John Green has said that "the title is inspired by a famous line from Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. The nobleman Cassius says to Brutus, 'The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.'"
The Fault in our Stars is presented in current day Indianapolis Indiana. It is about a sixteen year old girl with lung cancer, named Hazel Grace Lancaster. She tells the story in first person. Hazel barely ever interacts with other people besides her two parents, and spends most of her time alone. She is put in a support group for people with cancer after being diagnosed with clinical depression. This is where she meets Augustus Waters, and eventually falls in love with him.
The main characters are as follows:
- Hazel Grace Lancaster, When she was 13 years old, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Now at sixteen years old, she likes to be called Hazel. Augustus Waters, and sometimes her dad, call her Hazel Grace. She loves the book "An Imperial Affliction" by Peter Van Houten.
- Augustus Waters is seventeen years old and lost his leg to Osteosarcoma. He loves the video game "The Price of Dawn". He has even read all the book versions.
- Isaac is Augustus' best friend. He eventually becomes blind due to eye cancer. He gets dumped by his girlfriend, Monica, early on in the book. After this, and gets comforted by Hazel and Augustus.
- Peter Van Houten. The alcoholic author of "An Imperial Affliction". He lives in Amsterdam with his maid, Lidewij Vliegenthart.
- Lidewij Vliegenthart. Has worked for Van Houten for some time. It is her that is responsible for getting Hazel and Augustus invited to Amsterdam.
- Mrs Lancaster, Hazel's mother. She is very protective of Hazel but in a good way.
- Mr Lancaster, Hazel's father. He loves Hazel very much and helps her all he can.
- Mrs Waters, Augustus' mother. A good mom and loves Augustus a lot.
- Mr Waters, Augustus' father. A loving dad and supportive of his son.
- Patrick used to have testicular cancer. He is now a social worker who runs the support group where Hazel and Augustus meet.
- Kaitlyn. Hazel's only friend left from high school. Hazel describes Kaitlyn this way, "extremely sophisticated twenty-five-year-old British socialite stuck inside a sixteen-year-old body in Indianapolis".
“Green writes books for young adults, but his voice is so compulsively readable that it defies categorization. The Fault in Our Stars proves that the hype surrounding Green is not overblown.” -National Public Radio. I liked this review because I have read "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" also by John Green and I agree with the statement. He really does write in a way that makes it very easy for me to understand and feel the story. The Fault in Our Stars makes you think, and puts you on the same roller coaster of emotions that the characters face. It's an easy 5/5 stars and I recommend that everyone read it as soon as possible.
I went into the book not knowing anything about it. The only reason I decided to read it was because of the author's association with the Vlogbrothers, and that I had enjoyed "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" (which I definitely recommend). I am very glad I decided to give it a try. The Fault in Our Stars gave me an opportunity to see things that are completely out of my typical day to day life, yet emotions I could very much relate to. It's definitely changed how I look at many things, and it really impacted me. TFiOS is an inspiring book. I recommend this book not just because I liked it. I recommend it because I want others to feel it's power and to learn some of what I have learned. Everyone should read this book, I honestly can say, "You wont regret it."
My regards,
-Matt
You can get The Fault in Our Stars at http://www.amazon.ca/Fault-Our-Stars-John-Green /dp/0525478817 or http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Fault-In-Our-Stars-John-Green/9780525478812-item.html?cookieCheck=1
Check out Vlogbrothers (John makes videos every Tuesday, his brother hank makes them on Friday):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_FzrUXOZEc&list=UUGaVdbSav8xWuFWTadK6loA&index=20&feature=plcp
Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fault_in_Our_Stars
http://johngreenbooks.com/the-fault-in-our-stars/
Matt,
ReplyDeletewow! do you have a copy? I need to read this book. In my mind a recommendation like this is better than Christmas. I gather from you writing that it is a very difficult book to read as well. I also really liked the explanation of the title and reference to Shakespeare. I can see you in the play someday!
keep it up
TC
Thanks very much. The book is very difficult to read, especially closer to the end. I worked very hard on the review, it took many hours of hard work. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteMatthew,
ReplyDeleteThis is your best blog post ever!!!!!! Great review on The Fault in Our Stars! I will definitively read the book.
Sid
Nice blog post look forward to seeing more great posts like this one.Btw tell me when you have the book available for me thanks.
ReplyDelete