So, I had to follow the trend of the rest of the US (especially the female population between ages 12-35) in reading the novel by John Green: The Fault in Our Stars.

It was pretty good, a little sappy, but overall well-written, had some witty dialogue components, and the climax was a bit surprising. I’m just curious that if they [the film industry] did not release the film, if the novel would have gotten the hype that it did? It has been compared to The Notebook and the other major Romance films of our age, but in my opinion the book was dull.

I read a piece in the Washington Post by the sister that the character “Hazel” was based on, and from her perspective the work is an homage to her sister. Perfectly valid, and was well-suited for that. However, I think the novel’s sort of “pizzazz,” stopped there.

As with my previous book review, I will go through what I thought were positive aspects of the novel. So, clearly, I have already compared this novel with the one written by Nicholas Sparks. But, the novelty behind this work was how it wasn’t as sappy as The Notebook or even more so, A Walk to Remember. The personalities of the characters gave them a tangibility that I have never read before in a novel. Moreover, the likability and real qualities that a teenager would possess in our society today was evident and further exacerbated the realness (for lack of a better term) of these characters. Another aspect that I really enjoyed in this novel was that the overall story was not engulfed by the two main characters, Augustus and Hazel. It was very much supported by the supporting characters, really delving into how an illness takes its toll on family relationships and friendships. Between Hazel’s parents, Augustus’ parents, and Augustus’ friend, Isaac, who becomes blind in the plot, the story is surrounded by people trying to combat the ultimate end of their loved ones all the while fighting off the reality that one day they will not be in their lives. Again, these characters gave the story a tangibility and real-life quality that I have yet to read in any book thus far (and I’ve read a few).

On the other side of the coin, the realness to this story is a bit disheartening, and here we come to the negatives. I don’t know about the general population of book-readers, but when I delve into a book, I use it as a sort of escapism. I want to escape my crazy work schedule, and the monotony of going into the lab for a bit of R&R in another time, world, or just the life of someone else. For how much I enjoyed the tangibility of the characters, I disliked the real life instances they made me aware of. Moreover, you can’t help but feel sympathy for these teenagers who will never experience life, college, love, or anything that comes with a long lifespan. Not exactly my way of enjoying a lovely book after a long day of work. Also, DO NOT READ PASSED this point if you do not want me to spoil the story:

I think the author really went overboard with his plot-line of the Dutch author, Van Houten. I get the general theme and the reasoning why Green chose that route for the plot, but really, how much more depressing does a plot need to get? Two terminally ill teenagers fly all the way across the world to see him and Green writes him to be a complete A$$. Then follows that with killing off the main character Augustus. Was Green’s thematic statement here: Life isn’t Fair? I think any person who lives knows it isn’t. Moreover, I think the depression of the end of the novel really superseded any of the good times that Hazel and Augustus had together. I’m interested in the comments from others that have read this book with respect to the last 1/3 of the novel. Did you find it necessary to be so negative? I felt like Green tried to redeem himself with Van Houten’s attempt at reconciliation, but really it was a measly attempt and frankly way too late for me as the reader.

Overall, I believe this novel has good qualities, yet I think the author definitely over-killed it on the negatives. I guess I have a heart of stone and didn’t cry during any of the scenes. Perhaps I will cry during the movie. But, I came to a place where I just thought: wow, is there not already enough negativity in this book, we need more? I also think no parent with a terminally ill child should read it. The reality with death does not need to be reminded. Instead spend your time with loved ones, if anything, that is the real lesson of this novel.