An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green
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 
Other Reviews:
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Fyrefly’s Book Blog
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9 comments
I’ve been thinking about reading this for awhile, and this review has convinced me. Another for the TBR list!
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.
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!
Saw this book at the bookstore table and thought the title is really funny.
I’m glad you loved it too :D John Green is just incredible, isn’t he?
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?
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!
I too loved this one. And I can’t wait to read Paper Towns if only Amazon would deliver it to me!! Grrrr!
I have yet to read a John Green book (gasp!). I must remedy that soon.
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