Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
Heartwrenching, beautiful, genuine, moving, sarcastic, witty, meaningful. All these words come to mind when I think about The Fault in Our Stars. However, they seem so inadequate. I knew going into this book what to expect. You don’t read a book about teenagers with cancer expecting happily ever afters and picture perfect memories. In that way, I anticipated a strong emotional reaction and the need for my trusty box of tissues; however, I wasn’t prepared for the depth of my response and the realism Mr. Green portrayed. I was transfixed by this novel. In fact, I listened to it in one sitting, totally unable to stop listening.
The plot is straightforward and simple. There aren’t a lot of twists and turns. Not much in the way of mystery or surprises. It’s real. In my life I’ve watched two dearly loved individuals die from cancer. Both young. One slowly, excruciatingly so. And one incredibly quickly (3 weeks from the day of diagnosis). It’s an ugly process, literally and emotionally. Your body is not your body anymore. You are not even you anymore in many ways. The Fault in Our Stars deals with this both respectfully and realistically.
One of the most amazing parts of this novel were Mr. Green’s characters. Teenagers with cancer are going to have a certain amount of maturity combined with a bit of awkwardness compared to their healthy peers. They have an “elephant in the room” with them at all times leading to a feeling of “otherness.” They also are forced to consider the likelihood of an early death while their peers have more of an invinsibility complex. This leads to characters who are grappling with life or death issues in a time of life that is awkward and frustrating enough on it’s own. Green does an amazing job introducing us to very real, exquisite characters who are placed in these circumstances.
Hazel, the main character, has cancer and knows it will most likely kill her one day. For now though, the cancer has been held at bay by medications. Hazel is alive but she’s not really living. She’s a realist, rather sarcastic, and rather depressed.
Augustus/Gus is a vibrant, handsome, incredibly sacrificial individual who had cancer which took one of his legs. He’s in remission and lives life to the fullest. He’s a romantic and a philosopher. When he sees what he wants, he goes for it.
Hazel and Augustus are characters you can feel and see and hear. There were moments I had to remind myself they aren’t real people. I adored their banter and their frankness. They weren’t romanticized or perfect. Hazel and Gus have a realistic relationship. They are opposite personalities in many ways, so they disagree and sometimes get very frustrated with one another. Their reasons for living and being and doing are very different; yet, they are two teenagers who fall in love, and through their quasi-mature yet awkward personalities, they make it work and find something beautiful. Augustus and Hazel are exactly what each other need in order to live fully in their story and become better people.
To sum things up, The Fault in our Stars is gritty and compelling, sarcastic and delightful, heartwrenching and romantic. It is not for the faint-hearted. You will cry ridiculous amounts of tears. John Green’s novel is captivatingly beautiful; full of love, life and loss; and delivered with a hefty dose of reality. Highly recommended.
Author: John Green Title: The Fault in Our Stars Published: January 10th, 2012 by Dutton Books Format: Audiobook Website: www.johngreenbooks.com Source: owned My rating: 
Happy Reading!
Fantastic review, Heather! I agree with everything you said–Hazel and Augustus are precious characters and I cried buckets reading this.
Yes, totally a tear-jerker! Thanks for reading!
Great review, Heather. I read this book a while back and fell in love. My son died young, age 6, and I expected to not make it through this book, but John Green’s writing compelled me to finish. The depth of their despair and the realism of the “life or death issues” makes for an intriguing read…as well as heart-wrenching.
Oh goodness, Kristin. I can’t imagine. I’m glad you were able to connect with the book and that it was an enjoyable read for you. Thank you for commenting!
Perfect review. It’s exactly how I felt but my review was more along the lines of ‘oh my word the feels’ and more gibberish about how amazing it is. I agree with how real Hazel and Augustus are. There was a moment where I had to sit back and tell myself that these people aren’t even real. Then I marveled at the fact that I was crying so hard about book characters. One of my favorite parts about reading books
Exactly! Thanks so much for reading! =)
I’ve heard so many awesome things about this book, I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for such a great review.
Yes, do read it! But be prepared for emotional turmoil!
I’ve only read one John Green book- Paper Towns- and I absolutely hated it (which shocked me because everyone loves his books). I really want to try this one because it sounds wonderful, but I’m worried I won’t like it. I do like a good cry every now and again!
