An Abundance of Katherines (by John Green)
common sense media says
Comic slacker-geek lit is fun for the right teen.
parents & educators say
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
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.
Educational value:
These is lots of intellectual play in this novel, and the appendix includes an explanation of the math behind The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability.
Positive role models:
Even teens who don't relate to Colin's feelings of being a failed prodigy will understand anxieties about growing up and his quest for a "Eureka" moment.
Violence:
A rather nasty fistfight.
Sex:
None described, but some hinted at; references to orgasm and oral sex, making out.
Language:
Plenty of four-letter words, various euphemisms for the male organ.
Consumerism:
Fast food restaurants, Nicorette.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Beer drinking, chewing tobacco.
More on An Abundance of Katherines
Review It
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
- 33% say it's educational
Most useful reviews by all members
writergirl100
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
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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1angelette
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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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Manderzz
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
(:
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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ohmyitskai
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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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nerdglasses
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
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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hollylujah
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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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kay_rayb
adult
adult
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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Freet
adult
adult
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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bookworm96
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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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moviemadness
adult
adult
Iffy...
An interesting book about a teen "genius" and his best friend. The language was terrible, and a boy witnesses his girlfriend having sex with another boy. Altogether, it was a great story about finding yourself.
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xaltrockgirlx
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Quite Adorkable
This novel doesn't get as much love as Green's other books, but I thought it was quite hilarious. I loved the footnotes, which were both entertaining and educational. I really must try out the Theorem to see if it truly works. There are a few punches thrown around, but it's really not that bad. Sex isn't mentioned as much as his other books, but in one scene, it's fairly clear what's going on between two secondary characters. Other than that, it's mostly mild talk and some making out, no big deal. The language... well, as I have mentioned for his other books, his characters tend to curse a lot. In this book, at least, there is only one F-bomb because the two main characters use the word "fug" instead. The companies mentioned are mostly fast food restaurants, like the CSM review said. There is beer drinking, but the CSM reviewer forgot to mention at one point, two of the teen characters drink moonshine, which is illegal for anyone, even if it is easy to get. Still, this novel is not as graphic as many teen novels are these days, and these negative elements are thrown in with a purpose, to develop plot. Overall, this was a really smart and funny story that anyone who thinks of themselves as a nerd/dork/geek should definitely read.
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