Book Review,
“Fault in Our Stars…”
By, John Green.
Well, if you haven’t read this magnificent novel, I assume that you must have watched the movie. With all honesty, this novel will make you burst into tears, unless you made of stone.
In this book, I will elaborate all the major milestones of the lives of Hazel and Augustus.
Who should read the Fault in Our Stars and why?
The actual question is who shouldn’t?
From the bottom of my heart, I advise you to read the novel or watch this life altering movie. This movie is specially recommended to teenagers who are enchanted by such narratives.
About John Green:-
He is a renowned American author, actor, producer and an editor whose works have been featured in several newspapers , magazines , journals. So far he has written seven books.
The story starts with the overview of a seventeen-year-old girl Hazel Grace, who unenthusiastically attends a support group for cancer patients, as a guest. The support group was organized in the church. Due to her medical condition, she is bound to use an oxygen mask, and she carries an oxygen tank with her at all time.
The chronicle arrangement of this novel takes a turn when Hazel unexpectedly becomes interested in one of the boys of the group. They both have a slight conversation with the guy outside the church and she gets to know his name is Augustus Waters. Unlike all the other members of the group, Augustus has no illness he just comes to support his friend Isaac who got his one eye removed and he might get his second eye removed as well…
The chemistry between these two reaches another level, when Augustus breaks the ice by saying that Hazel resembles Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta.
He invites her to hang out and watch the movie at his place . In the meantime, they both share their cancer experience, and Hazel tells him about her medical situation as well.
To add it here, Augustus was also diagnosed with cancer, but he is in good medical condition. Because of the osteosarcoma, doctors had to surgically remove his leg. Before going to Augustus’ house, both make a deal to read their favorite novels to one another. Hazel’s favorite one was An Imperial Affliction. And Augustus’ was The Price of Dawn
So, Hazel starts first with her novel. It’s about a girl named Anna, who’s also diagnosed with cancer. Hazel points out that Anna’s journey of life reminds her of everything she is going through.
Next up, Augustus and Hazel dive deep into the book, to mine out the meaning of the story. An Imperial Affliction. August surprises Hazel by revealing that he is touch with Van
Houten’s assistant, Lidewij; and they may be able to pass a few questions to the author.
What Hazel bothers the most, is how the things will shape up for Anna’s mother after her daughter’s death.
Hazel figures out that if Anna’s parents are okay, she will have a peace of mind, in such case. Van Houten agrees to unravel Hazel’s mysteries but only in person, and invites her to
Amsterdam.
Augustus once again leaves Hazel open-mouthed, when she heard about the grant from a charitable foundation, which helps kids with cancer. This organization agrees to cover her
costs and make her wish come true.
Although she is happy and feels really great with Augustus, she is uncertain about their joint future, as a couple due to her illness. She says that one way or the other, he’ll end up hurt,
and compares her situation to a grenade.
At the heat of the moment, Hazel suffers another “lung” attack, and she has to be hospitalized. As it turns out, her lungs were filled with fluid, and the body reacted, fiercely. Upon her
discharge from the hospital, finds out that Augusts never left the waiting room.
He spices things up, with yet another letter from Van Houten, which is more personal than the last one.
Hazel gets all worked up by the letter, and now she is firm in her decision to visit Amsterdam. Nonetheless, not everyone is pleased with this idea, and the doctors recommend her to
stay put, because her “condition” is prone to changes, and she mustn’t travel.
Dr. Maria with its perspective on the situation tips the balance in favor of Hazel and supports her liveness.
Hazel and Augustus are good to go, and the final plans are made before their trip to Amsterdam. A simple twist of reality crushes their expectations when they find out that Van Houten is
merely a drunkard and not some genius who can answer their questions.
They leave the house in utter disappointment and decide to locate Anne Frank’s house, for a quick tour.
The next day, Augustus reveals his dark secret, that cancer has returned, and spread throughout the body – the situation is dire.
Augustus takes the role of a grenade, and his charm instantly fades away, but Hazel disagrees and says that he will always be the charismatic one.
He feels vulnerable and weak to take action. Hazel starts to call him Gus and expresses her endless love towards him. Augustus health declines with the speed of light, and he arranges
a pre-funeral just for Isaac and Hazel to share their experiences with him.
Hazel says that her love will never go away, and not even death is strong enough to keep them separated. Augustus shares from the bottom of his heart that there’s nothing in this world
that he would want to have in exchange for the days they spent together.
Eight days later, Augustus passes away, and what shocks Hazel the most, is the arrival of Van Houten at the funeral. Van Houten says to Hazel that they’ve been exchanging letters with
Augustus, ever since they two met, and he demanded him to attend his funeral to see Hazel.
A few days after Augustus’ burial, Hazel once more bumps into Van Houten. He abstractly reveals Anna’s fate, and the actual meaning of the novel – which is to “bury the hatchet” with
death, not to oppose it.
Hazel is not that interested in it and finds out about the sequel of “An Imperial Affliction” that Augustus has been writing in her honor.
Hazel is now aware of Augustus’ intentions and what he did. In fact, he sent all the necessary pages to Van Houten, for him to compose the story to pay tribute to Hazel.
Lidewij brings pressure to Van Houten to read all these pages and design the eulogy. It all ends in a highly unusual fashion, whereby Hazel learns Augustus’ words.
His last words were,
This world will hurt you, one way or the other, but you have a choice to prevent or allow such a thing.
According to him, having a choice can make a difference in all aspects and Hazel agrees to.
