The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: 3rd January 2013

Genre: Fiction, Romance

Summary: 

Hazel Grace is a terminally ill teenager, who has suffered from cancer for many years. She is lonely; but likes it that way. It reduces the casualties. Hazels' world is, however, turned upside down when she meets Augustus Waters, the gorgeous ex-basketball player who is desperate to be remembered, at her weekly support group.

Review:

The Fault in Our Stars, has been on my 'to read' list for ages as I really wanted to see what all the fuss was about. After reading it in two days straight, amidst doing important university stuff, I can honestly say all the hype surrounding this book is justified! I loved it!

The characters are loveable, relatable and well developed. Even though not many people can relate to being terminally ill; as teenagers our experiences are the same. From deciding what to wear on your first date to having dreams and wishes for the future; the characters will bring back a sense of nostalgia in all readers. Similarly, the fear, and the realisation, of losing a relative or friend is portrayed in a realistic and emotional way. This, in turn, highlighted and portrayed the anguish and sense of loss the parents and family members of cancer sufferers go through.

However, the story, and the characters, within it really makes you think about what happens after you have died and the impact it has one those around you. Will you be remembered? By who? What happens to your loved ones when you have gone? Will they be okay? Unlike some authors; I think that Green does not try too hard to enforce these questions upon readers but subtly hints and makes them ponder, whilst still progressing with the plot.

The plot itself moves quite fast, avoiding any unnecessary babbling and divergences. I really liked this aspect of the book as it showed that the life of a cancer patient is uncertain and their condition can change rapidly. Each day should therefore be lived to the fullest. 

On an end note...

If you do not cry, or at least nearly cry, at the last paragraph; you are heartless.

Rating: 10/10. I hope the film does the book justice...

You can buy The Fault in Our Stars from Amazon here.