Why Paper Towns is the Best Perception vs. Reality Novel

The first time I read John Green’s Paper Towns, I was instantly hooked and captivated. I finished it in less than a week and could not believe how much it had impacted me. I found myself relating so often to the things the characters went through or said, and I dare say it has changed me forever. I am afraid to read other books because I fear they will not impact me as much as Paper Towns did. There is so much to say about this masterpiece of a young adult novel; so please allow me to formally introduce you to it. 

The premise sets us in Orlando, Florida, home to Quentin (or "Q") Jacobsen, a very shy and unpopular guy. His parents are both psychologists, thus he has a very positive outlook on life. Margo Roth Spiegelman, his mysterious and captivating neighbor, is the other side of the coin. She is the school's token “pretty girl” who skips school to go on road trips and hangs out backstage after concerts. She also tends to flee. When Q believes she has truly vanished, he is desperate to find her. 

Three sections—or more precisely, three journeys—make up Paper Towns. In the first, The Strings, Margo asks Q for assistance in getting back at those who have wronged her. They spend a whole night playing pranks and sneaking into SeaWorld. The next morning, Margo disappears. In the second, The Grass, Q uses hints he believes Margo left behind to guide him in searching for her. This part moves slowly and analytically. In the third part, The Vessel, Q and his friends Ben, Radar, and Lacey embark on a road trip using the brand-new minivan his parents gifted him. The entire book is full of humor, and I can see that John Green had a very fun time writing it. But this last part in particular is incredibly hilarious, with the road trip theme enhancing the story significantly. All of the situations Q and his friends go through make this chapter truly remarkable. 

The concept of identity in this book was, in my opinion, its strongest point. The book focuses on how each character perceives Margo differently until they eventually realize the reality: that she is just like them. I would like to specifically highlight Q in this aspect. He interacted with Margo a few times during his childhood and became utterly obsessed with her. Since Margo is not constantly present in his life, he has created an insanely idealized image of her in his mind, building her as perfect for him. He has lived all his life imagining her as his dream girl by using this perception he invented of her. After she vanishes and he has to follow the clues to find her, he then realizes the harsh reality: that Margo is just a normal girl who is tired of having to live out the perception everyone has of her and wants to free herself from this persona she has created, which is why she decides to flee. We get to see Q maturing and accepting that it is dangerous to create two-dimensional ideas of people while at the same time also realizing that it can be scary and hard for a person to allow themselves to be seen as a complex or interesting being. When the book ended, at first, I was selfishly sad that Margo did not leave with Q, but

then I realized that this is not a love story. There is no happily ever after. Margo had to leave Orlando in order to keep her sanity. She had to get rid of the paper towns so she could start all over again, being her true self. 

Another one of the best aspects of the book is the characters and how well-written they are. They truly complete the story and make it unique. Ben and Radar, Q’s best friends, are my favorites. Ben, with his unhinged humor, is a standout. His often inappropriate and unrestrained jokes provide much-needed comic relief, especially during tense moments. Despite his humorous exterior, Ben is an extremely loyal friend to Q. His loyalty is clearly demonstrated when he joins Q's search for Margo, even at the cost of his own comfort and time. Radar, on the other hand, is known for his intelligence and analytical nature, with his sarcastic comments adding another layer of wit to the narrative. He provides a more grounded and rational perspective to the group, balancing Q's determination and Ben's humor. While reading the third section, I couldn't help but wish I could go on a road trip with Ben and Radar, experiencing all the hilarious situations they would put us through. They are amazing friends, provide incredible comedic relief, and are just brilliantly created characters overall. 

To sum up, in Paper Towns, John Green explores an important teenage question—what separates the persona we present to the world from our true selves, and the perception we have of others versus the reality of who they are. Using his distinctive style, he blends comedy, raw honesty, and eccentric characters to craft a story that is both entertaining and enlightening. I urge everyone not only to read this book but also to contemplate its message deeply. It offers a new perspective on life and identity that can deeply influence how we see life, ourselves, and those around us.