It’s time to review The Fault In Our Stars, the book we selected to read for the March PBF Book Club!
Brief Summary
The Fault In Our Stars follows the life of Hazel, a 16-year-old girl with terminal cancer. To appease her mother, Hazel frequently attends a cancer support group where she one day meets Augustus Waters, a 17-year-old handsome cancer survivor who tells her she looks like Natalie Portman. Augustus and Hazel’s relationship grows quickly through a shared understanding of living with cancer… and a desire to uncover the ending of a book that ends mid-sentence.
My Review (with spoilers)
I was so happy when this book was selected because so many people told me it was a wonderful read. I totally get it. I loved this book.
I loved Hazel. I loved Augustus. I loved the writing. But more than anything I loved that this book wasn’t glossy, cliché and full of fluff. A glimpse into the life of Hazel, the life of someone with a terminal illness and, eventually, the life of someone in love with someone who is dying, was raw and emotional.
The book wasn’t sugar-coated. It poked at clichés. It didn’t glorify death or cancer, but talked about it in a way that I found real, uncomfortable, refreshing and raw. Augustus talks about how the souls of the dead are always remembered as “beautiful” when, in reality, they may have been a bitch. Hazel talks about how hard it is not to be able to talk to Augustus about Augustus’ death.
The relationships between the characters in The Fault In Our Stars captivated me. The friendship between Isaac, Augustus and Hazel was so pure and unfiltered. The way Hazel frequently talked about her parents and her concern for their well-being once she passed away was loving and moving, but didn’t cause her to behave like the “best daughter ever.” She still got annoyed with her mom and still acted like a teenager. All of this added to my adoration of this story.
I must share my one gripe with the book. The dialogue between Hazel and Augustus. Though the way they communicated was very entertaining, at times I found their dialogue too far-fetched for two teenagers. I had a hard time believing that two teenagers would communicate using the language and literary references that they did, no matter how intelligent and well-read they happen to be. (I loved the way Sarah said they fell into the trap of Dawson’s Creek dialogue in her review. I totally agree!)
But that was easy for me to overlook because I was too busy falling in love with their love. And with this book.
Also, did anyone else think this book was going to end mid-sentence?
P.S. If you found yourself craving more after finishing this novel, you might enjoy this interview with the author that I found on his website.
Blogger Link Up
You can find additional reviews of The Fault In Our Stars on the following blogs:
- Food, Fun and Life in Waukesha
- Just a One Girl Revolution
- Pieces of Jess
- Eat Books
- Day-By-Day Masterpiece
- Hungry Healthy Girl
- Fit ‘n’ Cookies
- Becky’s Blog
- Sprouts ‘n’ Squats
- Sarah’s Book Shelves
- Ashley Unfiltered
- Southern Belle Living Well
- Kristina Masten
- Three Men and a Mommy
- Healthy Happy Stephanie
- Good For the Soul by Dani-T
- Run Pretty
- Freeing Imperfections
- Biting Life
- Peace, Love and Oats
- Run, Eat, Play
- Live Every Week Like It’s Shark Week
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about Hazel’s overall attitude regarding her diagnosis?
- What did you think about Peter Van Houten?
- How did reading this book make you feel?
- Did you like the way the book ended? Why or why not?
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Ahhh, totally missed this. Dangit. I was just searching for a good book to read last week, too. Oh well… hopefully I’ll catch the next one. Happy Friday Girl!
I totally thought the book could end midsentence. I was afraid of that but looked in the back to make sure it didn’t!
As for Hazel’s attitude, I actually thought she dealt with being a terminal patient quite well. I liked that her attitude wasn’t perfect. But she wasn’t super depressed either.
I thought Van Houten was horrible when they first encountered him in Amsterdam, but when he came to America, he was just hilarious and also kind of sad.
Reading this book made me feel anxious about cancer. Reading about young people with cancer is very different because it shows that cancer truly affects everyone, no matter their age. Kind of scary!
And I loved how the book ended. I thought it was perfect. The only thing that threw me off a little was how Hazel didn’t want to go to Augustus’ burial. I had a hard time imagining her disinterest in that.
