Review Detail

While I wasn’t blown away by this one as so many other were, I did really enjoy it. I read it through in three sessions, interrupted only by sleep and classes. I didn’t cry which probably makes me a horrible person, especially since I’m a total cry baby, but I was still moved by Hazel and Augustus’ story. The Fault in Our Stars deals with a very tough, sad subject, but overall it didn’t feel sad. There were some very sad parts, hence the expectation to cry, but there’s the theme of hope weaved throughout the whole story.

I’ve noticed that all of John Green’s main characters seem to be quite pretentious. Hazel is no exception, but I like that. She may be dying of cancer, but she still displays humor, cynicism, brains, and caring. She even falls into some of those stereotypes of how people treat cancer patients, which she hates. I absolutely loved Augustus from the moment we met him! He’s hilarious and sweet and just completely loveable.

The one thing I did not like about this book was the whole Peter Von Houten plot. He played an important role in the story, but at the end I found his actions very unbelievable and just irritating. I know a lot of the plot couldn’t have happened without him, but I still just didn’t like it.

I’m never really sure how to review Green’s books. He’s obviously a talented writer, and I do enjoy his books. I just don’t know what to say without spoiling anything! The Fault in Our Stars is heartwarming, funny, sad, moving, so many things in one. I’m not familiar with the cancer process, but it felt like a very realistic portrayal with ups and downs.