Summary

The novel Looking for Alaska by John Green begins when sixteen-year-old Miles Halter transfers to Culver Creek boarding school because he wants to find his Great Perhaps. At his old school he was an outsider. His hobby is learning famous last words from famous people. At Culver Creek he quickly becomes friends with his roommate Chip Martin, who everyone calls “the Colonel”. From him Miles gets the nickname "Pudge", although in reality he is very thin.

Through the Colonel, Miles meets Alaska Young. Alaska is an impulsive girl with whom Miles falls in love at first sight. During their first conversation alone, Alaska tells him about the last sentence of Simón Bolívar, asking “how he will ever get out of this labyrinth”. Alaska ponders what this labyrinth is supposed to mean and wants the answer from Miles. Miles is fascinated by Alaska, but also overwhelmed by her temperamental nature.

The group of three is joined by the Japanese Takumi and later Lara, a pretty girl from Roma...