September 2, 2013

The Fault in Our Stars



The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Teen Fiction
2012 Dutton
Finished 7/17/13
Rating: 4.75/5 (Outstanding)





Publisher’s Blurb:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

I’m not a very eclectic reader. I tend to stick to general fiction, mysteries, and memoirs. Every once in a while, I’ll pick up a book about World War II or a highly recommended science fiction novel, and this past year I’ve joined my granddaughter in some young readers. But I don’t usually read teen fiction. Oh, I got sucked into the Twilight series, as well as The Hunger Games, but I wouldn’t consider myself an avid fan. The teenage angst annoys me and I find myself getting impatient with the drawn out tension between the characters. However, in just three months, I’ve read three teen novels. Three! Since the first two were such big winners, and after hearing so much praise for John Green’s works, I decided to give The Fault in Our Stars a try. I didn’t read the jacket blurb and I ignored all the online reviews and dove in cold. Well, I knew it was about two teens with cancer, but that was it.

In a word, this was unputdownable! After only reading 70 pages, I knew I wanted to read everything by Green.

Yes, it’s sad (ok, heartbreaking) and it made me cry, but it’s a beautifully rendered story about friendship and first loves and, yes, loss. The writing is intelligent and humorous. The dialogue is authentic and tight. The characters come to life and I came to care about Hazel Grace and Augustus as if they were people I knew.

But I can’t tell you any more. It’s a book you have to discover for yourselves. And if I can’t convince you, take a look at all the accolades this novel has received:

TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012
An Entertainment Weekly Best Fiction Book of 2012
John Green is one of Entertainment Weekly’s Entertainers of the Year, 2012
#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
International Bestseller
#1 Children’s Indiebound Pick
New York Times Editor’s Choice
The Huffington Post Best Books of 2012
A Booklist Books for Youth Editor’s Choice
The Horn Book Fanfare List
A Publishers Weekly Best Book
A School Library Journal Best Book
Unprecedented EIGHT starred reviews

And, from the author of one of my all-time favorite books ever:

A novel of life and death and the people caught in between, The Fault in our Stars is John Green at his best. You laugh, you cry, and then you come back for more.– Markus Zusak, bestselling and Printz Honor–winning author of The Book Thief

Final Thoughts: 

When I realized I had turned to the final page, I cried out, “No!” I wanted more. I wasn’t ready to leave these people and their story. So, I will buy a copy for my keeper shelf and I will read this book again. And I will share it with my granddaughter when she’s older. And I will anxiously await the release of the movie.

22 comments:

  1. I thought this was so unputdownable, too. I spend one Monday night weeping my way through the latter half of the book, but not being able to stop. So good!

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    1. I know some might be turned off by the cancer story and the probability of shedding tears, but in spite of the sadness, I thought it was so well written. I know I'll read it again.

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  2. I'm not much for teen reads and maybe get through one each year. I only read the first Twilight book when Twin A insisted, but couldn't read the others, and avoided The Hunger Games entirely (much to the dismay of Daughter #1). My book club read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson a few years ago and I thought that was excellent.

    Couldn't resist clicking over to amazon for a closer look and found the kindle version of The Fault in Our Stars for $3.99. Looks like that will be my YA book this year - thanks!

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    1. I hope you enjoy it! It's much more substantial than Twilight and The Hunger Games.

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  3. I loved this book too. It is so full of heart and emotion.

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    1. Yep. I hope his other books are just as good.

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  4. It made you want to read everything by Green? That says a lot!

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    1. I know! I'm going to try to pace myself though. I think I'll try another in a couple of months.

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  5. I have to read this one now -- even though I usually skip YA --just sounds so good.

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    1. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

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  6. Yes, Les, I agree. Such a real, powerful story.

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    1. Perfect description, Deb! Real and powerful.

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  7. A wonderful story! I loved this book. A suggestion for your next teen book (whenever that may be) - "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein. An incredible story of friendship between two young English women in WWII.

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    1. I need to go back and see if you blogged about this one, Lee. Thanks for the recommendation for Code Name Verity. I'll see if we have it at work. Sounds good!

      Speaking of work, I'm so sorry to hear about the B&N closings in Fort Worth!! :(

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  8. I have yet to read John Green. I'm so glad you liked this one! I need to step it up.

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    1. Oh, wow! I thought you were one of his fans! Yes, you need to step it up. ;)

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  9. I felt the same way after reading it, and immediately began An Abundance of Katherines and loved it, but then decided to pace myself. Thank you for reminding me, I need another fix from this author!

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    1. I plan to read An Abundance of Katherines next, but I think I'll try to pace myself, too. Maybe I'll read it in a couple of months.

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  10. I'm sad to say that I didn't have the same experience as you with this book. To begin with, Green does not wow me like he does the majority of the population, and this one didn't change my mind. I found many components to be over-the-top and not authentic. I rated it as "just okay."

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    1. So none of his books have wowed you, huh? We can still be friends. :)

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    2. Whew! That's a relief! :)

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