An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green

October 20, 2008

in Fiction,Reviews

An Abundance of Katherines is one of the most charming books I’ve read all year. I loved Looking for Alaska, Green’s first novel, and was not disappointed by his second. An Abundance of Katherines was a 2007 Printz honor book.

Colin Singleton, washed up child prodigy, has dated and been dumped by nineteen Katherines. Katherine XIX dumped him just days ago – right after graduation. Now he has a hole in his heart, $10,000 of game show money, a car named Satan’s Hearse, and a best friend adept at avoiding life. Colin and Hassan therefore embark on a road trip that ends rather quickly in Gutshot, Tennessee, where they meet Lindsey Lee Wells and her mother Hollis. Staying in the Wells’ Pink Mansion, Colin sets out to perfect The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability and ends up with something better.

I just loved this book. It’s delightful and charming and literate. Plus, there are footnotes! Funny ones. I laughed out loud throughout – and not just at the footnotes. The characters are all so lovable and real. I sometimes have a hard time relating to teenagers in books because they are often so stupid. These characters, while realistically flawed, are not stupid. They’re just trying to figure it all out. It’s a coming-of-age story like no other I’ve ever read. Except maybe Looking for Alaska, and Katherines is more light-hearted than that. I can’t do it justice. You just need to read it.

An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green ★★★★☆

This book qualifies for the Printz Project.

Other Reviews:
Library Queue
Book Addiction
Becky’s Book Reviews
Things Mean A Lot
The Hidden Side of a Leaf
Fyrefly’s Book Blog

Buy An Abundance of Katherines at Amazon.com.

You May Also Like:

  1. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green
  2. Looking for Alaska, by John Green
  3. Paper Towns, by John Green

{ 10 comments }

chartroose October 21, 2008 at 10:12 am

I’ve been thinking about reading this for awhile, and this review has convinced me. Another for the TBR list!

Shelley October 21, 2008 at 11:52 am

I love it when I read a review of something my 14 year old daughter would like (and probably myself). I think we’ll try this one.

Lisa October 21, 2008 at 12:48 pm

I have this one on my paperbackswap wishlist. It’s moving verrrry sloooooowly though.

I finally got your book in the mail today, so expect it end of the week, beginning of next!

Matt October 21, 2008 at 1:04 pm

Saw this book at the bookstore table and thought the title is really funny.

Nymeth October 21, 2008 at 2:40 pm

I’m glad you loved it too :D John Green is just incredible, isn’t he?

Fyrefly October 21, 2008 at 4:47 pm

I loved this one as well! (review here) I’ve got Paper Towns sitting on my nightstand, calling my name. Actually, I’m a little afraid to start it, because I’m worried that I’m going to be disappointed – he can’t just keep writing phenomenal books, can he?

Jessica October 22, 2008 at 2:59 pm

chartroose – This is definitely a good pick. In fact, I’d recommend anything by John Green.

Shelley – I wish I had a daughter to share this book with. Let me know how you like it.

Lisa – I hope it moves up faster! Thanks again for the book; I’m really looking forward to reading it.

Matt – The title (and the premise) is really great. I didn’t think it would really work – the whole Katherines thing – but it did.

Nymeth – I’m loving the John Green. I’ve got a hold on Paper Towns to satisfy my Green-lust, but I don’t know what I’ll do after that.

Fyrefly – I’ve added a link to your review. I can’t wait to read your review of Paper Towns. I was afraid I’d be disappointed with this one, but I ended up liking it better than Looking for Alaska!

Suey October 23, 2008 at 12:04 pm

I too loved this one. And I can’t wait to read Paper Towns if only Amazon would deliver it to me!! Grrrr!

Natasha @ Maw Books October 23, 2008 at 10:19 pm

I have yet to read a John Green book (gasp!). I must remedy that soon.

manni January 27, 2009 at 2:34 pm

honestly, ithink the book sucked.

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