reviews:
Awards
- Michael L. Printz Award Honor (2007)
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (2006)- Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist
- ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2007)
** John Green is a Genius
Beth F (15)
Amanda (13)
stephanie (11)
Amused (10)
Chris (10)
Kailana (10)
Louise (8)
Alyce (6)
Joanne (6)
Jody (6)
Yep…John Green is a genius. The scenes are the hideout were some of my favourites too. If I did ratings, I think this would be around 4.5 too, while Alaska and Paper Towns are both solid 5s.
Oooh sounds good.
If you’re putting it up for mooch, I’m definitely interested in it
MissMac´s last blog post: Plodding on
It’s a keeper this one, but I might just remember to bring it over to York…
Have you read Looking for Alaska yet?
I just finished Paper Towns last week and loved it. I want Hassan to be my friend!! I loved this book a lot. The friendship between Colin and Hassan was what sealed the deal for me…I would love to go on a road trip with them. Now I’m just waiting for what he’s going to write next!!
Staci´s last blog post: The Blog World Rocks
Hassan, is great isn’t he?!
Like you, I read Alaska months ago and failed to pick up another John Green. Yesterday at the library I finally grabbed Katherines. I’m hoping I love it as much as I did Alaska.
Lisa´s last blog post: The Sunday Salon for February 1
I’m sure you will enjoy it, it’s not quite as good as Alaska, but that is hardly a criticism!
I’m trying to figure out why I haven’t read this one yet…it’s just sitting there on my bookshelf. I’m thinking it’s because I know it’s the last John Green novel out there that I haven’t read yet…I’m trying to savor it…yeah, that’s it.
Chris´s last blog post: January Wrap Up
Grab it off the shelf, Chris! You know you want to!
I got a copy of Paper Towns for my birthday, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. So many great reviews for John Green books should have pushed me over the edge. But I just haven’t had the time! I’m glad you enjoyed this one. It’s definitely on my list of books to read someday!
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Make the time! Make the time! Make the time!
You won’t regret it. (Not that I’ve read Paper Towns yet, but still…!)
I just got Looking for Alaska at the library this week. I’m looking forward to it after having read An Abundance of Katherines.
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Alaska, is a perfect read. Make sure give allocate yourself plenty of time, because you won’t be putting it down!
Great review! i agree that this Green didn’t have the same emotional power of Alaska but I think the reason I admire his writing so much is that he can handle different styles equally well. I read Alaska and it knocked me on my ass then I read Katherines and was completely into the fun feeling of it.
Joanne´s last blog post: January 2009 – Reading Recap
Great review!
Thanks for participating in the 9 for ‘09 Reading Challenge.
I hope that a lot of younger people discover John Green.
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I also read An Abundance of Katherines for Dewey’s Book Challenge. I loved it. It’s the only John Green book I’ve read (so far).
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