Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Cover Copy: “Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group. Hazel’s stoy is about to be completely rewritten.”
My Thoughts: The fault in our stars by John green shot to fame when the adaptation was released in cinemas this year. The question is does this novel deserve the cult like following that it has received as a result? Before reading this story, of two cancer stricken teenagers and how they deal with the increased possibility of death, I was sceptical that this would be nothing other than a washy feel good approach to a serious topic. Now having actually taken the time to read it properly I can admit I was surprised at how profound it can be, the issues surrounding morality and mortality combine to form a well written, credit deserving piece of fiction.
The main characters Hazel and Augustus have come under attack for speaking too profoundly and discussing life at a higher emotional and intellectual level than some believe teenagers would, however they are not normal teenagers, they are teenagers who have had to face up to their own mortality so who is to say that they would not have deep and meaningful conversations with each other.
I found the characters lovable and despite knowing that there may not be a happy ending I was rooting for the pair to miraculously recover and live out their lives together. Hazel in particular is a very heart-warming character, it is made abundantly clear that while she battles her disease her main thoughts are for her family and how they are coping and how they would cope should the worst happen. This likeability factor that the characters possess adds to the overall heartbreak of the story, the reader becomes so invested in their happiness that by the ending you cannot help but be incredibly moved and question what is really important in your own life.
Favourite Quotes:
“Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.”
“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.”
“Maybe okay will be our always”
Final Thoughts:
This novel is aimed at young adults but I honestly think there is a lesson in it for any reader, it is so cleverly written that the story captures the audience from the beginning and presents so many important life lessons as well playing out an endearing love story.
Between the Lines 