A review by kyarabereading
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

People give John Green a lot of $#!+ but I genuinely think he's a great author and TFIOS is proof of that. This book is funny, sad, and incredibly insightful. The characters remain loveable and realistic all the way through - even when you read a line that leaves you thinking "no teenager today would speak like a walking thesaurus but ok." The plot is one of those where not much happens, which is part of what makes it feel realistic. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but personally, I like books like that. And finally, I think this book has a great message. It gives the reader a lot to ponder when it comes to life and death and the fear of being forgotten and all that jazz. Green is great about inserting these little philosophical thoughts and conversations into his books - the sorts of things that we tend to obsess over, especially as we get older - and making them more digestible. It is interesting to read TFIOS through that lens, but also, I honestly think it makes this book that much more heartbreaking. 

If there's one thing I wish Green had done differently, it's
remove that part when Hazel and Augustus kissed in the Anne Frank House and everyone clapped. Every time I read it, I get the worst secondhand embarrassment. If I had a time machine, the first thing I would do is go back in time and prevent Green from writing that part, I'm so serious.
 

Anyway, I wanted to share a not-so-fun-fact from Mr. John Green himself. Apparently,
Hazel died about a year after Augustus. Isn't that sad as hell?
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