The Fault in Our Stars

    “Sometimes you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars is definitely one of those books. The best part of this quote is that it came right from the book that I felt it was describing. The Fault in Our Stars is a realistic fiction book that demonstrates the durability of love. The book seems to say, “Love will prevail through hardships and trials.” John Green uses a few swear words in this book and there is an implied sexual relationship. Just keep that in mind before reading this book.    
    Hazel Grace Lancaster is a 16 year-old struggling in the battle against cancer. She is the narrator to the story and you follow her through the book. Hazel was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, stage four, shen she was 13. She has managed to get three more years of her life through an experimental drug. Hazel goes to a teenage cancer support group, full of other teens with similar situations, and meets Augustus Waters. Augustus, "Gus," lost his right leg to Osreosarcoma, but is now in remission. They start to develop a relationship through countless texts, phone calls and the mutual obsessiveness over a book, An Imperial Affliction, by Peter Van Houten. Van Houten is very secretive and nobody knows much about him. As Hazel and Augustus become closer, Augustus reviles that he still has his wish from "The Genies." (The Genies are a fictional version of The Make a Wish Foundation.) Augustus wants to take Hazel to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten. Hazel sees herself as a grenade and she doesn't want to build a serious relationship with Augustus, therefore turning down his offer to go to Amsterdam  Eventually, Augustus convinces her to go. So, Hazel, Augustus, and Hazel's mom heat to the Netherlands for a 3 day trip, courtesy of The Genies. While there, Hazel and Augustus meet the disappointment named Peter Van Houten and Hazel gets news that will change the outcome of the story. I won't tell you what the news is... or anything else about the book. Read it to find out what happens!    
    This book was different. The story is told in a way I'd never read, because Hazel is telling the story and she has cancer. It just had a very different perspective. I guess i had nver thought about what it would be like to know you are dying. It would be so hard to build relationships, because like Hazel says, you're basically a grenade and everyone you love will be a casualty in your death. Something this book taught me was that I have a good life. I'm not dying or anything... So, that's nice. This book reminded me of The Secret Journal of Brett Colton, A Walk to Remember, and The Last Song. They all have cancer as a main topic, but they also have love as a topic. All of these books show that cancer can change the lives of everyone involved. They also show that cancer doesn't stop someone from living their lives to the fullest capacity. They're all very inspiring to people like me, who don't have cancer. I just hope that if I were put in tht situation, I would have the courage to fight and keep living my life.    
    The Fault in Our Stars was simply amazing. It taught me a lot, even if it is fiction. It also made me cry. There were a ton of great quotes and the characters were intelligent, even though they are teenagers. Most of the time, when I read a book narrated by a teenager it's whiny. I can understnd why, teenagers are usually like that. It was just nice to have a book narrated by a somewhat sensible teen. I would give this book an A+. It made an undeniable impact in my life. It's a book that when you finish, you feel like the whole world should stop and everyone should pay a moment of respect. At least, I felt that way.