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superduperfroggie 's review for:
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
Pretty average. As a diehard member of Nerdfighteria, I really wanted to love this book, but, to me, it was pretty forgettable.
I really did like some of the points made in this book, specifically, the necessity of being able to talk about death. It is inevitable for all of us, but we are often too afraid to look at it. We think, "Thank God it wasn't me," even though it will be us one day; sometimes, it is so difficult for us to conceptualize the idea of death applying to ourselves. I think being able to confront the reality of our mortal nature can play a major role in making us emotionally intelligent and empathetic people. I liked how Hazel was clear about knowing how it would end, even though, I know it is a part of her character, depression, and cancer.
I also liked her reflection on the notion of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," that some things can scar, permanently hurt, or lead us to our demise. Although some challenges improve our resilience and strength and make us appreciate the good, something so imminent and heavy (aka cancer, terminal disease) doesn't require our positivity. We must rely on one another to have hope and lend strength, which doesn't necessarily require that we have a (falsely) positive outlook on the future. I liked the simplicity of the example she used, along the lines of "how bad broccoli is has no bearing on how good chocolate tastes." Traumatic experiences don't have to happen for us to have perspective on the good in our lives.
And, yes, I think these two things were great themes that I am glad were included. However, the read itself I found a bit dry and flat. The two characters had a pretty typical relationship, which is the main plot. I don't mind that they're relationship wasn't anything super exciting, but the majority of the book is watching Augustus trying to "leave a mark" or "play the hero" as a model type of character while Hazel watches as a kind of "quirky black cat" type. I elaborate, but I kind of summed up the whole book in this short paragraph. There is little substance that has a purpose but stringing along the theme, which would be fine, but the reading itself feels shallow and almost predictable.
Anyway, that was a lot of words. TLDR; good themes, pretty dry, I loved the ending.
I really did like some of the points made in this book, specifically, the necessity of being able to talk about death. It is inevitable for all of us, but we are often too afraid to look at it. We think, "Thank God it wasn't me," even though it will be us one day; sometimes, it is so difficult for us to conceptualize the idea of death applying to ourselves. I think being able to confront the reality of our mortal nature can play a major role in making us emotionally intelligent and empathetic people. I liked how Hazel was clear about knowing how it would end, even though, I know it is a part of her character, depression, and cancer.
I also liked her reflection on the notion of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," that some things can scar, permanently hurt, or lead us to our demise. Although some challenges improve our resilience and strength and make us appreciate the good, something so imminent and heavy (aka cancer, terminal disease) doesn't require our positivity. We must rely on one another to have hope and lend strength, which doesn't necessarily require that we have a (falsely) positive outlook on the future. I liked the simplicity of the example she used, along the lines of "how bad broccoli is has no bearing on how good chocolate tastes." Traumatic experiences don't have to happen for us to have perspective on the good in our lives.
And, yes, I think these two things were great themes that I am glad were included. However, the read itself I found a bit dry and flat. The two characters had a pretty typical relationship, which is the main plot. I don't mind that they're relationship wasn't anything super exciting, but the majority of the book is watching Augustus trying to "leave a mark" or "play the hero" as a model type of character while Hazel watches as a kind of "quirky black cat" type. I elaborate, but I kind of summed up the whole book in this short paragraph. There is little substance that has a purpose but stringing along the theme, which would be fine, but the reading itself feels shallow and almost predictable.
Anyway, that was a lot of words. TLDR; good themes, pretty dry, I loved the ending.