‘I might be fictional’, this is how Aza Holmes invites readers to her thought process, explaining that ‘your life is a story told about you, not one that you tell.’ At the outset of turtles all the way down, readers are introduced to the OCD that plagues our main protagonist.
Aza Holmes
The novel is about the everyday struggles of Aza, and Green beautifully and vividly brings up to life the thought process going inside her brain. What follows is a ‘deep spiral’ in her brain for readers to descend into and understand her everyday plights.
Set in Indianapolis, Turtles All The Way Down is about friendships, relationships, traumas and everyday struggles of a seemingly normal life. Overall it’s about life and various shades of it.
The bounty hunt motivating Aza and Daisy for the novel’s first part seems unconvincing to the reviewer. As Daisy is impulsive, but Aza is such a complex character, her immediate acceptance and assistance seems simplistic and doesn’t fit well in her character.
I’m sure it is from inside your head
The plot introduces us to another strong character Davis, who is equally complex in his way, but his character isn’t that strongly developed as our lead protagonist. Some more character development for Davis was desirable, but then turtles all the way down is about Aza and her struggles. Their blooming romance seems cute and heartwarming in its way, and the way it developed makes readers appreciate that ‘love is not a tragedy or a failure, but a gift.’
Green has highlighted the lack of social awareness and acceptance surrounding such complex issues relating to mental health that may seem ordinary to the outside. The issue at hand is so intrinsically complex that even Daisy(best friend of Aza), who has been throughout with her, at one point bursts, saying, ”You think it’s hard for you and I’m sure it is from inside your head.”
Turtles All The Way Down
For those wondering about the unique title of the novel, calm your worries. It is aptly explained in a chapter, not worth highlighting here. Turtles All The Way Down is about celebrating life because “In real life, some things get better and some things get worse.”
The readers will enjoy reading this one, as it’s a roller coaster ride into the intensely complex thought process of Aza Holmes and her journey together with other loveable characters. While you’re there, enjoy your ride.
Reviewed on:
- Hardbound
- Total pages: 286
- Genre: Young Adult Fiction
- Turtles All The Way Down – John Green
