Title: The Fault In Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: YA Contemporary
Book 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 Reader’s Review*
The Fault In Our Stars is as great as everyone says it is. Is it heart-breaking? Yes. Beautiful? Definitely. Worth the read? A must.
First, let me tell you… I did not cry. Well I did tear up a bit, but not in the I-cry-my-eyes-out kind of way. I did not crumble into a ball like a tissue after drying buckets of tears. Believe me, I wanted to cry (yeah, you heard me) because I felt like Hazel and Augustus deserved it, but I guess my heart prepared itself by wearing a sturdy metal armor, not to mention the many spoilers out there. However, my pain IS there all bottled up inside and it’s so heavy that any moment now I’m sure it will pass out.
And how could it not? Hazel and Augustus are nothing short of amazing and strong characters. Although I think they wouldn’t want me to describe them this way. You see, they would prefer for me to talk about how they are these ridiculously attractive people and nothing else. Yup, they are impressively vain. And weird, funny, down to earth and so unique (and I don’t give a damn if they don’t like these descriptions because it’s true). Gosh, I learned to love them both so much that from now on I will always feel sad and happy at the same time whenever I think about infinities and math and swings and metaphor cigarettes. I will also hate more with all my heart that bastard called Cancer.
I have a hunch that when I watch the movie, it will be my breaking point. I think my heart’s defenses won’t hold up anymore and that ache I’m carrying will finally get its much needed release. I also can’t wait to own this book in print and read it again. I want to hug it and simply hold it next to my heart, forever. Always. For as long as infinity lasts.
P.S. Have I said how much I hate Cancer? I wish I could kick it’s butt hard over and over again, lock it up in a tiny metal box and snuff it at the bottom of the ocean. For hurting Hazel and Augustus, for hurting Isaac (an awesome friend of theirs) and ultimately, for everyone who it has ruined lives. It has hit close to me too and it sucks and hurts so, so much. I wish it didn’t exist, but like they say:
Awe!! Your review is beautiful. I saw the movie trailer last night and now I just have to read it!! From what I saw my heart is already aching… If I could I would pick up that book right now and start reading. Fantastic post Melissa 🙂
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
Read it. Read it. Read it! I look forward on hearing your thoughts about it. 😀 And thanks <3