Romantic, witty, and touching, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green graces upon the topic of terminal illness through a teenage love story.
Through the eyes of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen year-old diagnosed with stage four thyroid cancer, John Green begins the emotional story at a cancer support group meeting. “A boy was staring at me…. I walked into the circle and sat down next to Isaac… He was still watching me.”(Green 9). There, she meets a boy that will leave a lasting imprint on her life, Augustus Waters. Their relationship deepens as they share their love for the book, An Imperial Affliction, and their experiences with terminal illness. “‘Imagine taking that last drive to the hospital,’ I said quietly. ‘The last time you’ll ever drive a car.’”(Green 19). In a short span of time, Augustus and Hazel go from friends to something more. When Augustus confesses his love for Hazel, she hesitates whether or not to start their relationship. Although the two share mutual feelings, she fears that she will only cause pain to him and her family.
The plot thickens, when Hazel and Augustus are given the opportunity to meet Peter Van Houten, the author of An Imperial Affliction. Upon meeting him, they discover he is a depressed alcoholic, mourning for his dead daughter, a victim of cancer. They are disappointed, but do not let him ruin their night. Shortly after returning home, Augustus reveals that he has only a few months left to live. Hazel is devastated, but supports him through his relapse. During his last days, Hazel realizes the importance of time and spending it with her loved ones.
Although the depressing subject of cancer pulls readers away from the book, John
Green’s clever humor balances the mood and draws them back in. His strength as an author is clearly proven as he narrates the complex love story through a girl’s perspective with eloquence and accuracy. The book provides readers with the morals of love, friendship, and family. The Fault in Our Stars is definitely the book of the year.