The fault in our stars by John Green

kateevelyne · Post by **kateevelyne** » 16 Mar 2014, 16:20

The fault in our stars is a bitter sweet, tragic romance told through the eyes of 17 year old cancer sufferer Hazel Lancaster. Where this book could be indulgently weepy, it is not. The character and her friend's teenage perspectives on things were expertly portrayed by John Green and injected a humorous viewpoint in just the right places.

Hazel meets the gorgeous one-legged, post-cancer Augustus Waters at her local teenage cancer support meeting and really doesn't look back from there as she and Augustus share the highs and lows of life with cancer, and despite her best efforts she falls head over heels in love with him. Typically though the course of true love never runs smoothly, and the author does not shy away from dealing with the heavy issues involved in the situation. The intrinsic sadness is offset with a dry and sardonic wit which I really enjoyed reading. In fact here is a quote from one such circumstance which I just really loved in this book. I have taken out the names because I don't want to spoil the story.
"How are you feeling" ***** asked
"Everything tastes like pennies. Aside from that, I'm on a rollercoaster that only goes up kid" **** answered.
***** laughed. "How are the eyes?"
"Oh, excellent," he said. "I mean they're not in my head is the only problem"
"Awesome, yeah," ***** said "not to one up you or anything, but my body is made out of cancer."
"So I heard," ***** said trying not to let it get to him.
He fumbled toward ****'s hand and found only his thigh.
"I'm taken," **** said. "
The book is primarily set in Indianapolis where the author John Green lives with his wife and son, but the story takes us over to Holland where Augustus gives up his 'wish' for Hazel to meet the author of her all time favourite book so that she can find out exactly what he envisaged the ending to be. I loved the setting of the trip, and the twists and turns that the plot took the reader on.
This is what I would class an easy read, although intelligently written. I really enjoyed reading it and was hooked very quickly. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to others, though I probably won't need to read it again.
I am really looking forward to watching the film now that I have read the book. I just hope the humour of the book is portrayed as well in the film.

Tayla · Post by **Tayla** » 16 Mar 2014, 17:15

I agree I loved the book and found its humor enticing. I never saw the movie but I hope it portrayed it as well as the book. Most movies are not as good as the book. Sadly true.

jazzybear · Post by **jazzybear** » 16 Mar 2014, 17:35

This book was really something else. Personally, I hate romantic books, but this wasn't all kissy stuff. The connection Hazel and Augustus have bring out your inner self. That's exactly what Hazel does.