Discussion for The Fault in Our Stars

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Start discussion here for The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

[Dee]

loved this book when I read it last year - I won't give any spoilers away, but the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because I kind of figured out early on how it was going to end

[[deleted user]]

Same for me, Dee, though I liked it and certainly found some emotional resonance with L'Engle's Time series.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

I figured out the ending early on, too. It was such a wonderfully written and engaging book that I had difficulty putting it down until I had finished it. I thought the character's were unusually precocious and introspective for their young ages, but I have seen this in real life in children and young adults with serious medical illnesses.

[Sarah]

I can't wait to get started. I have a feeling I will fly right through this book. My new hard back copy is just sitting on my book shelf waiting to be opened:-)

[Dee]

if you are like me you will Sarah - I took it to read at lunch one day while I was at work and ended up coming back late (and having to work late) because i couldn't put it down

[Sarah]

Wonderful Dee. That is exactly what I like to hear about a book.

[Connie]

This was one of the best books I read last year. I laughed and cried along with the characters, and stayed up half the night finishing it.

[Kendra]

I'm 40 percent through the book, and I love it! It's been awhile since I've read a book where the characters are so endearing. This is a super fast read, and so far I'd give it 5 stars!

[[deleted user]]

I've heard so much about this book, nothing bad.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

This book truly is fantastic. Do his other books compare? I own, but have not read, both Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns.

[Christine PNW]

Diane wrote: "This book truly is fantastic. Do his other books compare? I own, but have not read, both Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns."

Paper Towns is good, but it lacks the emotional resonance of TFIOS. You should read it though, because it has one of the most hilarious scenes ever.

[Dee]

I have An Abundance of Katherines on the pile ot read

[Christine PNW]

Dee wrote: "I have An Abundance of Katherines on the pile ot read"

Me, too!

[Sarah]

Just started. I think I will like the story but the writing doesn't seem anything amazing to me for all the rave reviews. I am enjoying some of the humor. And it is early yet. This book is very easy to read.

[Nikki]

I read this book just last month as a Group Read for another group. Here is what I thought when I finished it:

I felt unusually resistant to reading this book. I, like so many others, have said a final goodbye to loved ones taken too soon by the whims of this unforgiving disease. I wasn't sure I could face a story examining the life of such young sufferers of serious, indeed terminal, illness; I couldn't imagine what enjoyment (as that is, after all, why I read fiction) there was to be found between the covers of such a book. How wrong my innate assumptions have proved to be.

This story is a triumphant celebration of life in the face of death, a homily to the strength and determination of its characters to 'live their best life today' no matter what mountains they may have to climb tomorrow. The author explores with great sensitivity the impact of a terminal diagnosis on relationships and creates an achingly beautiful and unforgettable connection between Hazel and Augustus, as they struggle together to make sense of and come to terms with the hand they have been dealt.

There was plenty of laughter and some inevitable tears, but the greatest achievement of this work is in relegating cancer to a mere supporting role - there is no room for it centre stage here - that place belongs unquestionably to the bonds of love which live on beyond the farewells. For, whilst we hold on to our memories of those whose footprints we can no longer see in the sand, how can they ever truly leave us?

[Meran]

I'm planning on starting this one soon. I'm glad to see it's a good one; thanks you all of you for making your comments :D

[Nancy]

One of the best reads I have ever tried, given all the crying. Enjoyed every bit of it, especially the ending.

[Sarah]

Finished last night and I just don't get all the hype. I cried and I laughed. It was an easy read but difficult content matter. Especially difficult for me was being a parent and empathizing with any parent who has to lose a child.

[Meran]

I'm about a third through and already know that this is a wonderful, wonderful book. I think I'm in love with the author ;)

Will be reading more of his work, for sure!

[Sarah]

Since this is a discussion group about the book, I was wondering if anyone gained any insights around death and dying or living with a terminal diagnosis after reading the book?

[Sarah]

Also people talk about not giving away spoilers. I am confused. If someone could clarify. These books are being read for discussion. Is it innapropriate to discuss events and scenes and the story of the characters and what happens or is that what this forum is for- Discussing the book.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Sarah wrote: "Also people talk about not giving away spoilers. I am confused. If someone could clarify. These books are being read for discussion. Is it innapropriate to discuss events and scenes and the story o..."

Sarah, It is okay if you want to mention a spoiler about the book, just label it as such, so those people who aren't finished with the book can be warned.

[[deleted user]]

I thought this book was good. It wasn't spectacular and was kind of predictable but it was still pretty good. I've never known anyone with a terminal illness but I did have someone very close to me die so I could relate.

I like that they basically call out people who barely know the person who died and still go on to say how amazing they were and how much they'll miss them. (view spoiler)[Augustus talking about his ex and how she had actually been a bitch comes to mind. (hide spoiler)] In that respect, I liked the raw honesty of this book.

