The Fault in Our Stars in Read by Theme

Jan 25, 2013 LL rated it liked it

Whew. Talk 'bout emotional manipulation.

I moderately enjoyed this book, but didn't have the same reaction to it as most people. Hazel and Augustus were not believable characters to me. That lack of believability completely undermined the story's emotional impact. The precocious teenager with the weirdly large vocabulary who struggles beautifully and articulately with existential dilemmas is an overly-relied upon trope in YA fiction. Their characterization lacked all subtlety and verisimilitude, ...more

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Dec 31, 2013 Athena Macmillan rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-fiction, thought-provoking, romance, made-into-movie, pleasantly-surprised, grab-the-tissues, excellent-ya-fiction, star-crossed-lovers, easy-read, emotional-jouney

It's strange to think that this was such an easy read when it was about such a difficult subject. I've read both positive and negative reviews about this book, some gushing over the impossibility of teenage love in the face of such tragic circumstances and how hope overcomes all odds; while others disparage the author for using cancer in order to capitalise on such an easy target market. I don't tend to agree with either camp.

I liked the book. On the surface it is an engaging and funny read, wit It's strange to think that this was such an easy read when it was about such a difficult subject. I've read both positive and negative reviews about this book, some gushing over the impossibility of teenage love in the face of such tragic circumstances and how hope overcomes all odds; while others disparage the author for using cancer in order to capitalise on such an easy target market. I don't tend to agree with either camp.

I liked the book. On the surface it is an engaging and funny read, with enough of an emotional punch to bring tears to your eyes. On a slightly deeper level it was an allegory on the limited time we have in this life, and how we don't have to be a star to matter deeply to other people. There could be an even deeper level as the author tries to take on the heady themes of life, existence and consciousness with Hazel and Augustus often talking about very philosophical ideas about their place in the world, but it tends to remain at fairly superficial level, which I suppose is ideal for the intended audience. So while I would have liked to see this theme explored a little more, I understand why it was left where it was.

I do have a couple of gripes. One being this particular quote:

“Look, let me just say it: He was hot. A nonhot boy stares at you relentlessly and it is, at best, awkward and, at worst, a form of assault. But a hot boy…well”

This wouldn't bother me so much if the importance placed on attractiveness weren't a recurring theme through out the book and one that seems so at odds with the other aspects of the characters' personalities that we get to learn. These are bright and empathetic teenagers. I don't know if Green was just trying to make them seem a little more 'normal', but it didn't really work for me.

Also, I love that Hazel is opinionated, but sometimes this borders on being selfish and snarky. It would border on being unlikable, but is just saved from that by her wittiness and the way she turns a phrase that makes her narration very conversational and personal.

The story does hook you in right from the beginning, and if I had my own copy rather than a borrowed one, it would be a book that I would happily read again from time to time, and still just might. ...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Harmony rated it it was amazing

This book was amazing! It made me laugh and cry. The humor used in this book is something not everyone can capture. The story itself was not an enjoyable subject, but the way Green portrayed the characters and storyline was unbelievable. This has become one of my favorite books. Five stars, no doubt.

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