Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

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The Fault in Our Stars Summary

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.

The Fault in Our Stars Review

Usually, after I’ve read a book, I immediately try to throw some thoughts down on a page so writing the book review is easier, but I couldn’t do that with this book. I was an emotional mess and too busy rolling around on my bed wailing.

I’ve seen so much hype about The Fault in Our Stars in the blogosphere and, well, in life. But, to be honest, if it hadn’t come through my letterbox, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. It sounded a bit too heavy for me to handle and the thought of reading about sick teenagers did not appeal.

“The marks humans leave are too often scars.”

The Fault in Our Stars Book

The Fault in Our Stars follows the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a lung cancer patient. She probably wouldn’t be very happy if she heard me defining her by her disease like that though as that’s what everybody around her seems to do.

After she is diagnosed with depression, she is forced to attend a support group where she meets Augustus Walters, a gorgeous and muscly boy who for some unknown reason (to her) is interested in her. They develop a close friendship, both challenging and supporting each other.

The Fault in Our Stars is written from the perspective of Hazel and her narrative is really witty and funny. I love that both Hazel and Augustus are so accepting of the disease that is such a huge part of their lives. Neither of them is self-pitying but nor are they unrealistically ok with what must obviously a highly traumatic thing to go through.

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Both of them are determined to live their lives as normal teenagers and it’s really saddening to watch them struggle. They’re both incredibly mature having been forced to confront the idea of death very early on in life so moments together when they can just be like any other teenagers are so special. These characters are so inspirational and I wish more people had their strength and outlook on life.

I don’t think I’d be giving much away by saying that a romance develops between Augustus and Hazel. And honestly? It was one of the most beautiful relationships I’ve ever seen develop in a novel.

This wasn’t insta-love and there aren’t many PDAs or anything like that but you can see a real connection between the pair of them based on shared pain and experiences that made them who they are. I also can’t imagine any other couple making ‘okay’ a flirty word.

“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”

The Fault in Our Stars Book

These two teenagers really care about each other and, for lack of a better phrase, they have such banter together. There aren’t that many huge romantic gestures or anything silly like that in this book and, to them, hanging out and playing video games is just as good a pastime as any. This story reveals the complexities of each character and shares their personality beyond their illnesses that people usually define them by.

I’ve read other people’s reviews of The Fault in Our Stars and they said that they could see the end coming, but I really couldn’t. I think perhaps I was in a state of self-denial and was convinced that things would all turn out the way I wanted them to in my head, but they most certainly did not. The ending of this story was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever read, ever.

When I read the synopsis of this book, I expected a sad story but not one that would make me want to rip my heart out of my chest. I can’t tell you how many times I cried whilst reading this book.

There is a certain point in this book where I just couldn’t contain myself anymore and full-on sobbing ensued. This must be one of the most painful stories to read if you’ve had any experience with sick relatives and I honestly can’t imagine what state I would’ve been in if I had.

I’ve never read any John Green books before but the general consensus seems to be that The Fault in Our Stars is his best novel yet. This is such an emotional rollercoaster and it is undoubtedly one of the best young adult books I’ve ever read. This book is just so real and raw and the writing itself is just so darn brilliant.

I tried to write some sort of coherent review and reign the fan-girl in but I think she’s about to pop out so that’s all from me! Read. This. Book.

“Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.”

The Fault in Our Stars Book

Buy The Fault in Our Stars now:
Amazon | Book Depository | Waterstones | Blackwells

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The Fault in Our Stars Book Review

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[This post was first published in 2013 and updated in 2020]