Here's a full summary and explanation of John Green's novel Turtles All the Way Down before the film adaptation releases.
Turtles All the Way Down follows a 16-year-old with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) investigating the disappearance of a billionaire and reconnecting with her childhood crush.
Starring Isabela Merced and directed by Hannah Marks, the romantic drama recently released its first trailer and is set to begin streaming exclusively on Max on May 2.
Before the film's streaming release, here's a full look into the Turtles All the Way Down novel, including a summary and ending explanation.
Turtles All the Way Down Book Summary
Turtles All the Way Down follows the story of Aza Holmes, a teenager dealing with OCD and intrusive thoughts focused on bacteria and illness.
Aza's journey intertwines with the disappearance of billionaire Russell Pickett as she, alongside her friend Daisy, embarks on an investigation driven initially by the intrigue of a reward.
Despite grappling with her mental health challenges, Aza finds herself drawn into a complex relationship with Davis Pickett, Russell's son, ultimately leading her on a path of self-discovery.
As Aza delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Russell Pickett's vanishing, her relationship with Davis becomes a focal point of the book, with key moments of vulnerability and romance.
Their connection is somewhat ruined by Aza's internal struggles, including her compulsive behaviors and fear of contamination, which complicates their attempts at intimacy.
Despite the initial allure of the reward money, Aza's bond with Davis evolves beyond material interests, shaping her understanding of love, friendship, and identity while battling her mental health.
Turtles All the Way Down Ending & Themes Explained
During the concluding chapters of Turtles All the Way Down, Aza reflects on her journey. Despite her initial hopes for a swift resolution to Pickett's disappearance and her struggle to control intrusive thoughts, Aza confronts the slow pace of her progress.
With Dr. Singh's guidance, she starts a new medication regimen, giving a glimmer of hope for her future.
As Aza resumes her daily life, she reconnects with Daisy over a picnic. She attempts to describe her perception of the world and her sense of being controlled by external forces. Daisy shares a tale about turtles stacked endlessly (wink, wink), which resonates with Aza's own understanding.
During a dinner at Applebee's with Davis, Aza acknowledges her fear of bacterial contamination, which prevents her from having physical intimacy. Despite their mutual affection, Aza realizes the challenges of their relationship and the limitations due to her condition.
Later at an art show in Pogue's Run tunnel, Aza experiences a moment of revelation, linking the location to Russell's potential fate. She later shares her idea with Davis, who grapples with the effects of his father's demise.
After a month, Aza learns Russell's body was found but reassures Davis she and Daisy didn't report it. Davis reveals he and his brother called in the tip anonymously.
Later, Davis visits, giving Aza a painting and informing her of his move to Colorado. Reflecting on the gesture, Aza's perspective shifts to a future version of herself, contemplating the unknown journey ahead.
She acknowledges the inevitability of life's ups and downs, expressing faith in her resilience as an individual. This moment marks a turning point for Aza as she embraces the uncertainty of the future and recognizes her strength in the face of adversity.
Turtles All the Way Down explores big questions about who we are, especially when dealing with mental illness like Aza's.
Aza's existential crisis goes beyond typical adolescent struggle as she grapples with the fundamental notion of her existence and battles with intrusive thoughts.
Additionally, the story highlights disparities in privilege, power, and wealth among its characters, offering a nuanced portrayal of socioeconomic dynamics within the story's framework.
Author John Green spoke to The Guardian about the need to counteract the romanticization and stigma surrounding mental illness, particularly OCD, in his novel:
"I do think we stigmatise mental illness a lot in our culture … we don’t devote nearly enough resources to its treatment so people who can’t afford or access high-quality mental healthcare are doubly disadvantaged. I also think that we at times romanticise mental illness – the reason I wanted Aza to be nicknamed Holmesy is that, while I love Sherlock Holmes, my experience has been that my OCD would make me a terrible detective."
Drawing from his personal experience with OCD, Green mentioned how it can be "disabling" at times and at other times "a pretty small part of [his] life:"
"There have been periods when this has been a disabling part of my life and there have been periods when this has been a pretty small part of my life."
In the end, Green said the point of Turtles All the Way Down is to show how "most people with chronic mental illnesses also live long, fulfilling lives."
The film adaptation of Turtles All the Way Down begins streaming on Max on May 2.
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