Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
I’ve never reviewed an audiobook before so this is exciting! I decided that I was going to get more into audiobooks since so many of my favorite bloggers swear by them. I have done ONE audiobook before (This Much I Know Is True by Wally Lamb) so I’m certainly no veteren when it comes to the audiobook scene. I am officially a fan after this one!
Let’s just talk about how entertaining this was on audio! I always fear that audiobooks won’t hold my attention but this certainly did. I would advise on NOT listening to this out loud while you are around people that might not want to hear all sorts of swears and some sexual references and jokes. I also would not advise listening to this while you should be working as it may induce the giggles as this book is HILARIOUS and the narrators have the most perfect inflections that really give it that hilarity. I really enjoyed the narrators of this one. They really made it for me. It was easy to follow and they really got into their characters — no monotony here! It switches back and forth between the two Will Grayson’s and I thought it was easy to follow.
I think my only gripe was that sometimes with the one Will Grayson it was hard to follow because it seemed to be in email or IM form a lot of the times because he was IMing but also with the dialogue. I’m not sure how this looks in the book but it was a tad hard to follow but enough that it lost me. I would highly recommend this as an audiobook to people who love contemporary YA and are unsure if an audiobook will hold their attention. This certainly will as the narrators are really quite fantastic and the story is a good pace on audio. Not too much introspection that it loses you because you feel it isn’t moving anywhere but rather has the perfect blend of action and dialogue and comical thoughts.
Oh dear. Where do I even begin? Let’s start with Tiny Cooper! Never in my life have a read a more dynamic character. It’s funny because he isn’t even one of the narrators yet he steals the show and is what I think of most about this novel. Sure he could be selfish and an ass sometimes but, seriously, Tiny Cooper resonated with me for some reason. I think I admired his confidence and optimism but appreciated that he was REAL — selfish, blinded by his own wants but mostly because in his confidence there is still that fraility of being human and being aware of what we lack and what makes us different. He just balanced that well and I thought him to be a great character. I liked the Will Grayson’s well enough but Tiny made the story for me. Really all the characters came alive — from Mona to Gideon.
This could quite possibly be one of the funniest contemporary novels I’ve ever read — YA or adult. It seemed like every sentence – whether it be a description, dialogue or a vagrant thought — always seemed to be so vivid and alive; peppered with wit and hilarity and TRUTH. Whether the passages were just hilarious or thought-provoking, I was always wishing I could mentally highlight passages every so few pages. (Downfall of listening to this rather than reading it!). I mean, the descriptions of the simplest things were brilliant — like talking about how Tiny Cooper fits in a desk! I’m not normally one to just drop a punch of quotes in a review but this book needs to speak for itself:
“I have a friend request from some stranger on facebook and I delete it without looking at the profile because that doesn’t seem natural. ‘Cause friendship should not be as easy as that. It’s like people believe all you need to do is like the same bands in order to be soulmates. Or books. omg… U like the outsiders 2… it’s like we’re the same person! No we’re not. It’s like we have the same English teacher. There’s a difference.”
My Final Thought: I’ve already been a fan of David Levithan but now I’m even more excited to read the John Green books sitting on my shelf. This book was highly entertaining yet was thought-provoking. The Will Grayson’s and Tiny are people who I wouldn’t think I’d have anything in common with but the barest of human emotions and young adulthood will resonate with you as these characters grapple with love and relationships and what it means to truly be yourself. David Levithan and John Green are a fantastic duo and I beg of them to keep collaborating! Definitely recommend this as an audiobook as well. Sure made my commute a lot less rage inducing.
Vagrant Yet Valid Thought: Before I had ever heard of this book I wanted to name my future male child William Grayson.
Have you read this book? What did you think? Also, which John Green book should I read first? I own pretty much all of them but I’ve just never read them!
Jessica ( frellathon ) says
Great interview and good to know as I won this in audio book format a while back and have been hesitant to listen as I've never listed to an audio book. It's nice to read that it'd a good one.
Tahleen says
I started listening to this on audio but didn't like the narrator. Not sure why, since so many people love the audio version.
You should read Paper Towns. It is by far my favorite. THAT audiobook is PURE GOLD. I've listened to it and read it.
