Release Date: March 1, 2012
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 295
Received: Purchased
Star Rating: ★ ★ ★½ ☆ ☆
Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.
Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.
Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.
And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight. [goodreads]
My Thoughts
I've heard about this novel for about over a year. It slightly intrigued me, but not enough for me to pick it up sooner. I watched the trailer for this movie, and I felt 10% more intrigued. I also saw it was in the Sundance Film Festival and it won an award or two. I was instantly hooked, when I realized all of these aspects. Now to the novel...I'm not going to lie, there were some problematic subjects. I can't judge the book solely on that and I'm going to bring up some things that didn't sit well with me.
Greg Gaines, the main character, was probably the least interesting character in the whole novel. I think the ending made sense who his character was talking to and the change of attitude. Throughout the novel, he is literally the worst friend. I don't know what else to top that...I understand there types of people who are not compatible with comforting people and that's okay. He acknowledges is flaws constantly and all of his negativity, which can be very repetitive. I hope the movie doesn't bring Greg's full personality because I cannot sit down and watch another privileged teen mope.
I think my favorite character was Earl. He has done very questionable things, but his views have a bigger impact to his character. I don't think I really had the time to get to know Rachel because she's a very closed off character when she gets chemo. I don't have any receipts on her because she just seems like a young, gentle soul.
I also really enjoyed the film making aspects. I liked the recreating movies into something that can only get worse. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl was an easy and entertaining read for the most part. I'm sure I'll see the movie, too. And these are the rare times, I hope the movie is better than the book.
3.5/5 STARS
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