Young Adult Book Review: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor (The Carls #2) by Hank Green

By Chelsea Rodriguez | Springville Road Regional Branch Library

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor (The Carls #2) by Hank Green was my most anticipated book for 2020. It's the second and final book in the series. How do I say this gently and without spoilers? In the first novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (The Carls #1), some friends happen upon a sculpture that turns out to be aliens. 

In that first book we look at one woman's life as she grapples with that first contact and the viral fame she receives as a consequence. The Aliens, lovingly dubbed "Carl" by our protagonist April, are stoic 10-foot tall samurais who never disclose any information. All we know is that people are no longer alone in the universe.

In the second book humans are still dealing with the fallout of our first alien encounter. Unlike the first novel, this story is told from multiple perspectives in April's friend group, and through a few excerpts and transcripts from newspapers sprinkled throughout because the sequel is just as much about her friends, society, and the survival of our species. It's a story about alien interference, catastrophic greed, and the fragility of human culture. I desperately don't want to give anything away. What I will say is that I literally couldn't put it down.

Hank Green's A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor is an incredibly entertaining story that presents social commentary that examines power dynamics, fame, and the dissemination of information and ideas. It's also about community building, online communities, the destructive nature of greed, and the importance of unplugging and tending to your relationships.

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor lets the reader escape into a new world while also allowing us to think over and examine our society. Please consider checking out A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor or An Absolutely Remarkable Thing if you are interested in speculative fiction or alien robots!

Please take a look at our online collection using Hoopla and Libby apps. Also, no-contact Curbside Service is now available at BPL's Avondale, Five Points West, North Birmingham, and Springville Road Library locations. Place holds on the items you want to check out.

Holds may be placed by going online, using BPL's mobile app, or by calling us. All library materials must be returned in the book drops. For the safety of everyone involved, returned materials will be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours, and will take several days to be cleared from your account. No late fees will be charged.