YA Friday: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Friday, May 18, 2012

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: YA, contemporary
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 2012
Source: Library
Read for: Fun

Hazel has received a miracle treatment for the tumors in her lungs -- that is, a miracle in that it gives her a few more years. What isn't so miraculous is that eventually she will die from those tumors, and meanwhile she is dependent on a tank of oxygen. Her mother makes her attend a cancer support group, and it is there that she meets Augustus Waters -- one-legged, his cancer essentially beaten, witty and book-loving. As they get to know each other, they embark on an adventure that involves lots of reading, lots of feeling, and world-travel. And love.

I have been dreading writing this review for a few reasons. First of all, everyone and their neighbor has reviewed it already. And almost everyone liked it. There is little I can add other than my personal reactions. Second, I felt a lot while reading this book, but I don't know how to transpose that feeling into sensible prose. Not that any of my reviews are composed of sensible prose anyway. But I do try.

So I am going to be a lazy blogger and simply list what I liked and disliked for you. Starting with the dislikes, of course, so we can end in a happy place:

Dislike(s)
* Really, there is only one that stands out to me. I predicted the end of this book. And while initially it seems obvious what the end of the book will be, it actually does not end in an obvious way -- but I still predicted it. Which is always disappointing.

Likes:
* The cover. This designer clearly needs to get his/her fingers in more projects, because this was nicely done.
* The title. I'm sad that it is taken, really, because it conveys so much in such beautiful language that I would like to steal it for myself.
* John Green's writing. This was my first John Green book, so I had not yet experienced the snarky, quirky wit that is his trademark. I absolutely ate it up. It was delicious.
* The fact that it is a cancer book. I feel like I say this every time I talk about cancer books -- I don't like cancer, and I wish it was obliterated. But I like reading the stories of the people who have experienced it, whether they are true stories or imaginary stories. I guess it is just a morbid nurse thing.
* Hazel and Augustus did so much based on a book. I don't want to reveal exactly what they did, because discovering that piece of the story was one of the most enjoyable aspects of reading the book. However, I can say that I loved the fact that they shared this book and then made understanding it a huge priority -- one that they would literally travel thousands of miles to accomplish.
* Imperfection. Quite a few love stories, and young adult stories in particular, tend to over-romanticize falling in love. Sometimes I think all those books and movies are to blame for so many failed marriages and relationships -- expectations are raised so high that there is no room for imperfection. Other than the cancer that clearly had a dramatic effect on Hazel and Augustus's lives, there are other issues. Okay, actually, most of them stem from cancer. But there is the fact of past relationships, of not feeling well enough to spend time together, of not wanting to invest in a relationship when you feel like there is no point with a clock that is running out. All of those things were heavy and depressing parts of Hazel and Augustus's love story, but they didn't drown out the love. It was still powerful and encompassing -- I think it had more power due to its imperfections.

So overall, this was a well-written, enjoyable, and heart-rending story. Hipsters especially will devour it with vigor.

4.5 stars

Warnings: Language, intense sadness, a not-too-detailed bedroom scene

14 comments:

  1. Oh, this story broke my heart and then spit it out again, all chewed up and useless. Really, after I read the last page I walked around in a daze for several hours.

    I thought your review was just chock-full of sensible prose, so well done!

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    1. Seriously. Usually I start another book right after finishing one because I hate the idea that "I'm not reading anything," but I couldn't for a little while after this one.

      Thank you!

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  2. So glad you liked it! Obviously I love John's writing and even more so since I watch his videos and know where the book stems from. In case you didn't know, John used to work as a children's chaplain in a hospital. He says that this book has been awhile in the making from what he learned while doing so. But he didn't want to write the book until he could do so honestly. Last year a fairly promenant nerdfighter 16 year old with cancer died, someone John interacted with. This book is dedicated to her... although it is not based on her life. I cried through the whole book! Also the guy who did the cover does a lot of well known books... John was really excited when he found out he was going to do his cover. Any plans to read more of John's books.

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    1. I didn't know that at all, so I'm glad you told me. I wondered what made him so familiar with what life for a kid with cancer is like. Do you know other books the cover designed worked on? I am planning on reading Paper Towns sometime in the near future, I think.

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  3. The two John Green books I read did not impress me much. I'll give this one a go and I hope I like it. I'm sad to hear how predictable it was, though.

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    1. I've heard a lot of differing opinions on his work. This one was pretty good but I haven't read anything else he's written so I couldn't compare it for you.

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  4. I think I liked that you could predict the end of the book and see what was coming, because I don't think my heart could have taken it otherwise. I was glad that John Green gave us lots of time to prepare for what was going to happen. This was also my first book of his and I love his style. I can't wait to read more of his work - I hear Looking for Alaska is really good.

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    1. I definitely love his writing. I've heard a lot of love for all of his other books, so I need to get on reading them soon!

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  5. I am so glad to see that your list of likes far outweighs your list of dislikes! This was my first John Green novel and I really enjoyed it

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  6. Sometimes lists are fabulous things...I think it worked to convey your thoughts really well here! You managed to say much more than I did. :) I loved that the teens in this book didn't have any problem being intelligent (so often teens are portrayed as overly emotional and you never get to see the other side of it). I got so excited with all the literary bits.

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    1. Thanks! I agree with you about the teens being intelligent. So many bloggers have taken issue with that, saying that teens don't actually talk like that, but I remember having a lot of big philosophical discussions with my friends when I was in high school. Also, I think someone with cancer is obviously going to be more grown-up than the average teen. I didn't think their intelligence was over the top at all.

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  7. I'm so on the fence about reading this book! I think I will eventually read it, but I kind of want to wait a while. I think I've just read so much about it that I need to read it after all those reviews have faded from my mind. I've only read one John Green book (Paper Towns), and while I enjoyed it, I get the impression that his books are all very similar. From glancing at a few of them, it seems like the characters are all similar in their quirkiness. Anyway, based on the fact that you liked it, I will probably read it at some point :)

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    1. I need to read some more John Green books, although maybe I will space them out, because I've also heard that there are a lot of similarities between all of them. This is a great book, but I can understand wanting to wait until the hype surrounding it simmers down a little bit.

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