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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I almost feel a little bad giving this book such a low rating given the subject matter, but I really didn't care for it much. I found most of the characters, especially Hazel and Augustus, to be irritating and pretentious. I actually wanted to roll my eyes at some of the dialogue. The author tries way too hard to be witty, profound, and moving. Obviously, this worked for other people based on all the glowing reviews, but I just did not buy it.
Here's my John Green disclaimer to start this off: I like John Green as a person (as much as I know of him). His videos and posts online are entertaining and I like how philanthropic he is. I just have yet to enjoy him as an author.
And the review:
I just cannot get on board with this book.
I read the whole thing, I gave it an honest effort. But I found that I had no developing concern for either of the characters (an important element in a book like this) and I didn't feel as though the author was helping me care about them. I'm a crier (seriously, I cry over commercials sometimes) and I did not shed a single tear while reading this book. I just didn't feel invested enough in these flat characters to care.
And the review:
I just cannot get on board with this book.
I read the whole thing, I gave it an honest effort. But I found that I had no developing concern for either of the characters (an important element in a book like this) and I didn't feel as though the author was helping me care about them. I'm a crier (seriously, I cry over commercials sometimes) and I did not shed a single tear while reading this book. I just didn't feel invested enough in these flat characters to care.
Finally a rival for my love of Looking for Alaska. The fault in our stars is a gripping story, a must read!
this broke me. i really liked it tho, it was a fast read and the relationship was cute
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Charmingly wonderful. I can see why it draws comparisons to The Perks of Being a Wallflower—Augustus reminded me a lot of Patrick as played by Ezra Miller—but as a book, this was better in many ways. It's a quick and entertaining read with young love at its heart. You'd have to be cold-blooded not to root for them. I'm still laughing about Hazel's suggested headline for the classified ad to give away her childhood swing set: "Lonely, Vaguely Pedophilic Swing Set Seeks the Butts of Children."
The movie version (of course) comes out in June so read it now before they (probably) ruin it.
The movie version (of course) comes out in June so read it now before they (probably) ruin it.
Now that The Fault in Our Stars has been released for about a year, I was actually number 1 in the queue for the first available copy of 56 books in my library system. And now, having read it, I understand why it took so long for me to get my hands on it.
The self-aware young cancer patients kind of ripped my heart out with their gallows humor, reflections on the legacy you leave behind after death, and existential questions. Maybe I was reading it too soon after the death of a family member and my own emotions were unusually involved but I found this to be a perfect bitter life-affirming and heart-breaking novel. At the end I was crying and laughing as one does when someone dies and the world continues to exist in all its absurdity and wonder.
The self-aware young cancer patients kind of ripped my heart out with their gallows humor, reflections on the legacy you leave behind after death, and existential questions. Maybe I was reading it too soon after the death of a family member and my own emotions were unusually involved but I found this to be a perfect bitter life-affirming and heart-breaking novel. At the end I was crying and laughing as one does when someone dies and the world continues to exist in all its absurdity and wonder.
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Don't get me wrong, I love John Green's books, but this one felt a little underwhelming.
This entire book felt a little stereotypical and almost boring (except for the first and last few chapters). I mean, yes, it did obviously make me cry, but throughout the entire book, we knew it was coming.
I'm giving it 4 starts because it was still beautifully written, but I don't think I would read it again.
This entire book felt a little stereotypical and almost boring (except for the first and last few chapters). I mean, yes, it did obviously make me cry, but throughout the entire book, we knew it was coming.
I'm giving it 4 starts because it was still beautifully written, but I don't think I would read it again.