Description: Greg, the
protagonist, and his friend Earl, high school seniors, like to make films. Another friend,
Rachel, has leukemia.
Plot: Greg's mother
“makes” him be friends with Rachel, a girl who has leukemia.
Greg and Earl make a film for Rachel. Despite the sad subject
matter, the book is actually a lighter read and funny.
Characterization: The
characters are well developed, had their own distinct personalities,
and sound exactly like high school students. Greg is a loner with
self-esteem issues. Earl is a “black kid from a troubled home”
but he is a good friend and likable. Rachel is not as developed as
the boys but the book really isn't about her, it's about Greg and to
some extent Earl.
Setting: A high school
in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The descriptions were good, I was able
to picture every scene without it being over-described.
Other: I read the first
release of this book [the one with the cover above] and NOT the
revised/re-issued book. I have not seen the movie, this is a review
of the book only.
Overall: I'm not someone
who enjoys “tear-jerker” stories. I was pleasantly surprised by
this book. It's a good story, on the lighter side of the serious
subject matter. Funny. Made me laugh quite a few times. Greg, the
narrator, often speaks directly to the reader with lines like “this
book sucks” and “I don't know why I'm even writing this.” I
would read more by this author.
Grade: A-
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