Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

by Jesse Andrews
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Contemporary Fiction
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  • ID: 10101
  • Added: 2026-01-15
  • Updated: 2026-01-15
  • ISBN: 9781925267709
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books
  • Published: 2017-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Greg Gaines, a high school senior, has a simple strategy to survive the social minefield of his school: stay invisible. He spends his time making mediocre films with his only friend, Earl. However, his carefully constructed plan is shattered when his mother insists he befriend Rachel, a girl who has been diagnosed with leukemia. As Greg is drawn into Rachel's world, he must confront his own fears and insecurities, leading to a journey of self-discovery and unexpected friendship. The story is a poignant exploration of adolescence, mortality, and the complexities of human relationships, all told with a blend of humor and heartache. It has been adapted into a major motion picture, further highlighting its compelling narrative and relatable characters.

Reviews
Book Nook Revs · 2016-10-25
artful 4.25

The book is both entertaining and artful, offering a unique perspective on life and death. It is a standout in young adult literature.

Book Nook Revs praises the book for its unique blend of entertainment and artistry. The reviewer finds the book to be both engaging and thought-provoking, with a narrative that is both humorous and poignant. The characters are well-developed and their interactions are both funny and touching, making the book a memorable read. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to tackle heavy themes without becoming overly sentimental, maintaining a balance that keeps the reader engaged and emotionally invested. The book's exploration of life and death is both powerful and thought-provoking, making it a standout in young adult literature.

Quick quotes

    Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews is an awesome YA novel, one that is both entertaining and artful.

    The book offers a unique perspective on life and death.

    The characters are well-developed and their interactions are both funny and touching.

The Guardian · 2015-06-29
hilarious 4.00

The book is extremely funny, with a self-deprecating narrative that is both cynical and hilarious. It deals with heavy themes in a way that is both poignant and entertaining.

The Guardian's review highlights the book's unique blend of humor and heartache. The narrator's self-deprecating humor is a standout feature, making the heavy themes of life and death more palatable. The reviewer found the book to be one of the funniest they've ever read, praising its ability to balance comedy and tragedy. The characters are relatable and their interactions are both funny and touching, making the book a memorable read. The reviewer appreciates how the book handles serious topics without becoming overly sentimental, maintaining a balance that keeps the reader engaged and emotionally invested.

Quick quotes

    This was probably the funniest book I've ever read.

    Greg's self-deprecating narrative was extremely cynical and utterly hilarious.

    The book deals with heavy themes in a way that is both poignant and entertaining.

Disability in Kidlit · 2015-05-01
raw 3.75

The book is a raw and honest portrayal of teenagers dealing with a dire situation. It captures the essence of youth and the harsh realities of life and death.

Disability in Kidlit's review emphasizes the book's raw and honest portrayal of teenagers facing a dire situation. The reviewer appreciates the authenticity of the characters, who are not idealized but rather portrayed as real kids dealing with immense challenges. The book's exploration of life and death is both poignant and thought-provoking, making it a powerful read. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to tackle heavy themes without resorting to clichés, making it a standout in young adult literature. The characters' struggles and emotions are depicted in a way that feels genuine and relatable, adding depth to the narrative.

Quick quotes

    It sucks, and it's unfair, and she's going to die, and she wasn't anybody special or extraordinary or wise, except in the way that everyone's special.

    Andrews' characters are not life lessons, not philosophers, not poets, they're just kids in the worst kind of situation.

    The book captures the essence of youth and the harsh realities of life and death.

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