The Fault in Our Stars

Green, J. (2014). The fault in our stars. Penguin Books.  

Summary: Hazel Grace Lancaster is a sixteen year old girl who has been battling thyroid cancer for the past three years, and is struggling to come to terms with her impending death and the grief of her parents in the loss of their only child.  While at a support group meeting, she meets Augustus (Gus) Waters who is seventeen years old, a cancer survivor after the amputation of one leg.  They soon fall into a first-love relationship, but with a mature understanding of the necessity of making the most of every moment.  Hazel's favorite book is An Imperial Affliction written by Peter Van Houten after losing his young daughter to leukemia.  After reading the book, Gus is frustrated with the unconventional ending and contacts the author to arrange a meeting.  They both travel to Amsterdam for a disappointing meeting with the bitter, alcoholic Van Houten, but still are able to make the most of the trip with a romantic dinner, memorable trip to the Anne Frank House, and finally their first sexual encounter.  Upon their return home, Hazel discovers that Gus' cancer has returned, and he soon succumbs to the disease. A few weeks after the funeral, Hazel receives a letter Gus had sent to Van Houten professing his ever-lasting love for her.

Commentary: This book is written in first person narrative by Hazel as she looks back to when she first met Gus and their brief but powerful time together.  Even though the novel is sad, it also is uplifting to know two teenagers who were condemned to an early death find eternal love. The main characters, both Hazel and Augustus, have very strong, spiritual personalities and are dearly loved by their families and the readers. We learn their hopes and their fears, and look past their disabilities as they are falling in love.  It is also easy to empathize with their parents who are devastated by the loss of their beloved children, but know life will go on.  While this book may be written for a teenage audience, it has mass appeal to people of all ages in its message of undying love and making an impact on the lives of those around us.  The book reminds me of the beautiful quote by Alfred Tennyson "'Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all".

Connection:  This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl, Lori Earl, Wayne Earl and John Green