Monday, January 16, 2012

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Book: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Genre: YA
Rating: *****
For: Fun
From: Pre-ordered and signed... from Amazon.

It was a very exciting week last week, finally getting this book that I'd heard so much about delivered to my front door. Yes, it was "signed" (read scribbled) but no, it was not Hanklerfished. No matter, I just wanted to read the book!

This is what mine looked like.

I ended up going a bit slowly, which meant instead of finishing that very day, I managed to make it last until the following evening, but could NOT put it down in those last few pages.

Beware, this book tackles a sad sad subject... kids with cancer. But does so in typical John Green style, using humor and clever creativity to get you, and the characters, through it. In this story, we meet Hazel who is suffering with a form of cancer that has rendered her lungs pretty much useless without a constant companion of an oxygen tank. She is content to stay at home and watch TV and withdraw from the world. Yet still, when she goes to a support group, quite unwillingly, she meets a guy, Augustus, who is in remission from another form of cancer (one that left him without a leg.) They form a fast friendship.

Together, they suffer through the ups (because there are cancer perks you know!) and downs of having cancer. They know what it's like, so they can tease each other about it. They can make fun of the whole thing and laugh. It's awesome.

But then stuff happens, and one of those things includes an author that Hazel has revered forever. Ah, revering an author. Sounds a little familiar, no? And I won't tell you what happens from there, but you'll be glued, I can guarantee it.

The best way I've found to describe John Green's books, including this one, is that they are intellectually funny. They make you use your brain. You will learn new words while reading. You will ponder and think... you will want to get out a red pencil and underline things. You will learn stuff and you will want to remember it and live by it. His books are also a bit gritty and edgy, somewhat, most often, a bit depressing too. Things are not rosy in his books.

In other words, you will feel all the range of emotions. And I can't think what better praise to give a book.

On the back of the book are several blurbs by different authors... one of them I just had to share:

"The Fault in Our Stars is John Green at his best. You laugh, you cry, and then you come back for more." -- Markus Zusak, bestselling and Printz Honor­ winning author of The Book Thief

Awesome.

Bottom line: I loved it.

Other Reviews:

Book Harbinger
Things Mean A Lot
Reading Rants






18 comments:

  1. I like your point that John makes you think, and that you will learn, while reading his books. I hadn't thought about him that way, but you're completely right.

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  2. Replies
    1. Where'd you buy it from? Oh man, I really hope it comes soon!

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  3. Well done. I haven't even attempted a review yet. I feel like my thoughts are still simmering...

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    Replies
    1. This review doesn't do it justice at all. :(

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  4. You know, I have seen a lot of publicity for this book but I didn't actually know what it was about. Now that I know it is about kids with cancer, I am even more intrigued, since I work with them in the hospital. And Zusak's commendation definitely doesn't hurt. Thanks for the review, Suey! This one is going to the top of my priority list.

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    1. Awesome! Yeah, if you work at hospital with cancer kids, you will truly be moved by this one.

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  5. K, I know you were nervous about writing this review and I think you should know you did a lovely job! I can feel what you felt and am now thinking I better get my hands on this one quick!

    Love the Markus blurb. ;)

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  6. Oh good! Yes, hopefully you'll be able to read it soon!

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  7. Nice review! I finished this one on Friday and haven't even come up with what I want to say about it. Other than that I loved it. I definitely agree about the range of emotions!

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  8. Mind- and emotion-engaging - well said! I love that you included the Zusak blurb.

    I'm totally with you - can Bridge of Clay come out this year? Pretty please...

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  9. I just posted my reviews on this one yesterday. I loved it too! I think your description of Green's books as "intellectually funny" is spot on.

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    Replies
    1. I will have to go and make sure I read your thoughts. Ah man, it's so hard to describe his books!

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  10. I pulled a cheap-o and preordered it from Chapters, but went for the free shipping. To get that I added another book, but it was preordered for May. Now, usually, chapters will send a book as it is available, regardless of ohter pre-orders on the order, so I took a chance they'd send it to me when it was released, and not in May when the other book becomes available. I think they'll wait a bit, just to teach me a lesson, but I may not get it until May!

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    1. Seriously? Ugh, I hope not! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

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