Summary
John Green's Turtles All the Way Down is a powerful young adult novel that took the literary world by storm upon its release in 2017. The book, which tackles themes of mental health, friendship, and self-discovery, quickly rose to the top of The New York Times Best Seller list and remained there for an impressive 15 weeks. Green's personal experience with OCD lends an authentic voice to the protagonist's struggles, making this work particularly poignant and relatable.
Critical acclaim for Turtles All the Way Down was almost universal, with many reviewers praising Green's ability to portray the complexities of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder with unflinching honesty. The novel's success extended beyond literary circles, earning recognition from major media outlets and being featured on popular programs such as 60 Minutes and NPR's Fresh Air. Its impact on readers and critics alike solidified Green's status as one of the most influential young adult authors of his generation.
In an exciting development for fans, Turtles All the Way Down has been adapted into a film directed by Hannah Marks. The movie, starring Isabela Merced as the protagonist Aza Holmes, was released on the streaming service Max in May 2024. This adaptation brings Green's compelling narrative and complex characters to life on screen, potentially introducing the story to an even wider audience and further cementing its place in contemporary popular culture.
Plot
Sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety, which manifest as an intense fear of pathogens and microbes. When fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett disappears, Aza's best friend Daisy convinces her to investigate the case, tempted by the $100,000 reward. Their search leads them to Pickett's son Davis, an old acquaintance of Aza's. To deter their investigation, Davis gives the girls $100,000 from his father's hidden stashes.
As Aza and Davis rekindle their friendship and begin dating, Aza's mental health challenges intensify. She finds herself unable to fully engage in the relationship due to her anxiety. Meanwhile, Daisy starts dating their friend Mychal and uses her Star Wars fan fiction as an outlet for her frustrations with Aza. The tensions between the two friends culminate in a heated argument and a car accident, landing Aza in the hospital for eight days.
