John Green: ‘The Fault in Our Stars’
This book is really popular and I totally get it. Sometimes I stay far away from the books that “everyone is reading,” (I won’t name any cult series involving werewolves or vampires) and sometimes I totally get it. Maybe The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green isn’t in cult territory yet, but it sure seems like it’s everywhere.
If you haven’t already heard, Fault is about a sarcastic, book-loving teenage girl named Hazel who has terminal cancer, and the poetic, gorgeous boy, Augustus, she falls in love with who also has cancer. This premise does not sound promising. Why do you want to spend your free time reading about cancer kids? If you’re like me, you have a slight preoccupation with dodging the seemingly infinite kinds of cancer floating around us. I actually didn’t know what the book was about despite seeing it recommended in various places and by someone whose reading opinions I trust. But trust me–this is a funny, fast-moving, soulful book. OK, yes, it’s also heartbreaking, but aren’t most good books?
I love this book because of the teen love story, but that’s a given. I love this book because it gives a realistic voice to a teenager, a cancer patient yes, but a teenager through and through. I love this book because it falls into this wonderful category of YA novels that are not in any way dumbed down for its age group, which is why adults like us can enjoy it too. I love this book because it forced tears on a JetBlue flight, so speechless was I that I could only shake my head when the flight attendant offered snacks. I do not love the book because it made me sad, but because it made me care that much.
One of my favorite lines from the book is when Augustus is reading to Hazel from her favorite book, which has become one of his favorite books: “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
A lot of The Fault in Our Stars is about cancer, but a lot of it is also about young love. And there are some universal messages. The main one being, for me: Enjoy the time you have. When you find the person you’re meant to be with, enjoy every moment with him or her to the absolute fullest.
If you’ve already read the book and you want more, check out John Green’s YouTube series, and stay tuned for the Fault movie coming out next year!
Image from Barnes & Noble
Gigglers: I’m not going to seek out the newest hardcovers and tell you whether or not to buy them. And while not the Sunday Review, this Sunday blog will explore my brilliant and fascinating thoughts about books. Please use the comments section to share your own thoughts on this book, or whatever you’re reading.
