The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Publication Date: January 10th, 2012
Publisher: Dutton Books
Genre: YA/Romance/Contemporary
Synopsis:
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 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.My Thoughts: This was the second book in a row for me from the same genre and same kind of theme. Although they were definitely strikingly different, they carry the same theme and idea. I think after reading this and Wake by Abria Mattina that I will need to read something very light hearted!
So the story is about a terminally ill young girl who meets another cancer affected young man and they fall in love, despite the fact they know it can't last for long. What a hard decision that would be to make, and I could definitely sympathize with Hazel's reluctance to enter a relationship, knowing that soon you will have to leave that person behind. But then again, you would think you might want to embrace and experience what we can while we have the chance. It's pretty hard to imagine yourself in her shoes, but I guess that's what books like this are for. To give us a viewing window into the struggles and decisions and thoughts that come to you when you know that your life is about to be cut short.
While I did really enjoy this story, it didn't completely grab me. Everything seemed kind of anti-climactic or something. Their relationship was adorable and charming, but I couldn't really feel the attraction or the connection. When terrible things occur, which I can't really go into details about, they are definitely sad and heart breaking. But again, I just felt kind of distanced from the events. They didn't really affect my own emotions. Maybe I just didn't develop a connection with the characters, but that's the way it felt to me. Like all the ingredients were there, it just wasn't coming out like I expected.
That being said, I did still really enjoy the story and I would more than likely recommend it. It was a good and quick and easy read. I think it's good for us to read something that involves real life struggles every now and then. Instead of which vampire is hotter or what kind of animal I might shape shift into. It was grounding and heart felt and I am glad I read it.
The whole thing was very deep, and the main characters Augustus and Hazel were so very intelligent and witty, poetic and quirky. I usually tend to love characters like that in stories, cause I can definitely relate to quirkiness. But again here, it just wasn't happening for me. Plus the ending threw me off a bit. I suppose I know what it felt like for Hazel when she couldn't find out all the details in the ending to her favorite book, it was pretty ironic in that sense, but it still bothered me.
But if you are into contemporary and real life struggles and hardship, not to mention tear jerkers, this is definitely a book for you! I think I just went into it expecting to like it a lot more, I put the bar to high going in maybe. But owell, still a great read, and yes I think you should read it to :).
