The Fault in our Stars, John Green- A Review

Review

The story situates itself in Indianapolis and starts with a depressed 16-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster, a cancer survivor for 3 years, diagnosed with lung cancer. Due to Hazel’s depression her mother decides that she must get a treatment and therefore, Hazel ends up joining ‘The Support Group’ much reluctantly in an Episcopal Church until she met a gorgeous, charming 17-year old guy Augustus Waters- an amputee who had a touch of osteosarcoma (a rare type of bone cancer) a year ago. Due to which his leg from knee had been amputated to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Their meeting starts a new love to bloom; together they ride the roller coaster of emotions, sadness, sweetness of love and joy while finding the whereabouts of their admired but reclusive author Peter Van Houten of their favourite book- An Imperial Affliction. They travel to Amsterdam to meet the author, where Augustus reveals heart breaking news to Hazel and both of their worlds tear down to shards.

The way Green has portrayed the reality of life and that life is a no fairy tale is what makes this book wonderful. Although the story is tragic, it is moving, you will cry, laugh and comeback for more! This book is sure to make you think about being in love and being alive, about facing the universe that wants to be noticed and fearing the oblivion. Romance is charming and amusing. I would recommend this book to every romance lover and to all those who believe in reality of life.

The inspiration for this story was author’s friend Esther Grace Earl, a 16-year-old a spunky, energetic girl. Green dedicated this book to her. Esther had thyroid cancer and later succumbed to her disease. Esther was probably also the inspiration for the main character Hazel Grace Lancaster. Esther (Persian for star) also has a book based on her life- This Star Won’t Go Out (introduction by John Green).

The title is inspired by a famous line from Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar (act 1, scene 2). The nobleman Cassius says to Brutus, 

'The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.'

Hazel's and Augutus's Character

 Green’s Hazel is strong, true to herself at all times and accepts her disability. She does not care what looks cool or what doesn’t and takes pride in it. Hazel doesn’t want to hurt anyone, she doesn’t socialize much because she thinks that when she dies, less people will be hurt, However Augustus coming in her life changes her and helps her to socialize more . Hazel as a lover did many selfless acts for Augustus, whatever maybe the situation how much ever messy it maybe, she never leaves the side of Augustus and helps him through most of the situations .

Augustus is quite a charmer; He has the confidence, good looks, and quick wit to back it all up. Augustus is a kind person and also funny. He helps his friend Isaac to get over depression when he had a breakup with his girlfriend-Monica. Augustus doesn’t let cancer be a hush-hush topic and clearly jests the situation that his friends are in, often hurting them although not meaning to be mean-spirited. A quality of his is very much in contrast to that of Hazel- while Hazel used to socialize less to lessen the effect of her disperse, Augustus tries to leave an impression on everyone, so that when he is gone he will be living in the memories of the people he knew.  Augustus wanted to live a meaningful life and inspiring enough to get his story on the front cover on a newspaper, though he never had it. His life had a meaning even though it never became a headline.

About the Author, John Green 

John Michael Green is an award winning New York Times- (for The Fault in Our Stars) bestselling author whose many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor (for Looking for Alaska) and the Edgar Award. He has twice been the finalist for the LA Times Book Prize. He also is a YouTube video blogger and creator of online educational videos- With his brother Hank John he is one half of the Volgbrothers, and also a part of the Crash Course.

Green graduated from Kenyon College in 2000 with a double major in English and Religious Studies. After graduating from college, Green spent five months working as a student chaplain in a children's hospital while enrolled at the University of Chicago Divinity School (although he never actually attended the school). He intended to become an Episcopal priest, but his experiences of working in a hospital with children suffering from life-threatening illnesses inspired him to become an author, and later to write The Fault in Our Stars.                                           

Green lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife, Sarah Urist Green, two children, Henry and Alice, as well as a West Highland Terrier named Fireball Wilson Roberts.

Green has self-authored 5 books till the date with one collaboration for Will Grayson, Will Grayson with David Levitha. Green’s main themes in all books are humour, romance, reality and also some eccentric ideas (except for ‘The Fault in our Stars’). Almost all of the author’s books have won an award. Among the 5 the one which had fared the best is his Debut Book – Looking for Alaska, The book is the winner for 2006 Michael L. Printz Award, Finalist for 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Comes in 2006 Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults.


                                                                    4th June 2014