So glad we read this book! Thanks for hosting 🙂
Will there be an April book club? I need a good read….
I honestly did believe that maybe it was going to end mid-sentence! I agree with the dialogue between the characters being a little too over the top, but at the same time, I liked it. Hazel actually reminded me more of Rory from Gilmore Girls!
I have to check out that interview! Thanks, Julie!
OMG! I forgot about that. But yeah, I totally thought it was going to end that way. I would have been piiiiissed. I almost flipped to the back just to find out.
I LOVED this book! Have you read any of John Green’s other novels?
Teenagers can be as, or more intelligent as adults. It’s one of the points John Green tried to make with this novel, actually.
Of course I made a grammatical error in my comment about intelligence… it’s very early here.
I’m almost finished reading Gone Girl (I know, a little later than everyone else) which I love, so I’ve been on the lookout for my next book. I can’t wait to start this one!
I thought it would end mid-sentence, too!
SUCH a good book. They’re making a movie from it, and I hope it’s as good and poignant as I found the book to be. I love John Green. If you haven’t read anything else by him, you might want to check it out. Also, John’s brother Hank recently did a project of a modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice told through video blogs. It’s called the Lizzie Bennet Diaries and is on Youtube and is also SO GOOD.
To say I loved this book would be an understatement. So glad you finally read it! If you feel like it, you can check out my full review here.
Totally agree about the dialogue between Hazel and Augustus. I found myself skimming over it because it started to get annoying. But other than that, I loved it!!
I did the same thing. I liked the book, didn’t love it though because I found myself getting annoyed with the dialogue between Augustus and Hazel.
I enjoyed this book VERY much! I’m so glad that it was chosen because it is not one I would have chosen on my own, for fear of it being too sad. While I was in tears a couple of times, for the most part it was really heartfelt without getting to depressing.
I also thought the dialogue between Hazel and Augustus was a little far-fetched, but I was entertained by the things that they said and the way that they talked to each other, so all’s good.
The way Van Houton acted when Hazel and Augustus visited him in Amsterdam was absolutely horrifying and I was hating him. But in the end, when the truth about him having a daughter came out, I ended up feeling really sorry for him.
Thanks so much for hosting! I hope the next book chosen is just as good!
I’m not sure if you already know this, but John Green has a pretty popular YouTube channel with his brother. It’s extremely interesting.
Also, his other books are great too! Definitely worth a read.
This book sounds amazing, definitely adding to my kindle dl list! I also have an issue with teenage characters who are given dialogue far beyond their years/maturity level…Dawson’s Creek is a perfect example! Twilight came to my mind first when reading your review lol.
I definitely noticed the dialogue and laughed at the similarities to Dawson’s Creek (nothing like a good blast from the past!), but I thought it was the right thing to do for the purpose of the story. Not as much from a character perspective….more just to make for interesting reading. I really enjoyed Hazel and Augustus’ banter, even though it was probably not realistic. And, after all, he’s at liberty to take some license with true “reality” since this is fiction!
I loved this book too! I was also annoyed by the Dawson’s Creek-esque dialogue but I figured that the characters were wise beyond their years. After I read this book, I read some of his other books and I have to say that there is a distinction in teenager dialogue between this book and Green’s other books. So I have to assume their dialogue written this way was intentional. It just made me love the book more.
Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoyed this book as well. I think the dialogue was meant to be a little more serious on purpose. I felt like they were wise beyond their years after all they had went through in childhood. That being said, there probably could’ve been a few more “teenage moments” thrown in.
The author and his brother have a great youtube channel called Vlog Brothers.
I was so happy to see this was your book club read this month. I read this in December (and again a few weeks ago) and bawled my eyes out both times. It’s so beautifully written, has a lot of stand-out quotes, and I just loved the characters. I’m looking into reading John Green’s other books since I’m very into his vlog.
