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Turtles All the Way down

With four books topping the New York Times best seller list, including The Fault in our Stars and Paper Towns, John Green has established himself as an author for the ages. His newest novel, Turtles All the Way Down has sold over 23 million copies since its release on Oct. 10, 2017.

Turtles All the Way Down|
Photo courtesy of goodreads 

Turtles All the Way Down is a captivating read that follows an interesting sixteen year old named Aza and her struggles in learning to live with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). All the while her and Daisy, the fearless and admirable best friend, pursue a missing billionaire for a substantial amount of prize money from the authorities.

While the story itself describes a not-so-average teenager, intense obsessive behavior, and a praiseworthy love story, a deeper meaning is woven into the book.

Turtles delivers a lesson that we so desperately need right now: Yes, it is okay not to be okay.” Mashable, an entertainment company, said. “John Green has crafted a dynamic novel that is deeply honest, sometimes painful, and always thoughtful, delivered with the characteristic charm the author is known for.” Green has been extremely open about his struggles with mental illnesses such as OCD. and depression, although writing about it is not easy, he claims that he tries to accurately portray the illnesses and has proven himself able.

John Green books| Photo courtesy of Cavalier House Books

“The big challenge for me in Turtles All the Way Down was whether I could use language to find some sort of direct form or expression for obsessive thoughts, rather than only relying on metaphor,” Green said. “I wanted to try to give readers not only a sense of what OCD is like but maybe at least a glimpse into what it is. Which is a profoundly non-visual thing.”

Due to Green’s success with his new book, he has recently announced via a Youtube video

John green| Photo courtesy of
Penguin Random House

that he has teamed with Fox for a film adaptation of Turtles All the Way Down. Two of Green’s previous novels, Paper Town and The Fault in Our Stars, already have their own blockbuster movie adaptations, although they both received mixed reviews from fans.

While Fox and Green have come together for the new adaptation it is not a guarantee the  movie will be made. With this adaptation in the works, the book’s many important aspects may be inaccurately portrayed along with the mental health issues being minimized.

“We’re gonna give it a try, That doesn’t mean there will definitely be a movie, but it means that there might be one,” Green said. “I’m really excited

for the opportunity, and also the challenge, of the Turtles All the Way Down movie, and I hope you’re excited, too.”

John Green has created an extraordinary piece accurately portraying the mental illnesses represented through Turtles All the Way Down. Within the book it conveys what a person with OCD struggles with on daily basis. Along with ultimately teaching the reader that everyone has problems. Green also shows that those struggled do not equate to weakness but rather strength to overcome them.

 

 

Written by Lauren Bratcher

Lauren Bratcher is a sophmore staff writer for the MC Sun. She is an avid support for equal rights alongside a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community.

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