When I was at my friend's funeral our entire class showed up and I remembered being so angry because, even though it was a small class, some of them barely knew her or didn't like her. Over ten years later I'm not mad about anymore but I still think it was pointless. Of course, everyone's parents made them go though. It's just what you do.

At first Augustus sort of bugged me because he's always so optimistic. But I think everyone had their moments in this book where they just break down or have a small moment where they allow themselves to be sad or angry. Again, we tend to paint survivors as being brave and (sometimes) always looking on the bright side, never letting their negativity get the best of them. (A reason I also like the movie 50/50.)

Huh, it's kinda nice to put all my thoughts down like that. Until now I wasn't really sure if I really liked the book or not. I don't usually read YA but my roommate loved it and recommended it. I think if it hadn't been for the honesty I probably wouldn't have liked this book at all just because it seems to be a pretty standard YA novel.

[Kendra]

There's a big difference between the normal Young adult genre love story and this book. So far the characters are lovable, awkward, and honest. I'm glad half the story isn't about how lovesick one is over the other. Instead, this is a story about love and life and dying. It's simple, but written to be appealing to teens adults alike.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Just an fyi, to find the instructions to hide a spoiler:

Go to the "(some html is ok)" link on the top right hand side of the comment box.

Put the word "spoiler" inside of carets (these: < and >). At the end of your spoiler, do the same thing, but add a / before the word "spoiler".

[Claire]

Aw, I read this on the 25th of February, so close enough to join in ;)

I really enjoyed the way that such a terrible subject that is usually spoken about in awed hushed tones becomes part of the humour and lightheartedness. It made me think of the Joss Whedon style of funny quick oneliners - of which I always approve. I ended up not reviewing it yet as I was uncertain what to say, but I gave it 5 stars. As I recall I even went to finish it in my bedroom on my own as my 8 year old was nattering away asking for things and I wanted to be able to just enjoy it - and I read it in one day as well, which is pretty rare. Mind you, it was also 2 weeks since I stopped smoking so very much a 'keeping my mind busy' thing - and it worked very well! (I'm now at 5 weeks, so it must have worked well!).

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Claire wrote: "Aw, I read this on the 25th of February, so close enough to join in ;)

I really enjoyed the way that such a terrible subject that is usually spoken about in awed hushed tones becomes part of the h..."

I love Joss Whedon! Congrats on your 5 weeks of being smoking-free! You've made it through the toughest part!

[Sarah]

I think part of the reason I was able to read this book so quickly is not because for me it was so good but because it was easy to read. Some books I read are such beautiful writing or so dense that things need time to marinate. Maybe that is why I was dissapointed with this book. Dying and dealing with death is so profound and this book didn't seem authentic to me. It didn't seem to capture deep insights or enlighten me and I think that was an expectation I was having because of what the book was about. I guess I was dissapointed that someone who was dying and had already come so close to death before didn't have more of a connection with the afterlife, God, or some sort of spirituality. I found that actually very sad.

[Tessa]

I read this book a couple of month ago. And I didn't like it at all. John Green's writing was good. The book was an easy read. The Story was tragic and emotional. I laughed and I cried. Thats what this stories do to you. It is tragic to see young people die. But I didn't like how the charcters handled such a difficult situation. Maybe, it was because for me, it hit home to much. But I think, the characters were too calm, too perfect. Always funny, always something witty and clever to say. I experienced it different. That makes it difficult.

[Suzanne]

Diane wrote: "This book truly is fantastic. Do his other books compare? I own, but have not read, both Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns."

I absolutely loved Looking for Alaska!! I gave it to my niece for Christmas and she loved it as well. We had a good discussion about the book.

[Suzanne]

I'm listening to The Fault in Our Stars in my car and am probably 1/3 of the way done. I am very much enjoying the book. There are some LOL moments - I always wonder if other drivers think I'm weird when they see me laughing in the car by myself. :)

I've heard enough about the book to know that (view spoiler)[someone dies - I just don't know if it's going to be Hazel or Augustus. I'm already sad!! (hide spoiler)].

[Sera]

I listened to this book on audio. The reader was excellent, and overall, I thought that the story was good. For some reason, I wasn't overwhelmed by it, but I would recommend it to others.

[Shani]

I follow john and his brother thank on their you tube blogs which are hysterical if u haven't watched them yet, and for me the magic was seeing the author talk about something so deeply personal. I have read other books with an even greater gut-wrench factor but I haven't read a book where this type of content is dealt with in this way. as a younger reader plus first hand experience of seeing my friends deal with hospital worthy illnesses for lack of a better word i was excited to the the obvious first hand experience that the author has with the way that young people deal with all the terrible stuffing thrown in their way. i found it to live up to high expectations and his other books are on my to read list