The Fault in Our Stars- Z's Book Review and Summary

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- Z’s Review

Book: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Recommended age: 12 and above

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Review

The book ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ was a sad and dramatic book, though it was also funny and sweet other times. Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters both show meaning of life and together they learn how to fight cancer, the right way. This story has all perfect components such as humor, excitement, beauty, anger, romance, depression, friendship, sadness, bravery, despair, courage and so much more. John Green makes sure to provide you a long ride on the roller coaster of emotion with some extra jumps too! This book was very hard to put down and the authors writing style pulls you into the story and connects you the different experiences of  both the lead characters Hazel and Gus. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

SPOILER ALERT

Book Summary

The book, The Fault in Our Stars’ is an intriguing story about a boy and a girl who are both diagnosed with cancer. There’s Hazel Grace Lancaster, a beautiful and strong 16 year old who has thyroid cancer; because of which she has to carry around an oxygen tank with her everywhere! This and the reason that she could have attacks due to her cancer are two big reasons she doesn’t go to school. Instead she just sits in her room all day, every day watching television and reading her favorite book ‘An Imperial Affliction’. If she is not sitting in her room, she was either at the hospital or socializing with her parents. Until one day Hazel’s mom decided to send her to the dreaded support group, she was skeptic to join. There she became friends with two boys around her age, Isaac and Gus. Isaac had a tumor in one eye and though that was taken out, it had spread to the other eye which was to be removed too. The other boy there was Augustus Waters who had cancer in his leg (osteosarcoma) before he got it amputated. Though, he was just there to support his best friend, Isaac. Gus and Hazel started meeting up and talking to each other about their cancer disability and just general conversations. Hazel loved every moment because she finally had someone to talk to her age that won’t make fun of her. They talked a lot about books, Gus recommended ‘The Price of Dawn’ a book with soldiers and killing. But Hazel was not interested in that, instead she recommended ‘An Imperial Affliction’ which was about a girl with cancer. She loved it because she felt that she could share her feelings with the girl in the book because she too was suffering similarly. After that, Gus and Hazel talked a lot about ‘An Imperial Affliction’ and wondered about the book’s ending and text. When Hazel expressed that she would love to go meet her favorite book’s writer in Amsterdam, Gus decided something. Because he just loved Hazel so much, he was going to use his dying wish on her. A dying wish was a hospital funded wish that lets you do anything you want before you die. Most kids like Hazel used it to go to Disney World. but there Gus was spending it on his girlfriend. The problem was getting there! By that I don't mean transportation but I mean getting there with all of Hazel’s equipment in her bad condition. But in the end Gus saved it all, he convinced her worried parents and doctors that she could make it through and next thing you know Gus, Hazel, and Hazel’s mom are heading to Amsterdam. There, they met Hazel’s idol, Van Houten, author of “An Imperial Affliction”. But... He was the exact opposite of what they thought he would be. Instead of a kind, great, and smart elderly man he was dumb, and alcoholic and very rude. He insulted the couple and told them that he couldn't answer Hazel’s questions. The two were heartbroken when Van Houten said this and immediately left the house, while Hazel cried. Hazel and Gus tour Amsterdam together when Gus unveils a terrible secret, his Cancer has come back and spread all around his body. Before Hazel thought that she was a grenade that would hurt people if she died, until she realized than Gus was the real grenade. When they got back home, Gus begged for Hazel and Isaac to write eulogies for him to say at his funeral. The truth was sad but Gus’s two best friends wrote them with great meaning. 8 days later, Gus dies and as Hazel cried and tells all Gus’s family and friends about how much she loved and still loves him when she sees Van Houten. He later approached her and answer all her questions telling her that the main character of his book was his daughter who died and then after that he didn't know how to live his life properly. He explained that he was sorry about before and that after that fiasco, Gus got in contact with him and told him to come see Hazel. At first Hazel had a blank reaction and then she finally told him to leave, sober up, and write another book.

Eventually Hazel learned that Gus sent written essays to Van Houten for him to write a proper eulogy for Hazel because he wouldn't be able to it himself.

 Theme

In your opinion, what is the theme of the story?

Don’t let your conflicts hinder you  

How did the protagonist change throughout the story as influenced by the thematic elements? ( Use several examples of text evidence to support your answer)

She learns that there is a life worth living even when you have cancer

-She lives in her bedroom with just her family until Gus comes up to her and takes her on adventures

-Gus shows Hazel that just because she has cancer doesn't mean she’s dead, it just means that you are unique and have different opportunities

About the Author-John Green

John Green has wrote many astounding books. Some of his books are Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson, and The Fault in Our Stars. His book, The Fault in Our Stars was debuted as the number one book on The New York Times bestseller list! His two most popular books (The Fault in our Stars and Paper Towns) have both been created into movies, both very successful. It has recently been announced that John Green’s third most popular book, Looking for Alaska, will soon become a movie, as it is in production now. John Green, born in Indiana, started having an interest in writing very early in life. During his schooling in Alabama, he decided to write his first book (Looking for Alaska). He graduated from Kenyon College with a Kenyon College with a double degree in English and Religious studies. One thing that you might not have not known about John Green is that he's not just popular for his writing! He's also popular for his YouTube channel with his brother, Hank Green. Hank Green was born in Alabama and he’s known for his musical talent. Together the brothers created a Youtube account called VlogBrothers where they shoot videos of their lives and just fun stuff in general.