…On The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Posted March 19, 2012 by Asheley in Uncategorized / 32 Comments

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Published by Dutton Books

Publish Date:  January 10, 2012 
313 Pages
Source:  Bought

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind. 
 -(summary from Goodreads.com)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green



My Thoughts:  Okay, everyone, I read The Fault in Our Stars. I don’t want to do my full-on regular write-up thing, but I do feel like I need to acknowledge that I have read it. So I’m just gonna say some things and we’ll see how it ends up. 

The first thing you need to know is this
I’m the biggest John Green fan ever

Okay, I’m most likely not the biggest JG fan ever – I’ll give that title to Nerdfighteria. But I can assure you that if the man wrote a book only to be published in chalk on the sidewalk in front of his house, I’d probably hurry there to read it before the rain washed it away. I love his books. For the longest time, his books were the only contemporary books I would read. I actually own all of his books and no other author holds that title in this house. Am I painting a picture here? Good. 

The second thing you need to know is this
I read one and only one review (kind of) of this book.
I was very selective and it took me forever. The reason is this: I didn’t want to know the plot. I’m really sorry to all of my blogger friends that wrote about this book, because I completely skipped what you wrote. But it is important to me to go into John Green books fresh. So…when I was finally ready to read this book, I picked carefully. And then I felt awful because the top of the blog post that I actually read said this: 

Note: I am not discussing the plot details of this book.”

Um, I felt like the biggest loser ever because I had skipped this one too. I actually went back and found it on the blog to read it…and saw this after telling the blogger when he posted it that I was skipping it. Felt awful.

Anyway, I read what Adam had to say here and even still I had to think about it for awhile. He addressed the emotional response of the book without addressing the plot, which was awesome. He also said that you won’t cry if you don’t want to. I DIDN’T WANT TO. Y’all know that. So I thought if I made myself tough, I could do it – I could make it through without crying. *rolls my eyes at myself*

The third thing you need to know is this
I went into this book without any knowledge of the plot

I already said that I like to go into John Green books fresh. Friends, you will have to excuse me because I am a very quirky Asheley. I don’t know why I am this way but I am with this author (and a million other things). So I never read a plot summary. I think I did read something somewhere that said this one would be a tearjerker, so I worked extra hard to keep away from it. And by ‘keep away from it’ I literally mean that I read NOTHING about this book. No reviews, no blog posts (except the one I mention above), nothing. I didn’t even watch John read the first chapters. When the book arrived at my house, I didn’t read the summary. I was serious about this thingWhen I opened the book to read it, I started it with a completely clean slate. 

The fourth thing you need to know is this
I freaked out when I saw the dedication and author’s note
Because then I KNEW
You guys, as soon as I saw who the book was dedicated to and then John’s note in the beginning, I had a mini-panic attack. Or some form of a panic attack. Because despite not knowing the plot and not actually starting the book, I know who Esther Earl is. And I understand what John was saying in his note. And I knew everyone talked about crying when they read it. I knew I was in for it. 

**********************************************

Here’s the thing. The Fault in Our Stars is a really great book. It’s so, so good. Honestly, John Green doesn’t write bad books. This one is just like all of his others: it’s classic John Green, the way John Green does it, and it’ll make you feel good once you’ve read it. I love the John Green standard. However…

…it took me about five hours to read the first 16 pages on the first day. That is not a joke. That was Asheley trying to come to terms with what she had gotten herself into. I read the rest of the book on the second day. I’ll remind you: I didn’t want to cry. I hate crying at books. BUT…I “teared up” on-and-off during the first 212 pages. Starting on page 213, I bawled like a baby until the book was finished, and then I cried for a little while after.**

After the first few pages, I went searching
for something cheerful to use as a bookmark.

The Fault in Our Stars is not my favorite John Green book – simply because I do not like to spend that much time crying. BUT that is ME, not YOU. I would not be surprised if it is a favorite for most people, but I won’t know until I read more of what other people have to say about it. I did love it, though, and I did love the characters, particularly Augustus and Isaac. 

Bottom line:  I think you guys should read it if you haven’t already. Most people aren’t as difficult as me. I think you’ll probably do just fine. 

I still have unresolved issues, y’all.

**THIS is why I do not like emotional contemporary YA books. I cannot control the crying once I get started. It’s awful. And it isn’t a pretty cry. It’s an ugly cry – you know the kind I’m talking about.

**********************************************  

~What IS my favorite John Green book, you ask? 
PAPER TOWNS, forever and always. 
random Capitalization, FTW.~

Have you read this book? Thoughts?
NO SPOILERS!! 
What is your favorite John Green book?

Am I the only person out there
absolutely petrified of bookish emotion?


Asheley

About Asheley

Asheley is a Southern girl. She loves Carolina blue skies, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and NC craft beer. She loves all things history but prefers books over everything.

You can find her somewhere in North Carolina, daydreaming about the ocean.

Find Asheley on Litsy @intothehallofbooks!

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32 responses to “…On The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

  1. Ems

    I decided awhile ago that I probably couldn't ever read this book. See, my brother went through brain cancer as a kid/teenager, and then thyroid cancer as an adult. It's a topic just a little too close to home for me (though he did live, and is fine-it's still a very emotional/hard subject for us).

    I may reconsider though.

    • Hmmm, very good point Ems. Think very hard about it, because it starts up on the first page and there are no breaks. There are plenty of funny parts and "awww" moments, but the cancer is always there. In terms of it being a very personal emotional/hard subject, there are probably triggers for that pretty much everywhere in the book. So think hard. It's a great book, but very tough.

