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An Abundance of Katherines
- By John Green
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Comic slacker-geek lit is fun for the right teen.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this quirky novel contains some mature content, such as swearing and references to sex, orgasms, and oral sex. While less graphic than many young adult books, the book has some mature themes, including the reality of teens facing their anxieties and fears as they grow up.
What's the story?
Colin is a former child prodigy who has just graduated from high school as valedictorian -- and just been dumped by the 19th girl he has dated named Katherine (well, eighteenth really, one of them dumped him twice). He is in a deep funk, worried that all of his early promise will add up to nothing, and that his talents, for absorbing knowledge, working hard, languages, trivia, and anagrams, aren't really of any use in the real world. When his best friend, Hassan, a genial if lazy lout, decides Colin needs a road trip, they soon wash up in Gutshot, Tennessee where they get a job recording oral histories from the town's residents. While there Colin works on what he sees as his last shot at mattering: a mathematical formula to predict the course of romantic relationships, The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability.
Is it any good?
This delightful exercise in geek-chic hums along on the strength of three central characters who have not only failed to live up to their potential, but also have no clue as to what their potential is. There's no real plot to speak of, no action except for one fight, and reading it assumes at least a tolerance of, if not interest in, the things that interest Colin -- and the author. And even fans may be disappointed by the flat-footed finale, in which Colin's rather obvious and
trite revelations and epiphanies are expounded at too-great length. Ultimately, though, bright kids who like intriguing characters and intellectual play will find this book lots of fun. And all teens will certainly relate to the anxieties and fears of these young adults
about to embark on the greatest adventure of their lives -- adulthood.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about road trip stories. Can you think of any other books -- or even movies -- that feature teens or young adults hitting the road in search of themselves? Why do these stories resonate well with Americans? Why do they make for good stories?
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Kid, 12 years old
June 7, 2009
AGE
Okay...
An Abundance of Katherines had a good story line I guess, but was pretty boring. I couldn't really stay with it at some parts.
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AGE
Intellectual Tour-de-force for Mature Teens
Colin -- oh, narcissistic, relatable, somehow-dated-nineteen-girls-to-my-mother's-chagrin Colin. He manages to churn out an equation which actually works (no lie, I tried it twice), has an awesome Arab friend (how is that bad for the message? discrimination, CSM), and knows a lot of the same obscure, awesome stuff I do, only more of it. For a teenager who can take the profanity (for there's lots) and raciness (there's even more of that) without giggling and appreciate the crowning, glorious apothesis of Katherine the Great midway through the book (not to mention anagrams), you'll pick this up and love it to death in one delicious afternoon like I did.
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AGE
(:
I loved it. Usually, I do N0T read, like at all. But with this book, I just wouldn't put it down! I'd read til like 3am sometimes during the summer, Iknow..Loser. haha, well Its like aREAL good book for a teenager.
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AGE
Hilariously nerdy and awesome.
Oh, how I love John Green's books. This, I would say, is more of a 'light' book than Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns- not too much meaningful and thought-provoking insights, although there are admittedly some. But mostly, it's just really gut-bustingly witty and entertaining. There is math involved, but it's not exactly necessary to 'get it' in order to 'get' the book. And yes, there is a fair amount of swearing, but kids 12 and up hear plenty of it, believe me. Haha. Anyway, this is a fantastic book, I finished it in one day. Read it!
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AGE
Awesome read
An Abundance of Katherines is an amazing book. There isn't really alot of sexual reference as everone else seems to think. They don't really swear much because they say "fug" instead of.. well.. you know. It's a great book for anyone at least 13 or older. Under 13 might not understand some parts
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AGE
Totally Awesome.
I love John Green and everything he writes is pure genious. That doesn't differ in "An Abundance of Katherines." It not only has a variety of languages and math, due to the fact the the main characters are pretty intellegent, but also features wit and humor in this amazing story.
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AGE
Love it, Read it!
If you have any interest at all in math, you will LOVE this book.
Even if you hate math (like me), I think you'll love it anyway! Basically it's about a grown up child prodigy who always seems to date girls by the name of "Katherine". He tries to come up with a way to predict the pattern of a relationship.
It's so interesting, and since it's a John Green book, definitely has its fair share of quirk :).
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AGE
John Green is 'da man'
John Green never disappoints. This story is just another shining example the incredible stories a brilliant mind can create. I must admit that, while this is not his best work, (Nothing can beat "Paper Towns") it is still one of the best reads of the year for me.
I strongly recommend this read.
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AGE
Funny & Engaging
"An Abundance of Katherines" is a funny, funny book. I loved the characters; they were relatable, interesting, and three-dimensional. The content of the book stays well within what any normal teen has been exposed to. The occasional sexual joke or cuss is uttered, but for the most part, there's not much questionable in here.
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| Author: | John Green |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Dutton Children's Books |
| Publication date: | September 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 228 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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