When I started this book, I didn’t want to live it. I’d heard mixed reviews and turns out lots of people had issues with the dialogue. But then I read the book and finished it all in one sitting and it was amazing. I didn’t even really let the dialogue bother me – then again, I was always a HUGE Dawson’s Creek fan 🙂
I’ve seen many great review of this book…I need to check it out!
Thanks for featuring my review, Julie! I also thought the book was going to end mid-sentence … it felt like something the author set up but then didn’t use. I liked the ending of the book and thought it was very beautiful and yes, I cried, but there is a part of me that wishes it would have ended mid-sentence. Things like that always make me wonder about different drafts/versions of books that existed before this final product. I wonder if in one version, the book does end mid-sentence, but the author chose to go this route instead.
I wondered about this too, and John Green actually answered this question:
Q. Did you consider ending TFIOS midsentence?
A. I agree with Augustus that there is a contract between reader and writer and that not ending a book violates that contract. Also, I try really hard in my work generally not to do ostentatious things like ending books midsentence.
I TOTALLY thought it was going to end mid sentence!!
I abosoloutly LOOOVE John Green. This is my favourite book ever even though I cried my eyes out. How could you not love Augustus? Looking For Alaska is another really good one by him. And if your looking for a not so sad book by him, Paper Towns is awesome.
I couldn’t agree with you more on your review! I would never have chosen to read this book on my own, but I’m so glad I read it. Now I can’t stop recommending it.
This was my 3rd book by John Green and he did not disappoint! It was so good. Did you see they are making it into a movie? I reeeeeally hope they don’t screw it up. I’m excited to see it!!
I read this book when my 16 year old daughter was reading it and could not put it down. I loved it! It really made me look at the way teenagers think and feel and it made my daughter look at a parents perspective.
I picked this book for my book club so was excited to see what your readers thought of it when it was your chosen book. Glad to see so many others enjoyed it too!
Van Houten’s character threw me for a loop! Loved that twist because it was nothing I had predicted! I agree Julie that the dialogue seemed a bit far-fetched for teenagers. Overall I really enjoyed this unique book and have been recommending it! Glad it was chosen for book club! 🙂
Actually, all of the teenagers in John Green’s books kind of converse like that. I figure he was probably that kind of teenager 😉
Definitely have been wanting to read this, now even more that you all are raving about it. Hoping there will be an April book I can join in on!
Hi Julie!
Is it possible to join your book club? Or is it one of those things where we just see the announcement of what you’re reading and then join in? I would love to join!
Abby
I think John Green was really *that* teenager who was little ahead of his time (he went to middle school with Dan – so weird to think about, right?) and talked like an adult. So much of this book made me bawl, but so much was really humorous and thought provoking. I still can’t get some of the “scenes” of out my head (in particular when she overheads her mother saying “I won’t be a mother anymore.” Omg how heartbreaking!!). I do recommend John Green’s other books — particularly Paper Towns (it takes place in Orlando!). Thankfully, they do no require as many tissues.
I’m so bummed that I didn’t get around to reading this yet. I’m halfway through like 6 books, but this sounds so good. I’m thinking I might bring it home from the library and start reading now anyway!
I read this book a few months ago so was excited to see what you would think. I agree 100% with your review. Loved everything about the book except for the fact that I found their dialogue a bit mature for teenagers at points. However, I could easily overlook this fact because I loved everything else! And it made me want to go back to Amsterdam..
I read the book quite a while ago but I remember two things:
1. I thought their conversations were believable for THEM. They weren’t conventional teens. The things they went through made them much more more mature than their peers. Add that to the fact that they try to fill time (ie: at chemo, while out sick from school, etc) they’re going to be much more well-read than the rest of their friends. I think that, for me, the fact that they were “kids with cancer” explains that major difference between them and teens that you are comparing them to.
2. I totally thought the book was going to end mid-sentence. And I was terrified that I wouldn’t know the ending.
I absolutely loved this book! Which I did not expect because I’m usually more of a cheesy happy endings, uplifting kinda girl. I’m not sure why it resonated so much with me, but it is one of my favorite reads now!
I totally thought the book would end mid-sentence! I had to exercise extreme self control to not check the last page.
