The New York Times Bestseller, Will Grayson, Will Grayson, has been an outstanding read! After reading the summary of it, I never expected I would like it, but after finishing it, I loved it! The only reason I chose to read this novel was for an English project. My group decided to all read books by the famous author, John Green. All the other girls chose to read his other four popular books: An Abundance of Katherines, The Fault in Our Stars, Papertowns, and Looking for Alaska, so I was left with Will Grayson, Will Grayson.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson is written by two authors – John Green and David Levithan. John Green wrote the odd numbered chapters while David Levithan wrote the even chapters. The story goes along the lines of two high school aged boys, both named Will Grayson. One Will Grayson, the one brought to life by John Green who uses correct grammar and capitalization, feels as if he was living in the shadows of his so-called best friend, Tiny Cooper. Tiny is, as Will describes, “the world’s largest person who is really, really gay” (1). Tiny, brave and outgoing, decides to put on a play at first entitled Tiny Dancer about his life and how it was like growing up gay and how it’s okay. However, this Will Grayson is straight unlike the other Will Grayson. The other Will Grayson, who doesn’t use capitalization or correct grammar, is quite depressed and lonely – he hasn’t got that many friends, and the one real friend he does have, well…you’ll have to read to find out what happens to her. This Will Grayson is gay which is key in the development of the plot. The two Will Graysons happen to cross paths in the most unlikely place – a porn shop. But, believe me, it’s not as weird as it seems. At first, when I found out that one Will was gay, I was like, “Oh great…it’s gonna be one of THOSE types of books, ” but after reading it, the “gay” factor wasn’t that bad and it wasn’t cliché. It didn’t mean that the two main characters fell in love and lived happily ever after…whew!
My favorite things about the novel were how much I could relate to how
the characters were feeling on so many different levels. For example, when the gay Will Grayson expresses how he feels about his mom. He says, “i feel bad for her – i do. a damn shame, really, that i had to have a mother. it can’t be easy having me for a son. nothing can prepare someone for that kind of disappointment” (23). I sometimes feel this way when I let my family down. I also liked how the authors incorporated literary elements into their writing. For instance in an email to the gay Will Grayson from Isaac, “I feel my life is so scattered right now. Like it's all these small pieces of paper and someone's turned on the fan. But talking to you makes me feel like the fan's been turned off for a little bit. Like things could actually make sense. You completely unscatter me, and I appreciate that so much” (37). Or also saying, “me giving my mom romantic advice is kind of like a goldfish giving a snail advice on how to fly” (66). A third thing I absolutely loved was the fact that some partswere humorous and was as if I was standing right next to the character like when the gay Will Grayson’s mom was saying she needed to get a life – “Mom: 'I really have to stop doing this. I need to get a life.' Still, I can't help thinking that 'getting a life' is something only a complete idiot could believe. Like you can just drive to a store and get a life. See it in its shiny box and look inside the plastic window and catch a glimpse of yourself in a new life and say, 'Wow, I look much happier - I think this is the life I need to get!" Take it to the counter, ring it up, put it on your credit card” (65).
Even though many elements of the novel were spectacular, there
were a few things I didn’t like. I could’ve done without the offensive and
profane language used by all the characters. I’m not a huge fan of choice words, so in this novel, I didn’t think those words enhanced the novel; I think they actually took away from it. Another thing I didn’t necessarily like was that I enjoyed reading one of the Will Graysons’ chapters more than the other. I think the gay Will Grayson was more interesting because he actually had things going on in his life such as relationships, whereas the straight Will Grayson just kept fighting with Tiny Cooper.
Overall, I would recommend this book a friend. Besides the few
displeasing elements described, I loved this novel! Will Grayson, Will Grayson is an easy read with characters that are easily
relatable to current teenagers and what’s going on in their lives. This novel perfectly exemplifies the theme identity crisis; which is what most teens go
through at this point in their lives. If you’re having trouble discovering your
true personality or just want an interesting read – READ WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON!!
Will Grayson, Will Grayson is written by two authors – John Green and David Levithan. John Green wrote the odd numbered chapters while David Levithan wrote the even chapters. The story goes along the lines of two high school aged boys, both named Will Grayson. One Will Grayson, the one brought to life by John Green who uses correct grammar and capitalization, feels as if he was living in the shadows of his so-called best friend, Tiny Cooper. Tiny is, as Will describes, “the world’s largest person who is really, really gay” (1). Tiny, brave and outgoing, decides to put on a play at first entitled Tiny Dancer about his life and how it was like growing up gay and how it’s okay. However, this Will Grayson is straight unlike the other Will Grayson. The other Will Grayson, who doesn’t use capitalization or correct grammar, is quite depressed and lonely – he hasn’t got that many friends, and the one real friend he does have, well…you’ll have to read to find out what happens to her. This Will Grayson is gay which is key in the development of the plot. The two Will Graysons happen to cross paths in the most unlikely place – a porn shop. But, believe me, it’s not as weird as it seems. At first, when I found out that one Will was gay, I was like, “Oh great…it’s gonna be one of THOSE types of books, ” but after reading it, the “gay” factor wasn’t that bad and it wasn’t cliché. It didn’t mean that the two main characters fell in love and lived happily ever after…whew!
My favorite things about the novel were how much I could relate to how
the characters were feeling on so many different levels. For example, when the gay Will Grayson expresses how he feels about his mom. He says, “i feel bad for her – i do. a damn shame, really, that i had to have a mother. it can’t be easy having me for a son. nothing can prepare someone for that kind of disappointment” (23). I sometimes feel this way when I let my family down. I also liked how the authors incorporated literary elements into their writing. For instance in an email to the gay Will Grayson from Isaac, “I feel my life is so scattered right now. Like it's all these small pieces of paper and someone's turned on the fan. But talking to you makes me feel like the fan's been turned off for a little bit. Like things could actually make sense. You completely unscatter me, and I appreciate that so much” (37). Or also saying, “me giving my mom romantic advice is kind of like a goldfish giving a snail advice on how to fly” (66). A third thing I absolutely loved was the fact that some partswere humorous and was as if I was standing right next to the character like when the gay Will Grayson’s mom was saying she needed to get a life – “Mom: 'I really have to stop doing this. I need to get a life.' Still, I can't help thinking that 'getting a life' is something only a complete idiot could believe. Like you can just drive to a store and get a life. See it in its shiny box and look inside the plastic window and catch a glimpse of yourself in a new life and say, 'Wow, I look much happier - I think this is the life I need to get!" Take it to the counter, ring it up, put it on your credit card” (65).
Even though many elements of the novel were spectacular, there
were a few things I didn’t like. I could’ve done without the offensive and
profane language used by all the characters. I’m not a huge fan of choice words, so in this novel, I didn’t think those words enhanced the novel; I think they actually took away from it. Another thing I didn’t necessarily like was that I enjoyed reading one of the Will Graysons’ chapters more than the other. I think the gay Will Grayson was more interesting because he actually had things going on in his life such as relationships, whereas the straight Will Grayson just kept fighting with Tiny Cooper.
Overall, I would recommend this book a friend. Besides the few
displeasing elements described, I loved this novel! Will Grayson, Will Grayson is an easy read with characters that are easily
relatable to current teenagers and what’s going on in their lives. This novel perfectly exemplifies the theme identity crisis; which is what most teens go
through at this point in their lives. If you’re having trouble discovering your
true personality or just want an interesting read – READ WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON!!