Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan **LONG POST**

Green, J., & Levithan, D. (2010). Will Grayson, Will Grayson. New York: Speak.

 First, I want to address why I chose this book to read. In our assignment, we were given a list of authors names that we were allowed to choose a book from. On this list was John Green. John Green has had a very successful writing career with tons of fans both of his written works and his vlog with his brother, Hank. The first book that I had read of his was Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances written by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. At that time, I knew nothing about John Green, in fact I believe it was a Christmas present. Then in college I was introduced to his other works in my YA literature class, specifically Looking for Alaska, and by my younger cousin who was a freshman in high school at the time, who introduced me to The Fault in Our Stars. Thus a few months of devouring every book that he has ever written ensued, which did not leave many options.  So when I went about choosing the book for this author, I wanted to pick a book that I had not read yet (it that could be avoided) and one that I felt might be slightly different than the previous books I had read- so I could speak to his full body of work. 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson follows two different boys who have the same name and seem to be sharing some similar experiences. This book was co-authored with John Green and David Levithan. Both Will Graysons are experiencing falling in love for the first time- which breaks all of their rules of not caring and shutting up. They both compartmentalize their lives to help them cope with disappointment and depression. Grayson (written by John Green) has a best friend Tiny, who is anything but, is out and proud and always in love. Grayson feels that he has been stuck with Tiny as a friend and lives in his shadow. Tiny, also, does some ridiculous matchmaker work to set Grayson up with Jane (that he both likes and doesn't like) which just makes things complicated. Will (written by David Levithan) is stuck in his depression, not really allowing himself to care or connect with anyone except Isaac (who ends up being a fictional boy that his friend Maura made up). The two tales converge where X marks the spot at Frenchy's( a porn store) in Chicago where Garyson decides to use his fake ID for the first time since he couldn't get into a concert and where Will is supposedly meeting up with Isaac (Maura) for their first meeting face to face. They end up realizing that they have the same name, and chalk a coincidence up to some sort of cosmic fate. Lots of falling in love and heartache ensue thereafter when Will meets Tiny and Jane decides to go back to her ex after that fateful night. Grayson begins to feel as if he is always plan B and Will does not know how to keep being happy with Tiny and be the dutiful boyfriend he believes he needs to be. This is a great story of personal discovery, coming out/coming of age, and (of course) musicals. All of the story lines, love, and heartache end up being laid out center stage for all the world to see in Tiny's musical " Tiny Dancer" (also known as "Hold Me Closer") at the end of the story. It was great to read such a great collaboration between these two phenomenal authors.

This book has a lot of strengths. Both Will Graysons are very well developed in their story lines and the depth of characters. The two stories are differentiated by chapters- John Green writing one and David Levithan writing the other. David Levithan decided to write all do his Will chapters in all lowercase with a more screenplay type style as it says the character's names before each speak. This was heavily influenced by the beginning chapters because most of Will's interactions are online in this manner, while John Green's Grayson chapters were written in a more traditional narrative style with more stream of consciousness and description of reactions than Levithan's writing style. John Green's Will Grayson was very similar in style to his other male main characters- Miles from Looking for Alaska, Collin from An Abundance of Katherines, and Quentin "Q" from Paper Towns. All three of the books just mentioned are his most winningest (not necessarily most popular) books as Green does a phenomenal job with his male main characters. I think that he does the same with this book, really honing in on what is going on in a teenage boys mind. I think that this book is particularly special for both John Green and David Levithan because they are able to show the inner workings of two very different boys (who coincidentally have the same names) that also have some similar problems. It shows how many boys (Tiny not included) struggle to show their feelings and understand their own feelings.



I think this is something very pivotal to the success of both John Green's and David Levithan's works. I also particularly love how at the end both boys are willing to break all of their rules to show someone that they care about them- even if it is in a platonic way. I think books like this that show the importance of friendship (and deep friendship- not surface level of calling each other names or comparing who is more messed up) are critical for helping kids develop. It is okay for one boy to tell his best friend that he loves him, because there is a difference between romantic love and friendship love (AND IT IS OKAY FOR BOYS TO HAVE BOTH KINDS). I know plenty of girls who have no issue with expressing their love for their friends and their significant others, but I know very few boys who could do the same without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. This I feel is one of the most important themes this book has to offer, and what makes it so special. Now I am not saying that I don't love John Green's other books, but I think that this book has the ability to break down those barriers and show that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Other books I recommend based on this book:

  • Winger by Andrew Smith (one of my personal favorites, does deal a lot with romantic love, but the friendships shine even more) 
  • Every Day by David Levithan (the shape of love) 
  • Looking for Alaska by John Green (similar male protagonist voice and struggles) 
  • An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (similar male protagonist voice and struggles, BONUS use of footnotes for stream of consciousness - Genius) 
  • Paper Towns by John Green ( similar male protagonist voice and struggles) 
  • Boy meets Boy by David Levithan (similar love, LGBTQ) 

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