'The Fault In Our Stars' by John Green

The first book I read this year was 'The Fault In Our Stars' by John Green. I had this pre-ordered about a year in advance, so when it turned up on my door step I eagerly devoured it. 

For those who don't know, John Green writes young adult (YA) novels, and they are all excellent. His previous novels include - 'Looking For Alaska', 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson', 'An Abundance of Katherines' and 'Paper Towns'. John Green has a youtube channel which he shares with his brother called the vlogbrothers. It is incredibly popular and has spawned a group of people called 'Nerdfighters'. John is a lovely guy, he signed all 150,000 pre-orders of 'The Fault In Our Stars'! Mine has a lovely blue Jsquiggle in it.

Ok, enough about John, what about the book?? 

Photocredit- Gemsmaquillage

What is it about? 

A 16 year old girl called Hazel, has terminal cancer, but the tumours have shrunk, thanks to a new miracle drug. She has to carry an oxygen tank with her at all times. She is forced to attend a cancer support club which is where she meets Augustus. The two of them very quickly form a bond, and Hazel forces Gus to read her favourite book and it quickly becomes his favourite and it becomes a large part of the story line. Being with Augustus pushes Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death will define her. 

What did I think of it?

Oh my days, I found it absolutely breathtaking!  

It's not the cheeriest topic- it's about teenagers with cancer- but there is something special about this book. This book is about cancer, but it is not the cancer that is important in the novel. It never suffers from cancer book clichés, it shows the truth, and doesn't gloss over it. More than cancer, this book is about the meaning of life, living with death, the effect you have on the world and love. It will make you sob, and feel like your heart has been torn out, but somehow it also manages to make you laugh, even in the saddest parts. Not just a little smile to yourself, but a proper, out loud laugh! It just shows how brilliant John Green's writing is- the whole novel is beautifully written.  The characters are incredibly likeable and well portrayed. I know John has suffered some criticisms for the fact his teenage characters speak so cleverly and with great intelligence, but I don't think that should be an issue at all. It's a joy to read the dialogue in the book, it's like a breath of fresh air.

Once I'd finished the book, I physically felt different inside. It was so strange. It was a very emotional few hours (I read it in one sitting) and I actually felt worn out afterwards but in a good way. My mind was just blown away by it. I sat there in the early hours of the morning, quietly just taking it all in, and coming to terms with what I had experienced.

Rating

If you have read it,  please let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear your opinions on it.

What other people have to say

Green’s best and most ambitious novel to date. In its every aspect, The Fault in Our Stars is a triumph.” -Booklist, starred review

“A smartly crafted intellectual explosion of a romance.” -Kirkus, starred review

A blend of melancholy, sweet, philosophical, and funny. Green shows us true love…and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach.” -New York Times Book Review

“One doesn’t like to throw around phrases like “instant classic” lightly, but I can see The Fault in Our Stars taking its place alongside Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret in the young-adult canon. Green’s book is also a good example of why so many adult readers are turning to young-adult literature for the pleasures and consolations they used to get from conventional literary fiction.” -Time

“Green writes books for young adults, but his voice is so compulsively readable that it defies categorization. The Fault in Our Stars proves that the hype surrounding Green is not overblown.” -NPR

#1 New York Times bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal bestseller
#9 The Bookseller (UK) bestseller
#1 Indiebound bestseller
New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice

Goodreads Reading Challenge
This book is number 1 out of 50