Blog post 3: An Abundance of Katherines: A Mid-Novel Reflection

I am halfway through John Green's Katherines and I am still deciding how I feel about the novel. Admittedly, it is probably my least-favorite novel of his; however, my least favorite John Green book still rises above plenty of others, and I hope that's a testament to his talent. The one thing I can say I do really enjoy about the book is the overall theme of wanting to matter and to be loved; that is universal. However, there are two reasons that I have come up with as to why this novel is less inspiring than his more popular (and incredibly amazing) novels:

1. This novel revolves around a character who is obsessed with a Theorem that has plenty of math in it. I love you, John Green, but my hatred for math parallels my fascination with your books. The other thing about the main character, Colin, is that he's slightly annoying (although John Green does manage to make me like him enough to read the book). His obsession with Katherines and the Theorem and the way he clings to anyone who gives him the time of day is a bit obnoxious; but, given his prodigious upbringing, I can't blame him.

2. Unlike, for example, Green's The Fault in Our Stars, this novel doesn't get to the "romance" part until over halfway through the book. I'm exactly halfway now and it is only just becoming apparent that Lindsey likes Colin. I'm not saying a book needs to have the characters professing their love for each other on every page - because that's also obnoxious. However, in TFiOS, Hazel and Augustus meet in the second chapter, and it is their conversations within their relationship that makes it so strong, so envied by others. Even though (SPOILER) their relationship is forced to end, it is so strong throughout the middle of the book that come the final chapters sans-Augustus, readers are left with a heartache they never thought they'd experience through a novel. That kind of relationship doesn't exist in AAoK, and even if it will in the coming pages, it took far too long for it to emerge. Of course, this is in part because Lindsey has a boyfriend; but that issue could have been resolved quickly. And so, John Green, I am predicting that I will be able to say that I liked your novel, but it did not endlessly fascinate me like LFA and TFiOS. You're still my spirit animal, though.