  2. I have read zero John Green books. I know. I have a copy of this book sitting on my nightstand, though, and it is due in a week so I will be getting to it soon. I just hope I don't project too much on my patients when I read it — I am working in a cancer hospital right now!

    • Lorren! NO WAY! Sigh.

      My first thought for YOU is that this is a quick read and would be great for your train commute if you're still doing it…however, if you do the ugly cry like I do, the train commute might not be such a great idea. So, I don't know…

      I don't really know that it's the type of book where you'd do projecting unless you're working with younger people…

  3. It's probably a horrible thing that I've never read anything by John Green, but I plan to make this the first book of his that I do read. I've heard so much about him and this book specifically, that I'm now really wanting to read it ASAP to see what all the fuss is about.

  4. I haven't read a single book by John Green. *ducks to avoid flying objects* I KNOW! I can't believe it either. I clearly need to read it. I'm slightly concerned with your mention of all the crying, I love to be emotionally involved but my poor little heart can only take too much before it gives out. Still, this is clearly a must read:)

  5. I read this book two weeks ago, Asheley. My crying was epic, ugly, and massive. I tried to hold it in for as long as I could, but when I finally let it out I scared my husband.

    Words can't even describe how much I loved this book. Just. Wow.

    Tracey

  6. Your picture of The Fault in Our Stars looks like my copy of Looking for Alaska (which I just finished and reviewed a few days ago). I'm so happy I won a copy from you, because it ended up being a book I could write a paper on for my YA lit class. Thanks again for finally giving me that extra little bit of motivation I needed to sit down and read my first John Green book! 🙂

    • No robot here. Worry not; if there is cause to cry, I probably will. (I am still tough as nails, though.) Reading THIS one first last week made it easier to get through the OTHER ones I read. So, there's that. 😉

  7. I love this review Asheley! You have AMAZING POWERS OF WILL to go into this completely blind because EVERYONE and their brother was reading and reviewing this book (me included), how did you do it?? Did you sequester yourself like a jury does or something?? Anyway, it is awesome, I think the book he will most likely always be known for (but then again, the man is young, just imagine what else he could potentially write one day…) and I, like you, liked (or loved) it, but it's not my fave J.Green book either. That honor goes to An Abundance of Katherines:) Very nice review, chica!

  8. A fellow blogger sent me this book as a birthday present. It's daunting.. as it sits up on my shelf staring me down. I want to read it, but I'm scared I wont like it..

    I have never read a John Green book, and I have not come across someone who dislikes his work to date.. So I have that deep fear I'll be the only one.

    this stems back to my olden days, I would pick an author, if I liked that author, I would read EVERYTHING that author wrote. Then I would search for another. So I'm always nervous to try new writers. You would think that after reading dozens of new authors in the passed 3 years, I would be over this fear..

    Nope. not with John Green. There is just something so intimidating about his work.

    I will read it though! Soon I hope, when I get the chance. Especially since your such a big fan. 🙂

    LoL, at your pic and all the sticky notes. I have just learned how to hightlight on my kindle, I may be going a little crazy.

    • Don't let John Green intimidate you! You'll love him!

      This is the most emotional of his work, though, so it probably is the most intimidating of the lot. Maybe you should start with something more lighthearted? Paper Towns or Will Grayson, Will Grayson??

  9. I've been trying to keep away from most talk about this book because I figure there's a reason they didn't put the summary out in the public for so long.
    I actually enjoy crying every once in a while at fiction so I think I'll be picking this one up next time I'm in for a good sob.

    • Jasmine, it's really good for a sob – but the story is really good as well. If you've read John Green before, it's kind of classic John Green. But it's just – to me – his most emotional story to date. Having stayed away from the plot, I was just so SHOCKED at exactly HOW EMOTIONAL I became. I tried SO HARD to be tough. I just wasn't, I guess. HAHA!!

  10. I've been waiting to see a review of this one by you, Miss John Green lover. After reading An Abundance of Katherines, I've wanted more John Green in my life. I'm glad this one got your seal of approval!

    • "Miss John Green lover" –> LOVE IT. SO MUCH!!

      I loved an An Abundance of Katherines and I loved that you did too. I REALLY hope you'll pick up more of his work. Honestly, they're all good, so it doesn't matter where you go next in terms of his books. I just hope you continue to love them like you did Katherines!

  11. I do not know what to say.
    Or actually, I do, cause I have read this freaking heart-smasher and it made me feel exactly like how you felt while reading it.
    I cried even at the freaking beginning of this book.
    Just like you, I freaking howled starting page 210 or something like that. And I did cry LONG after turning the last page. My husband looked at me with pity and not much understanding and called me a total nut-job, and YES, I felt like a total nut-job, but it's all John Green's fault. It's The Fault In John Green's Writing!
    Holy CRAP – how am I even supposed to write my freaking review? Seriously, Ash, HOW?! Can I just copy and paste your review? Cause it covers my feelings 100%.
    I even have the exact same photo of my copy being filled with sticky notes – only mine are pink.
    (which btw kind of makes me thing you're like my long lost sister and I love you even more)

    I had no idea who Esther was until I read your review and looked her up on google. I had no idea about John being friends with her either, nor about his vlogs dedicated to her. How the hell did I miss that?! I don't know. But now I know, and it only makes me feel heavier. I think I'll go cry some more..

    Wonderful review, Asheley.
    I Love you.
    HUGE HUG

    • About Esther: I know, right? I teared up THERE. So going further was a guarantee that I'd be an awful sight when I was finished. And true to my suspicions, I was. Glad you looked her up – from watching the vlogbrothers (which I used to do very faithfully) I she means a lot to John and Hank. It definitely added "heavy" to the book.

      Thank you for stopping by Evie. I ALWAYS love it when you do. <3 xoxo

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