The fault in our stars

I have smiled, laughed and cried during the 1.5 days of reading this book. My curiosity got the better of me and I finally decided to start it one night, before bed. What I thought was going to be 10 minutes of reading, turned into an hour... I couldn't help but think about it the next few nights before falling asleep.

The Plot 

I was hooked from the first chapter, which rarely happens. At first I thought it was a predictable romance, like in A Walk To Remember, but it wasn't at all. The twist blindsided me! But I love it! Basically, Hazel Grace, has cancer and attends Support Group meetings. At one of these meetings, she meets Augustus Waters. They fall in love bla bla bla... you get it.

The Characters

Hazel - She has an interesting outlook on the world, and life. She is portrayed as vulnerable and strong at the same time, if that makes sense (if it doesn't, read the book!). At one point, she thinks of herself as being a 'grenade', which may explode at any moment and hurt the people she loves.

Augustus - As girls, we all wish to find someone like Gus here (unless you've already found him). He's so loving, supportive, considerate and says the most unbelievable things (in a good way). He is am amputee as a result of cancer.

Peter Van Houten - Was described as an 'assclown' by Gus haha. This character highlights that there's good in everyone, and that there's usually a reason for their mistreatment of others.

The Love Story 

The relationship developed slowly, and there were moments of doubt, which makes it realistic. I completely fell in love with the love story and their relationship. I wanted to be Hazel. Despite having cancer and through all the suffering, she managed to find something worthwhile (other than her parents). I also love the 'okay' as a form of flirting between Hazel and Gus. It adds to their relationship.

The Writing

 Green's writing flows so well, and he makes the characters come to life. Saying this, there were many sections in Van Houten's letters and conversations between Hazel and Gus which I had to re-read. Even then, I did not understand it completely. I just can't imagine 17 year olds speaking like that. 

The events were made to seem so real. For instance, towards the end when Hazel witnessed Gus' inability to take care of himself (when he pissed the bed, and when he called her to help him).

There are so many memorable quotes:

• "The existence of broccoli does not in any way affect the taste of chocolate"
• "I bought them a minute. Maybe that's the minute that buys them an hour, which is the hour that buys them a year"
• "The world isn't a wish granting factory"
• "Some infinities are bigger than other infinities"
• "His sisters were there with their banker husbands and three kids, all boys, who ran up to me and chanted who are you who are you who are you, running circles around the entryway like lung capacity was a renewable resource"
• "Pain  is like fabric: The stronger it is, the more it's worth"
• "You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world... but you do have some say in who hurts you"

 You should read The Fault In Our Stars if you:

1. want to experience an emotional rollercoaster
2. haven't had a good cry in a while
3. haven't experienced love
4. love reading/books
5. don't love reading/books

If you don't want to read it, the movie is expected to be realeased in mid 2014. Mark your calendars, June 6!!

Image. Shailene Woodley as Hazel. Perfect!

Image. Ansel Elgort as Gus. Not what I envisioned, but not too bad.

Image. Now this is what I pictured.

Any other differing thoughts about the book? If you loved A Walk to Remember, PS I Love You or My Sister's Keeper then read it!