This is the only John Green book I’ve read so far so I’m not sure how it compares to Paper Towns. It’s worth a try though. It’s a beautiful story. =)
another great new release of 2012… actually i think 2012 is a hell of a bookyear (and that’s a positive thing ^^)… there are so much really, really good book releases like ‘pushing the limits’, ‘the lost girl’, ‘the throne of glass’ and so on … and of course ‘the fault in our stars’… honestly i am not a very emotional girl, but while reading hazel and augustus story i had a hard time fighting my tears (good thing, too ^^)
greets
Kat
This is definitely a great year for books! =) Glad you loved it!
I’ve heard a billion reviews of this book, all of which say “IT’s amazing! You will cry!”, but I still haven’t picked it up. I don’t know what’s wrong with me 😉
Nothing’s wrong with you! Perhaps you have a long TBR list already like the rest of us? LOL. =) I also waited until I was in the mood for a good cry. 😉
Would you believe I have yet to read a single John Green book? I know I know I must read one and I shall. If he’s half as good as I’ve heard I will love him. I won Will Grayson, Will Grayson that I have yet to get to but whichever is the first I will shriek with joy like all his other fan girls lol
Yes, I would believe it because this is my first John Green book! Hope you enjoy it! This book was fantastic!
Ohhh! My favorite book ever! Nice review!
Yay! Thanks! =)
Love John Green – LOVE HIM!! But I can’t bring myself to read this book. I KNOW I’ll cry all the time and then laugh because this author knows how to write in a way that makes you completely immerse yourself in the book. Also knowing that he volunteered in a hospital which gives him more insight into these awful circumstances – I know I won’t be able to read it without completely breaking down.
You’re right…you will break down. It’s horribly awesome. LOL if that makes sense 😉 He did an awesome job of ripping my heart out in an incredibly realistic way but there was a point to it. It was meaningful and absolutely awesome. But yes, it’s heartwrenching to the point of agony at times.
Loved your review! I’ll be sure to have my box of tissue ready when I read this one.
Thanks! =) Better have two boxes…just in case! 😉
Great Review!
I just loved this book. John Green is a genius.
The book is so real and honest. This was my first John Green book too. I really want to read more of his work.
Thanks! I am definitely putting John Green on my radar for other books to read.
I haven’t read this book yet, because I just don’t know if I can take the ending. I haven’t read the book, so I can’t say for sure that what I think happens, happens. But I am pretty certain that it does, and I will cry for days. I have to be in the right kind of mood to read a book like this one. I want to read it, I really do. Hopefully, one day soon!
Yes, I totally understand. It is one that hits you really hard. I put off reading it until I was ready for a good cry too. Hope you enjoy when you finally get to it!
Great Review! I am forever in dept you lot have led me to a whole group of new worlds through the books! Its wonderful!
Yay! So glad you enjoy the blog! =)
This book sounds incredibly powerful and emotional. I have also had to see people I know suffer from cancer. It is really hard to have to watch them go through it. I heard this book really is amazing and I want to read this book soon, and at home because I have a feeling the box of tissues will be emptied. Great review!
Oh yes, do read it at home…hopefully in your PJs and with tissues in hand. It’s so, so good but so, so tough on the emotions.
This is one of my all time favourite books, I remembering reading it at 3 a.m., crying my eyes out and texting my friend “I can’t finish this book, too many feels! *sob*”. xD I love that this book is great balance of humour, love, friendship and lost.
remember* and loss* I think my lack of sleep is contributing to the typos now, I’m cringing at my comment. ><
Absolutely! and I totally understand typos…sigh…I am a typo master!
I heard nothing but amazing things about this book . thanks for the review . I hope I get to read it soon
Thanks for commenting! Hope you love it.
Just finished reading this book, and I regret that i’ve read it while i’m at work. It’s too beautiful and heartbreaking that i was not able to focus on my job and just cried my heart out. I even received weird looks from my colleagues but i don’t care, I’m so happy to be part of Hazel and Gus’ journey
Oh my goodness, dear! I can’t imagine reading that in public! Wow, you’re braver than me! =)