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 both legions of faithful fans.
John Green and David Levithan are both amazing with character development. They create larger then life characters that literally jump off the page. Sometimes the characters are so over the top though it's almost hard to imagine them. I think with these two authors you never know if it'll be just perfect or just a bit too much. But in this book, this book they did perfect! Yeah, it was a fine line, Tiny was almost too much, but not quite. And both of the Will Graysons were pretty perfect. I didn't think I'd like the one but he grew on me and while neither are my most favorite male characters ever, they were both enjoyable for me to read about and they both had considerable character growth through the novel.
There's a pretty strong GLBT theme in this one. One Will Grayson is straight but he's best friends with Tiny {who is huge} and he is flamboyantly gay and not one bit shy about it. Now I don't want to give anything away because it's just too fun to watch it unfold as you read, but there is romance in this book for all the characters. Some are boys who like boys, some are boys who like girls. If you're uncomfortable with GLBT I definitely wouldn't recommend this book. I also don't know that it would be the perfect book for those new to GLBT themed books, but I might be wrong there. If you like John Green and David Levithan you already have an idea that this book is going to be crazy but I can tell you that I don't think you'll be disappointed. I know I enjoyed it.
I give this one 4/5 stars.
I've had this one on my list for forever it seems and I really need to make time to read it! It sounds like it has really strong characters, and since they're my favorite part of any book and the whole reason I love to read, I think I'd really enjoy this one. Thanks for the review Candace!
ReplyDeletedeff need to read this one! I've never actually read anything by him!
ReplyDeletehere's my review of the alchemy of forever, releasing in january. stop by?!?!
http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/arc-review-alchemy-of-forever.html
I really did laugh out loud reading this.
ReplyDeleteAmy @ www.bookgoonie.com
I've had this one on my TBR FOREVER!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have never read a book by either author, I know I must live under a rock. I also have never read a GLBT book so I'm a little in the dark here.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound good and I like that you enjoyed the characters even though they were very close to being over the top. I will have to add this one to my wish list because now I'm curious as to what happens!
Thanks for the great review.
Ooh. I was recommended this one a few months ago but never really looked into it until now. It sounds awesome!! Must check it out!
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
I love John Green and have been meaning to read this one. Great review of it to tempt me! Might have to pick it up!
ReplyDeleteHeather
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ReplyDeleteI met David Levithan this month at Y'all fest and he says that is going to try and write the musical this summer. HA!
ReplyDeletewww.mysticbooklover.blogspot.com
Is it sad that I've never read anything by David Levithan? This book sounds so good! Plus, I've never really read a book with a lgbt theme. I'll have to pick it up soon!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the flamboyant Wil but couldn't get into the mind of the other Wil. And the writing style killed all my enjoyment of him, too (The everything lower case style. I guess that's the snooty English teacher coming out in me! Though I seem to have no problem with fragments...).
ReplyDeleteLOVED this book. One of my favorite of 2010.
ReplyDelete(@Mary - A Flamboyant Will? I don't recall either of the Will's being flamboyant - maybe you're thinking of Tiny?).
I am typically put-off by characters/people like Tiny, but he was written well and just over-the-top enough to be obnoxiously realistic. It all comes together well in the end, too, and the "other" Will's story, to me, was important - I'm glad they tackled so many real life issues in this one. As they always do. :)
Mary,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you got Tiny and Will confused (I know I read so much that things kind of blend together). But I do know what you mean about the writing for the one, the lower case writing was hard for me to get use to, but once I read it for a bit I stopped noticing it.
Adam,
I really liked that so many issues were tackled in this one as well.
For everyone,
I don't think this is a book for everyone. It's one that I would find it hard to recommend because I just don't really know who would enjoy it. Some would find the characters ridiculous and the story line over the top. Others would find it wonderfully realistic. It's just one of those books... luckily I really liked it.
Loved this one! (of course!) You really can't go wrong with David Levithan and John Green.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite books of 2011. I love it. I even gave it to my 16yr old son. I hope it inspires tolerance and great discussions.
ReplyDeleteI SO need to read this one!! I have a copy of it but haven't had a chance to read it yet! It's one I've been wanting to read for a long time! I'm going to need to make this one a priority! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is necessary not a good book for people who haven't read LGBT books before. I don't think I had read many (if any) LGBT books prior to reading this one and I had no problems with it. I'm also very open to reading almost anything, so I supposed that could be part of it; and I adore David Levithan and John Green, so I guess that contributed too.
ReplyDeleteEither way, Will Grayson, Will Grayson was one of my favorite reads from last year.
http://lorxiebookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/will-grayson-will-grayson-by-john-green.html you have an awesome review, have a nice day!
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