Description:
The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness. Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine
Despite the tumor-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 story is about to be completely rewritten.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.
Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ (5 out of 5 stars)
My Thoughts:
Hazel Grace was diagnosed with terminal cancer at age thirteen. Her current days as a sixteen-year-old are filled with meds, worried parents, and lots of America’s Next Top Model until the day she meets Augustus Waters at her support group. Augustus changes her life, and she his. Not in the fairy-tale true love kind of way, but in a way that is raw and painful and beautiful and real.
The skill and pure talent in John Green’s writing amazes me. There were certain sentences and parts in the book I had to reread a few times just to marvel at its flawlessness and wit. Not only that, but it was impossibly easy to read and forget about everything around you. When I was only halfway through, I already knew that it was going to be one of my favorite books. Sure, I don’t agree with the various ideologies it contains, but the beauty of the story is that I didn’t have to. It examines the universal truths of the human heart and what it strives for- purpose, understanding, belonging, etc. My sister put it so eloquently- we don’t realize it, but life is fragile. We don’t think about death, but for some that’s all they can think about. Life is such a gift and this book reminded me of that in a way not easily forgotten.
I’ve always thought that the best books are the ones that make you feel so deeply you can’t get it out of your head or heart. The different emotions that this book evoked in me was like nothing I’ve ever experienced with a fictional story. I sobbed, laughed, got angry, was depressed but also inspired, and did I mention I cried? Like a lot. The book itself isn’t funny (it’s actually gut-wrenchingly sad) but the characters were, just because that’s who they were.
The Fault in Our Stars is beautiful, heartbreaking, poetic, witty, unique, and hands down one of the best books I have ever read.
Hmmm… I’ve been curious about this but knowing how sad it will be, I’ve not been “brave” enough to read it. That being said, at the very least I will likely rent the film and if I’m willing to go that far, I may as well pick this book up. Someday. 😉
Great review, Bekah!
Oh, Rissi! You have to try The Fault in Our Stars! It is really heart-wrenchingly sad and you may need some tissues, but it’s totally worth it. I am a little bittersweet about watching the movie…I’m not sure how I’ll handle actually “seeing” everything. 😉
Thank you!!