Thursday, May 19, 2011

Will Grayson, Will Grayson (John Green & David Levithan)

Summary:
Will Grayson is a regular kid from a Chicago suburb that just tries to stay out of the way and keep his mouth shut. But his gigantic best friend, Tiny, is the most fabulous (*snap!*) linebacker in school. Will makes the mistake of writing a letter to the school newspaper in defense of Tiny, and actually signed it. From there, Will's world gets rocked a little more every day, as Tiny brings him deeper into Tiny's circle of friends, who are all in the Gay-Straight Alliance (including a cute girl, Jane, who may or may not be straight). Tiny decides to put on a play of his life, co-starring Will. This is wholly against Will's policy of shutting up and staying out of the public eye.

Will Grayson is a regular kid from a different Chicago suburb that is in love with an online friend, Isaac, who he messages any chance he gets. He's gay, but he tells no one, not even his only friend at school, Maura. He and Maura have a love-hate relationship that only exists because neither of them are close to anyone else.

One fateful day, Will Grayson goes with Tiny and Jane to a concert in Chicago, but it's at a 21+ only club, and Will's fake ID makes him only 20. Tiny and Jane go to the show, and an annoyed Will has time to burn before they go home again. He's determined to make use of his fake ID, so he decides to visit a porn shop across the street. On the very same day, Will Grayson and Isaac agree to meet in the city. Isaac sends Will to meet him at a porn shop in the city. And this is how Will Grayson meets Will Grayson. The story follows the Wills as they both become important parts in Tiny's life.

Thoughts:
The book is really quite incredible. It's written in alternating chapters, one following Will the First, one following Will the Second. They are two very different boys, who happened to have the same name, and who happen to both care about Tiny Cooper very much. The writing is good, and the story is so engaging, that I couldn't put it down. It's a really enjoyable read, although the ending feels a little abrupt for how the story had been playing out. But truly, it was a joy to read this book. I highly suggest it.

Book 13 of 30

Pages: 310
Genre: General fiction, teen lit
Grade: A+
Would I Recommend?: Absolutely. This book is awesome. Everyone should read it.

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