The dialogue also drove me nuts from the very beginning. I had a tough time moving past it. Good read, though.
I am obsessed with John Green and often refer to him as MyHusbandJohnGreen (much to the chagrine of my actual husband. Name: Dan.) I loved his first book Looking for Alaska and thought no book would ever compete, but this one took the cake for me. As far as the dialogue between the teens, I love Green’s response to that. He says that plenty of teens DO speak like Gus and Hazel, but most adults don’t give them a chance to. I’m a teacher and I find myself constantly being surprised by the beauty in language and the depth of meaning my students have. Mostly it’s in their writing when they can craft their words with time and thought. That’s what his character’s make me think of. Hazel is telling us this story, and while she’s telling it as truly and authentically as she can, she’s also crafted a beautiful love story for us. I believe every minute of her memories of Gus even if a camera there watching them talk might show a slight change in vocabulary.
Sigh. When’s the next book coming out, my husband? 🙂
I read this book last year & fell in love with it. It made me want to be a better person.
Julie, I completely agree with you. I wrote a review here http://entirelynilda.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-fault-in-our-stars-book-review.html and I said the same thing about Hazel’s relationship with her parents. It was completely real and one of my favorite parts of the whole book!
While I do agree that Augustus and Hazel’s dialogue was a little unbelievable at times, I appreciated it so much more than having to read a book with “normal teen jargon” – how annoying would that have been!! We also have to remember that Augustus and Hazel weren’t your typical teenagers – they were more mature than most kids their age and they were also quite well-read. Regardless, I loved this book so much!
i emailed you my review a few days ago… http://ilikebigbooksblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/book-review-the-fault-in-our-stars-by-john-green/
Hm, I am always a month late with your club. Now when I heard your opinions I ordered the book immediately. The same happened with The happienes project and with The immortal life Henritta Lacks and both were awesome. I guess next time I will trust your instincts 🙂
If you like this book, I am sure you will love the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, a pancreatic cancer sufferer. I was literally in tears when I was reading the last chapter of this amazing book. It gives me more reason to fight for my dreams and not be worried about what other people think. 🙂
I loved this book! I finished it in about 2 days. I loved how honest and real it was….no sugar coating it at all. And I also thought the dialogue was somewhat unrealistic but I could get let that go 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what may’s book is gonna be!
I actually read this for my real life book club this month and most of our members came to the same conclusion you did–the book was great but the dialogue was unrealistic.
I personally was not a fan. I did appreciate a few of the passages in which Hazel reflected on her life as a cancer patient and what lay ahead in her ‘stars’. However, the whole story with van houten and their trip to amsterdam felt far fetched. His character felt too extreme. I felt that the novel wavered back and forth too much between being heartbreakingly realistic and rather ridiculous.
On a side note, did anyone else REALLLLY want them to hit up the red light district on their trip? When in amsterdam….
I loved this book! I didn’t realize that he has other books out there so I might have to check them out.
Hi, I just noticed this review and wondered if you would like to link it in to the new monthly collection of books that people loved on Carole’s Chatter. This is the link There are already quite a few books linked in that you might be interested in. It would be great if you came on over. Cheers
AH Agree. Very lovable, real characters, and definitely gives the blunt truth to the dismal situations. Made me cry for sure. I read this book a little over a year ago on my sister’s recommendation, and am still recommending it highlyyyy.
I’ve just finished this book after seeing that you read and reviewed it and hearing lots of good things from others (I didn’t read your actual review beforehand so as not to spoil the story!) I fell completely in love with the characters, the story and the style of writing (not to mention the focus on Holland, as a girl with a Dutch mother!)
I very much enjoyed Hazel and Augustus’ interaction – their language choice, content and humour were quite brilliant and sophisticated in equal measure. They conversed in a style somewhat beyond their years, but I felt that it added to the intrigue for the reader and reflected two very mature and challenging souls embodied by youth and illness.
It was beautifully tragic, emotive and excellently crafted – thank you so much PBF for the recommendation.
“I lit up like a Christmas tree.”