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Monday, August 27, 2012

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green


About book:

 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.

My thoughts:

Sobbing.  That is all I did with this book.  Okay, so I laughed a bit, too.  But, mainly I cried.  How could I not?  This is the story of two teenagers living with cancer who fall in love.  So, yes I knew I would wind up with red eyes and people asking me why I had just been crying.  However, I could not pass on this book - everyone, and it really did seem like everyone, had been raving about it for so long, that I knew I just had to read it ASAP.  And, so I did.

Hazel Grace Lancaster has cancer in her lungs and carries around an oxygen tank everywhere she goes.  Augustus Waters has a prosthetic leg and likes to carry a pack of cigarettes around with him and pretend to smoke.  They meet one night at support group and from that moment on they are smitten with one another - and you are smitten with them.  

How could you not be:

"...The guy was still staring at me.  I felt rather blushy.  Finally, I decided that the proper strategy was to stare back.  Boys do not have the monopoly on the Staring Business, after all.  So I looked him over as Patrick acknowledged for the thousandth time his ball-lessness etc., and soon it was a staring contest.  After a while the boy smiled, and then finally his blue eyes glanced away.  When he looked back at me, I flicked my eyebrows up to say, I win. "

"Ma'am," Augustus said, nodding toward her, "your daughter's car has just been deservedly egged by a blind man.  Please close the door and go back in side or we'll be forced to call the police."

"...I was kidding, Hazel Grace.  I understand. (But we both know that okay is a very flirty word.  Okay is BURSTING with sensuality.)..."

Seriously!  You can't help but fall in love with these two characters who feel so real and genuine, that you find yourself bawling whenever something bad happens to them.  Because, after everything they have had to endure and continue to deal with, you want these two teens to enjoy their lives.  You want them to get their happily ever after.  Of course, life isn't fair and sometimes authors need to write a realistic ending - and you wind up sobbing.  But it doesn't matter, since you have just finished reading an amazing story about two unforgettable characters who get to experience the brilliance that is falling in love. 

So, pick up this book and enjoy.  You will not be disappointed! 

11 comments:

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

Oh, my goodness. I have been planning to read this and I might as well do it sooner rather than later because everyone loves it! I'll make sure to have my tissues handy for all the times I wipe my nose brom blubbering away!

Joan Hunter Dunn said...

I'd read someone on Twitter praising this book & so really pleased to read a review longer than 140 characters. I really want to read this now.

Nadia said...

Natalie, read this book - you will love it! And, definitely have the tissues on hand ;)

Joan, you will not be disappointed! This book is so good!

Lisa said...

I think I'm definitely going to have to pick this one up soon - but I'll have to wait to read it until I'm in the right mood. Can you imagine reading something that makes a person sob when you were already having a down day?!

Amy said...

I've heard a lot about this book, but just keep passing it by for some reason. So glad to hear you enjoyed it so much.

Ti said...

I really loved this book. I loved everything about it. The characters, that he didn't shy away from illness and make everything easy and perfect, that the parents were present but not in your face, etc.

Athira said...

I've been hearing so much about this book! I really should be reading this one now.

Bellezza said...

I just picked this novel up this very afternoon. After placing it on hold at our library this Summer I'm glad it's finally here! I'll be looking forward to reading your review in detail, and discussing it with you, when I finish.

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Rebecca @ Love At First Book said...

I'm not a romance fan, but this book sounds really great! I also have been wanting to read John Green since a few of the bloggers I follow have been RAVING about having met him recently. Sounds like this book is a great way to start!

Rebecca @ Love at First Book

grace crawford said...

Ah, this really was an emotional book, wasn't it? :') After hearing all the buzz last year I wasn't sure if it would live up to my expectations, but it really did. And the ending killed me, too! So bittersweet. Wonderful review!

regards,
grace of Hunting Knives