The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Bibliography:

Green, John. The Fault In Our Stars. New York: Dutton Books, a division of Penguin Group (USA), 2012. ISBN 9780525478812

Plot Summary:

Hazel Grace has terminal cancer. How could she not be depressed about dying? Her romantic suitor distracted her in such a wonderful way, her spirits were lifted just enough for her to enjoy her present time. Hazel distracted Augustus enough to do the same.

Critical Analysis:

John Green wrote a contemporary realistic fiction novel about a female protagonist (Hazel Grace) that was dying of cancer. This book is not about how to deal with cancer or cancer fundraisers. This witty story is about enjoying life in spite of having cancer. The gender roles are not stereotypical. First example is the fact that Hazel does not wait by the phone for Augustus to call, while Augustus wants to talk to her every minute of the day. Second example, Isaac is destroyed by Monica dumping him. Usually the girl is destroyed by the boy dumping her. Third example, the mother always appears strong for her daughter's sake. The father cries often, unable to control his emotions in front of his daughter. The characters are portrayed as real people dealing with real problems. I can see myself as both the mother and father. I would try my hardest to be strong in front of my child. I would also break down and cry because my children are my world. Parents can relate to these characters just as I did. Children with cancer can relate to Hazel, Augustus, and Isaac.

The Plot is ambiguous. On one hand, it is dying of cancer and everyone affected by that horrific outcome. On the other hand, it is trying to find out what happened to the other characters in An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. I believe the truth behind Hazel Grace wanting to know what happened to the other characters is her wanting to know if her parents will be okay when she passes. She does not want her parents to suffer showing how strong, caring and self-less her character can be. Augustus is charismatic, strong, caring, and self-less. They are a perfect fit. As though it was in the stars for them to meet and fall in love. Peter Van Houten wrote an e-mail in reponse to Augustus. In his e-mail he referred to a quote from Shakespear's Julius Caesar that read, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves" (p. 111). The title of this book is stating the fault is in their stars because it is out of their control. It is not an effect of something they did.

I love the symbolism in Augustus not lighting the cigarette in his mouth. It is having control over something in his life when not being able to control what cancer does to him. I dislike the symbolism in the swing set reminding Hazel of her life before cancer. She can't go back to that life ever. Is it just me, but is Anne Frank's house symbolism in another adolescent dying young due to circumstances she has no control over?

 The imagery in describing Amsterdam and the "confetti" makes me want to visit Amsterdam in the Spring. The imagery used to describe her "lungs swimming in fluid" in which there is more fluid than lungs reminds me of my mom nearly dying in the hospital post-surgery. She was drowning from the IV because her kidneys did not pump the fluid out. That was not a good memory, but I understood exactly what she meant.

The theme seems to be true love. These mature teenagers were head over heels in love. The kind of love every girl dreams of. It was beautiful to see the romance bloom. It was also hard, knowing that they will not survive long enough to enjoy it for much longer.

The style is pure brilliance. The author is brilliant with his ambiguity, symbolism, metaphors, and imagery and irony. The detail in organizing the flow of the story is flawless. The chapters are about 9 pages front and back. The pages are thick and off white. The font appears to be New Times Roman, 14 pt. Having Hazel narrate the story in first person helped us understand her and what she was thinking every step of the way. It helped us relate, laugh, cry, and care for her and the other characters involved. John Green did a wonderful job including teenager dialect, if you will. The teenagers used words like, "shit," "like," "whatever," and "or something." These were not typical teenagers, however. They were mature teenagers with an immense vocabulary and deep thoughts.

Augustus gave Hazel the closure she needed instead of leaving her hanging in the middle of a sentence. He wrote her obituary explaining how wonderful she was and how much he loved her. Her parents gave her closure by explaining they will be okay when she passes. She was so worried about hurting people when she passes. The irony here is that Augustus passed away first.

I want to read this book repeatedly as Hazel read An Imperial Affliction.

The acknowledgements discuss a young girl named Esther Grace Earl that died from cancer. She was born in August and died in August. I would say this little girl was the inspiration for The Fault In Our Stars. I went to tswgo.org to read more about this star child.

Review Excerpts:

BookList Editors' Choice: Books For Youth- 2012

TIME Magazine's #1 Fiction Book of 2012

#1 New York Times bestseller

#1 Wall Street Journal bestsseller

#1 USA Today Bestseller

CBC Awards, Teen Book of the Year 2013

From School Library Journal: "The Fault In Our Stars is an achingly beautiful story about life and loss."

From Publisher's Weekly: "But this iteration is smart, witty, profoundly sad, and full of questions worth asking, even those like "Why me?" that have no answer."

From BookList: "Beautifully conceived and executed, this story artfully examines the largest possible considerations—life, love, and death—with sensitivity, intelligence, honesty, and integrity."

Connections:

Gather other John Green books to read such as:

• Green, John. Turtles All The Way Down. ISBN 9780525555360
• Green, John. Paper Towns. ISBN 9780525478188
• Green, John. An Abundance of Katherines. ISBN 9780525476887
• Green, John. Looking for Alaska. ISBN 978052547064

Use as author spotlight display. Use as an author introduction. 

Gather similar books to read such as:

• Lippincott, Rachael. Five Feet Apart. ISBN 9781534437333
• Yoon, Nicola. Everything, Everything. ISBN 9780553496673
• Yoon, Nicola. The Sun is Also a Star. ISBN 9780553496710

Use in book talks. Use to compare and contrast. Use to open up question opportunities on health issues.