Tag: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

John Green – Turtles All the Way Down | Review

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 288

Rating: 4*/5

 

John Green - Turtles All the Way Down

John Green – Turtles All the Way Down

 

To a certain extent, I already knew what I was getting into here. John Green’s writing feels a little more mature to me now, and that’s a good thing, but if you’ve read one of his books before then you’ll instantly slide back into his writing style. The characters are much the same as his characters usually are, too.

But we do get the anxiety and OCD representation from Aza which I found relatable, for the most part, although a lot of the things that she did annoyed me. But then that happens with most of his characters. I’m a little too old to fit the target market, but I do still think he’s a pretty good writer. He did a great job here of showing what it’s like to have intrusive thoughts, but I would have liked to have seen a little more of the murder mystery. Just like pretty much everyone else I’ve talked to.

On the whole, the dialogue and the narrative itself are pretty well handled here, and there are some great one-liners and intriguing ideas about life, the universe and everything. On the other hand, at one point he wrote “she said, askingly” and it made me want to vomit. I’m not sold on that even being a word but if it is, it’s a bad one. He could have just said “she asked”.

All in all though, this was a pretty good read. Overhyped perhaps, but that was always going to be the case. It’s certainly not a bad book, and I was impressed. I enjoyed it.

 

John Green

John Green

 

Click here to buy Turtles All the Way Down.


Nathan O’Hagan – The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place | Review

Title: The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place

Author: Nathan O’Hagan

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 186

Rating: 9/10

 

Nathan O'Hagan - The World is [Not] a Cold Dead PlaceNathan O'Hagan - The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place

Nathan O’Hagan – The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place

 

Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.

Ha! I kind of knew I was going to like this book just from the title, and it didn’t disappoint me. It’s an interesting read, the fictionalised account of a young man with social anxiety issues and obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as an overall hatred towards the world. This isn’t the type of book that leans heavily on the story line – in fact, it almost reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye, thanks to its antisocial protagonist and narrator and the fact that the plot almost takes second place.

For what it’s worth, it follows Gary Lennon through his psychiatry sessions and his subsequent rehabilitation into society, with disastrous and entertaining consequences. Other than that, I can’t say too much, but I’d recommend this one and so you should check it out yourself! The world is alright.

 

Nathan O'Hagan

Nathan O’Hagan

 

Click here to buy The World is [Not] a Cold Dead Place.