The Fault in Our Stars
written by John Green
You have to be gentle when recommending a book. First explain the premise of the book, follow with a few unique things that set this book apart from the other blocks of paper, give an idea of the tone and writing style, and conclude with your personal thoughts. But the most important thing to remember is not to give away anything about the ending or even the second half of the book.
This book was almost spoiled for me because maybe the recommender didn't think the premise was depressing because this book is about seventeen-year-old Hazel, who has stage VI cancer. Hazel is very aware of her inevitable death, so even though she is able to live at home and even attend some classes she limits her social life. She considers herself like a grenade because if not many people are close with her less people will be hurt when she dies. She does attend a Support Group consisting of other cancer patients her age. She does befriend Isaac who has cancer in his remaining eye, but he is one of her only two friends until she meets Augustus, a healthier cancer patient. This book is more of a "romance" than The Heist. However the romance in this story does not overpower the theme and tone, at least not most of the time. Even though Hazel has to carry around an oxygen tank she and Augustus have a jaunty and quirky relationship that keeps a light humorous tone. This comic relief distracts and contributes to the book's theme of mortality. As the book goes on the concept of death, life, and afterlife are scrutinized through these two teens. Green doesn't just slap his opinions and philosophies into the readers face and rub it in like an apple pie. He reflects his themes onto the reader skillfully by having the reader watch two characters contemplate their own mortalities which eventually ends up in the reader putting themselves in their position and considering how their thoughts on death fit in. This happens slowly and with a fascinating effect. Yet with the focus of death comes with the focus of life and things worth living for, so this seemingly morbid theme is turned around into something gratifying and stunning. It is a magnetic read that will give you a great story while providing some reflection. This story may have been spoiled for me, but the impact was untouched.
