Looking for Alaska Booktalk

I finished Alaska a few days ago, but my brain is still contemplating the mystery that is that book. I loved the story, fast-paced and thought-provoking and very, very fun. Each of the characters felt so tangible, as if they really did go to Culver Creek boarding school and live their lives. Anyways, this book was incredible, and I highly suggest you read it.

<SPOILER ALERT>

Everything was so well done. After I finished reading the story, I was caught up in a wave of thoughts and emotions and the need for more, possibly even a whole second story. But then I remembered that Alaska is a mystery, and if I learned exactly what she was thinking when she died and who she really loved, the mystery of Alaska would unravel, and I would be left feeling disappointed. What Alaska represents is the mystery of life and the labyrinth, so we can never truly know if she went "straight and fast" at the last second on purpose or not, or what her last words were (if she had any). It's what keeps churning up these thoughts and ideas, and to be honest, it is the whole center of the story. Characters have an arc because of her; they drift apart and come together and understand. So maybe, like the Colonel, I choose the labyrinth, because it's so unexplored and we need to truly experience it to become what we must be, to utter our last words so to speak.

The ending, with the plot twist where Takumi knew all along what had happened before Alaska died, came as a total surprise, and made me even more enticed with Takumi's character (I'll get to him and the others in a minute). The little note that Miles wrote truly gave him what I call a "final arc", what truly reflects the book's purpose and meaning, wrapping it up in an incredibly heart-wrenching (albeit well-written) way.

Let's talk characters. I liked Miles Halter, and I felt like he grew up as the novel continued. He was quite weak-willed and a follower, hoping to find his Great Perhaps, but I suppose he does represent so many teenagers out there (including me), so I enjoyed seeing the world from his slightly morphed mindset. Next up is Alaska. I loved her as a character, but if I knew her in real life, I probably wouldn't think very highly of her (at least at first glance). She is so complex that we haven't even uncovered what she truly wants and feels in a novel about her. All in all, her death set in motion a series of incredible events, and I think though that her passing was horrible, it was necessary in a sense. Lara was a very open book, sweet and caring and honestly, a little too forgiving. Her and Miles just weren't meant to be, but they did make a good friendship, and by the end of the novel, I think they finally understood each other. I actually really enjoyed mentions of Takumi, the Colonel, and the Eagle. First, I will discuss the Eagle. He really did want the best for his students, and I didn't see his punishments as anything but fair. His bond with Alaska and her classmates broke my heart, and I just hope he had forgiven Alaska and himself for her death. Takumi was a mystery in a different sense. He seemed quite quiet, but he still had an interesting personality, quirky and bold when he needed to be. His rap battles with everyone else was the best thing ever. He seemed to be the third (or fourth if you want to be technical) wheel, not really invited to hang out with Miles and Alaska and the Colonel most of the time, and you could sense his struggling. In that way, I felt a connection to him. "Because no one can catch the motherfucking fox" is now what I want as my senior quote (and totally out of context.) Finally, there's the Colonel. I love him because he is so noble and kind and such a good friend. He's the steady rock and the glue that holds the friendship together. Alaska and him had such an interesting friendship, and I love him so much. Some of his best moments include him describing his best day (it's in the future, and he buys his mother a house) and when he heard that Alaska dies (those screams broke my heart).

Anyways, I've been rambling on incoherently for a while now. Go read this book if you haven't, and talk to me about it if you have. Love you all!