Author: John Green
Genre: General Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Number of pages: 313
Date published: January 2012
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Recommended? Yes
Oftentimes, young adult fiction is full of books that are pure entertainment: novels about teens and partying, high school romantic affairs, and, of course, an abundance of drama. What’s more rare is a teen novel with substance; a book with both an entertaining story and meaning. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is one of those unique stories. We get a look into the life of Hazel Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer, which has unfortunately spread into her lungs. Hazel is surviving and able to live her life to some extent, yet she realizes that her disease will soon finish her off.
While the book is told from the perspective of a cancer patient, it is not the typical “cancer novel.” Hazel attends a weekly support group, which she usually dreads, until she meets a 17-year-old osteosarcoma survivor named Augustus Waters. Hazel and Augustus immediately form a bond, growing close through their witty personalities, life experiences, and An Imperial Affliction, Hazel’s favorite book by Peter Van Houten.
The Fault in Our Stars is a beautiful, funny, heartwarming, and upsetting book that will leave readers laughing and crying in equal measure. The aftermath consists of thinking about life in a much deeper way. The characters are vivid, lifelike, and instantly relatable. Readers will form bonds with them, rejoicing in their triumphs and worrying along with them in the toughest moments. The language itself is easy to read and understand, yet it is simultaneously witty and elegant. Particularly special to The Fault in Our Stars is that it can be read for literary value as well as entertainment, containing many popular references and powerful meanings to uncover, as well as important life questions to consider. People of all ages, though particularly teens and young adults, will love this beautiful book, which will leave an enormous impact on whomever chooses to read it.
Review by Caitlin Mason, A&S '16