I like Looking for Alaska, but not as much, despite its Printz Award. I still have to read An Abundance of Katherines, and I've pre-ordered A Fault in Our Stars. Looking forward to it. 🙂
Asheley (@BookwormAsheley) says
I have a BURNING love for John Green's books and am a Nerdfighter for life…probably the oldest Nerdfighter out there. That being said, this book is the first I had ever read of Levithan's. I read the actual book, but you have me intrigued about the audiobook, because my paper copy never SANG to me!
Tiny Cooper is amazing. All of these characters are incredible, well-developed, fleshed out…whatever you want to call them. But Tiny is awesome. This is YA contemp at its finest. I'm SO SO SO glad you liked it. And that cover? Puh-leez, girl, I'm in love.
As for John Green, it sort of sounds here like you haven't read any of his other stuff? Please verify this for me. Because if this is true, it must be rectified STAT. Paper Towns is my favorite…there are so many one-liners that you can quote over and over again in life and they just FIT. Also, with John Green, he has a target audience (YA) and I get that, but being the age I am and having already gone through lots of the stuff he writes about, his books mean something different to me than they do to his target audience (at least I think they do) – so I feel like I can sort of appreciate them in a different way.
I'm serious, he is my FAVORITE. And I'm ecstatic that you loved this book. And now I need to find the audio for a re-read.
As always, I LOVE your thoughts!!
Estelle says
This is another book that I've been recommending to people like crazy. I was surprised how much I loved it. Actually the person who read it before me also loved it because he underlined a lot of very good lines in the library book. haha. I can see how it might be weird to listen to "IM" conversations on an audiobook. I still have yet to try one, but it's on my list of things to do. Thanks for reminding me how much I love this book! I actually have it sitting next to me so I can mail it to Magan to read.
Melissa (Avid Reader) says
This is a great one, but you must read more John Green! Paper Towns and Looking for Alaska would be good places to start. I do think you'd love him.
Jamie says
Jessica — It will be a great one to start off with! This coming from someone whose only listened to one other audiobook in my life!
Tahleen– Aww that's so funny because I adored the narrators! I am defnitely going to look at those JG ones in audio!
Asheley- I LOVE YOU! HAHA. Tis true..I haven't read JG other than Let It Snow and this. I OWN like 3 or 4 of his books thought. Hah. Must get to it NOWWW. Thanks for your awesome comment!! I hope I can become a Nerdfighter along with you! <3
Estelle – We have so many book loves in common!! But defnitely give audiobooks a chance. I was reluctant but I AM IN LOVE.
Melissa – I own both of those! YAY! Will make sure those are the first I read from him!
Farrah Penn says
OMGOMGOMG I LOVED THIS AUDIOBOOK TOO! It was so freaking good. The personalities just SHONE! And I agree with you about the play part. Otherwise, I freaking loved it! Especially John Greens Will Grayson. Tiny Cooper=loooove
Jamie says
YAY OMG! I'm SO glad you liked this audiobook too! SO GOOOOD. I was just dying the whole time!! TINY COOPER FOREVER!! <333 Thanks for your comment. It makes me excited when someone else is just as excited about a book as ME!!
Caro says
It sounds really really good. The facebook request quote was hilarious and so damn true.
Jamie says
Caro- Haha I know right? I died laughing because it IS so true!
Magan says
YAY! So glad you loved it! Estelle is mailing this one to me! I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT! I swear, my list keeps growing exponentially. Not enough time to read everything I want to.
Ashley says
I SO need to read this! I've been super excited about it since I first heard about it and I own a copy but haven't read it yet. Although, now, I'm thinking that I need to read it ASAP both because it sounds even MORE awesome now AND so that I can then listen to it on audio. I'm very much a newbie to audio & not quite brave enough to try it for books I haven't already read but I'll definitely have to remember how much you love the audio for this one and try it!
April (BooksandWine) says
TINY COOPER ILYFOREVA!!!
Oh my goodness. I love this freakin' book. And I love that you love it. And now I want to relisten to it on audio. AND YAY YOU ARE GOING TO READ MORE JOHN GREEN! AND CAPSLOCK CAPSLOCK CAPSLOCK, just expresses my feelings best right now.
YAY!!!
We Fancy Books says
Nothing but good things a bout this book. I really need to read this book soon.
Jay @ We Fancy Books