One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.
Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.
Review:
When you combine two rock star authors like John Green and David Levithan together you start to get really high hopes for sure. Well, I did at least. Since, for one, I ADORE John Green's books and while I haven't read anything by David Levithan before ( I know, I'm bad) I've heard some really great things about him. And for two, the premise for this? Kick-butt! I mean, how cool would it be to meet someone with the SAME exact name as you? I think very!
So, as I began this, I had abnormally high hopes for a book that contained rock-my-socks amazingness, and while it did live somewhat up to my expectations, I have to say that I was just a wee bit disappointed. Because quite honestly, I've read better books than Will Grayson, Will Grayson this year (cue sad face). Though don't get me wrong, it was good.
For instance I really liked the two protagonists.
Willy Grayson #1, who I'm pretty sure was written by Green, was hilarious, charming, and just out right adorable with his geekiness and his wanting to stay under the radar. Plus, his friendship with Tiny was inspiring and something that made you think of you're best friend and how lucky you are to have them.
Will Grayson #2, who was written by Levithan probably, was the darker and moodier of the two, so it did take a bit longer to warm up to him, but once you did, you couldn't help but have this wanting to tell him that he shouldn't be so hard of himself and that he was amazing even if he didn't always see it.
Though, my favorite character was Tiny, without a doubt. Because he was just an easy guy to adore and I think anyone could relate to his wanting/need to be told that he was appreciated and loved.
The plot and writing were straight forward and easy to get caught up leaving it to be very easy to get caught right up in the Will Graysons' story. But with that being said, I felt that Will Grayson, Will Grayson was missing a big bang moment that truly had you on your toes, which is the reason why this wasn't as loved by me as I thought it was going to be. Since, quite honestly, when I read a book as highly as anticipated as this one was, I want a big bang moment that makes me go WOW.
The aspect, though, that gave me gave me hope again was the messages it had of acceptance and love among many that made Will Grayson, Will Gryason to be poignant and inspiring, a book that even with it's faults, I still recommend you go out and buy because it is good. Just not fantastic.
Oh, and I think it goes without saying that I will be reading more by the amazing John Gree and some of Levithan, too!
Grade: B
Will Grayson, Will Grayson is now out!
Source: Traveling ARC Tour
I'm always afraid when I hype up a book in my head before I even read it. I don't do it on purpose, but whether I already like the author or the premise just sounds amazing etc., it happens sometimes. I've done it with WG, WG, and when I finally read it, I hope I don't end up disappointed (which would be my fault, really). Now if only the mailman would bring it to me already...
ReplyDeleteThat happens to me too. My expectations often kill the enjoyment of reading the book. Hence, I'm not trying to think of the third book in the Hunger Games series. Not thinking about it. Not thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty of not having read anything by either of these authors. D: I really like the sound of this one though and both John and David are two authors whose work I very much want to read.
ReplyDeleteI am in the same category as Michelle. I have not read anything by either author. I guess I don't then have any expectations of this book other than a lot of people want to read it. I'm still dithering. It does intrigue me...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the review--I've been looking forward to reading WG, WG ever since I heard about it. David Levithan is awesome, and I'm reading John Green's Looking for Alaska right now (totally hooked). So, even though my expectations are high, like yours were, it can't completely disappoint, right?
ReplyDeleteI've been kind of curious about this one. I hate when you have such high hopes and a book just kind of falls from that. I've never read John Green before and only one of David's books. I might give this one a try at some point.
ReplyDeleteI've heard very mixed reviews of this one. I have a copy, and am looking forward to seeing what I think!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I really enjoyed this book, but was disappointed mostly by the ending. I understand why it ended like that, but I still don't like it. Way too much open-endedness. I like my endings wrapped up in a bow, or at least with not so many threads blowing loose in the wind.
ReplyDeleteIt seems everyone likes Tiny. But I agree that the ending was a little anti-climatic.
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