Sunday 15 September 2013

Recently read: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green


"Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love."


Quite a while ago now, my sister Willow gave me this book and told me I had to read it. I read the back, and I was instantly put off. My eyes start to well up over the tiniest thing, and my view lately has been 'I'm not going to make myself feel sad'. This is partly down to a film I wanted to watch for absolutely ages, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I don't want to ruin it for anyone or put you off, but it was honestly for me one of the worst films I have ever seen. I bawled my eyes out and the conclusion of the film (if you can call it that) just wasn't worth it. It felt like it never went anywhere. Add to this the fact that I lost my dad through cancer, and someone I recently knew and called a friend, and you can understand my hesitation...

A few weeks ago, I picked this book up when Mark was playing on Xbox one night and then I just couldn't put it down. I cared for the characters. I still care for the characters now I've finished the book! I'm not going to lie, a few tears escaped. But it wasn't horrendous at all. It was heroic, hopeful and witty. It's full of a certain sort of humour that draws you in and gives you an intimacy with the characters and their feelings, a closeness to the characters I've never felt before in a book.

The book, the characters and their story give you an insight into terminal diseases. It gives an insight to how the sufferers may be feeling, and it definitely opens your eyes to a few things. Me and my family have felt the devastating impact of losing someone through terminal cancer, and I think this book really does give an insight as to how those left behind feel. The impact of love and loss. But it isn't a depressing story, it's a courageous and honest battle of (and sometimes between) two young people in love.

If you've been thinking about reading it, you honestly should! I can truthfully say it is one of the best books I have ever read, for entirely different reasons to any I have read before. Have you already read The Fault In Our Stars? What did you think of it?

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12 comments:

  1. I knew you would love it! I told you it wasn't depressing, not how you'd think it to be :-) now do you see why it's my favourite!? - Willow x x

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  2. I promise to return to this review when I finish reading it - currently halfway through :)

    Tori
    xx

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  3. I read and loved TFIOS a little while back and I completely agree, it's a hopeful book. You know, life doesn't stop with Augustus' death and even leading up to that, there's still so much humour and so much life to all the characters!
    As for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, I haven't seen the movie but I read the book and I did enjoy it. I haven't heard much about the movie, but just for its worth reading just for its literary value :)

    Hayfa
    londonloafers.blogspot.com

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  4. this has been on my to-read list for far too long, time to purchase!

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  5. This is one of my favourite books!! So glad you liked it :) And actually this post is inspiring altogether as I love to read full stop and have thought about blogging about it.. maybe I will now ;) xx

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  6. I'm going to download this as I've heard a lot of amazing reviews, I think I was only put off because, like you, I thought it would be too sad. John Green seems to be very well liked though! Everyone seems to be very inspired by this and 'Looking for Alaska' also. I'm glad you enjoyed the book lovely! <3 xxx

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  7. One of my friends recommended this to me too & I did exactly the same as you - read the back & went 'no, don't think so'... I'm an incredibly emotional person, but I really hate overly soppy movies & books that pile on all the tricks to make you cry & then don't seem worth it. It seemed like one of those. Definitely going to reconsider now though :)

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  8. I finally got around to reading this a few weeks ago and I'd finished it within two days. A great read x

    duggydimples.blogspot.co.uk

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  9. It sounds like such an emotional book. I'm a bit apprehensive for the same resons as you really, I know that it will upset me so I put off reading sad books. But this does sound like a great book, more of a celebration of life than a sad one. I'm intrigued now :)

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  10. What most people call depressing I call beautiful. You know?

    /Avy

    http://mymotherfuckedmickjagger.blogspot.com

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  11. i was intrigued about this book because of its dutch connection, and i'd heard it was good and that it was worth a read but i still haven't got round to actually checking it out. i'm definitely going to make more of an effort to find a copy now though, it's been a long time since i read a book where i cared about the characters x

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  12. I've never heard of it before, I'll be sure to pick it up now, after such a glowing review :) I need to read more, seriously. I'm online for like, 23 hours a day, and it's doing my brain no favours :( lol xx

    http://thepersephonecomplex.blogspot.co.uk/

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Thanks for your lovely comments! I try to reply to them all :) x