Novel Critique: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

A critique on a collaborative novel of awesome proportions… Will Grayson, Will Grayson One winter night in Chicago, two teenage boys named Will Grayson met by chance in an adult entertainment shop. They were both juniors in high school but they live in different suburbs. The book is told through alternating chapters between the two Will Graysons with John Green writing one and David Levithan the next. Their styles of writing are similar yet different enough which did not make it seem repetitive. John Green’s Will Grayson was written in normal type while David Levithan’s was written in all lowercase, which made the story more interesting. John Green’s Will Grayson believes that all problems and pains in life could be avoided by keeping quiet and not caring. Tiny Cooper, his best friend, is a proof of what heartache can do. Tiny is always in love with different boys and always have his heart broken. Tiny Cooper was a very perfect addition to the story. Him being John’s Will’s best friend and him meeting David’s Will and then them having a thing for each other, really helped the two Will Graysons in figuring out who they are. On the other hand, David Levithan’s Will Grayson is very anxious and does not have any real friends, except for a boy online who he’s in love with. When the two Will Graysons finally met, it seems like it is the most random thing that has ever happened. Though they only interacted a bit, when they did it was both so awkward and at the same time comfortable. The fact that meeting each other reminded
“It’s hard to believe in coincidence but it’s even harder to believe in anything else.” them that just because they are both named Will Grayson does not mean their names define them, and that there are tons of people with the same out in the world, too. John Green’s Will Grayson does not want too much attention drawn to him, which did not exactly work for his best friend, Tiny Cooper. Tiny Cooper, his quest to make the world better though his musical and his and Will’s friendship is really just wonderful. David Levithan’s Will Grayson is angry and sarcastic but as the story progresses, readers would get to see the different sides of him. Also, he did not fit into any typical stereotype of a gay teen. In fact, in the conversation between the authors found at the end of the book, it is very interesting how David Levithan explained how he wanted his Will Grayson to be in the middle of things and also explained that Will writes in all lowercase because he sees himself as a lowercase person. The book blatantly attacks a lot of issues in the modern teenage world, and a lot of it is actually very harsh. At some points, it could be a little bit uncomfortable but it is the authors’ willingness to speak the truth. In a winter full of love, fake IDs, weird band names, two Will Graysons, and an epic musical about love and all the things about Tiny Cooper – Will Grayson, Will Grayson is really a hilarious novel about things that we cannot choose. While some humorous books are just humorous, Will Grayson, Will Grayson also touches on bigger issues that are relevant especially to teenagers nowadays.
Image from: http://willgraysonwillgrayson.tumblr.com/mctyn6IKhe1qzdy2vo1_500/