The very first book on my to-read list for this summer was
non-other than “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green.
(Spoiler Alert…yup I’m serious...can be a little lengthy though)
To start of with this review, this book was something
different. It encompassed around the life of cancer-survivors which was pretty
new for me to read. It gave me a new picture of life and made me feel really
blessed to be fully healthy from head to toe.
The lead in this novel was a girl named Hazel Grace. Before I move on,
this book was the first book I read written by John Green from the perspective
of a girl. In other words, I thought the lead was going to be a boy. However,
it was a “she” and Mr. Green really worked out his best to establish the
emotions of Hazel Grace perfectly.
Now moving on with the review, the story circulates around
Hazel Grace, a cancer patient survivor with really weak lungs. Throughout the
story, I kept on thinking that it was going to end by the death of Haze, but
that wasn’t the case. During her support group sessions she meets the love of
her life , Augustus Waters who happens to be a cancer survivor himself. As the
events escalate, Hazel begins to fall in love with Augustus and she refuses that
mainly because she thinks that she will end up hurting him when she dies.
That’s what Mr. Green kept me thinking until their trip to Amsterdam where
Hazel travels there in hope to find the ending of her most favorite book “An
Imperial Affliction”. By the end of the trip she finds out that Augustus is the
one who’s actually dying. The way John Green perfectly defines the situations
and describes the events (despite the need of using medical terms) things were
made really simple and easy to understand. Although medicine was involved, the
readers can imagine what is going on as simple details described the scenes.
Like the way the room Hazel and her mother were staying in on their trip to
Amsterdam…the few details helped me have a perfect picture of the whole room
and actually it felt like I was there with them. The only thing that broke my
heart was the moment Gus (Augustus’s short name) told Hazel he was actually
dying. That was the twist in the whole novel…I’ve always thought Hazel was
going to be the one suffering until then. Everything in my head collapsed and I was
really interested to see how things go with Gus and how John Green will
formulate that Twist in events. Unexceptionally, events of Gus’s deteriorating
health were amazing and nicely stated. Gus’s courageous and bubbly character
made it a bit difficult because he had this fun personality and just showed to
everyone that although he was in pain he still had the will to live his
remaining days to the fullest. Of course that came to an end when the cancerous
cells got the best of him and there were parts where his weak side took
advantage. I don’t blame him actually, no one can…after holding on for so long
and trying to beat it..Gus was in pain and he couldn’t help but show he it; sometimes
you just can’t smile and laugh it out; sometimes you need to cry it out
instead.
The biggest shock was when Gus dies, big shock indeed…I was
like “ok…not expected so soon”. Actually, as before he dies, I had this idea
in mind for some reason…like what if John Green suddenly makes up a really rare
miracle and Gus lives? Wouldn’t that be awesome …avoiding the bittersweet
ending?
Anyways too long short…this was by far the best novel I read
so far…it was funny, addicting, and really sad. That’s the reason I began
reading it …the mixture of all 3 contradictory emotions…really worth it…totally
worth it.
A short wrap up for the character I really loved Isaac! He
was like a must have friend. Someone I would enjoy playing games with forever!
As for Gus, he definitely makes the list as well, his awesome lively character
makes it hard not to like him. Oh Hazel
Grace (can’t help but love it when Gus calls her) she’s a nice one, innocent
and really sweet! Last but not least, the douche-bag Peter Van Houten, the
writer of Hazel Grace’s ultimate favorite book. He was a pain to be honest; if
I were Hazel I would seriously beat the crap out of him till the very end!! How
can he be so mean? Hello PVH, I need the sequel right now as well! (AIA is a
fictional book. As in Mr. Green made it up :P )
To wrap this review, thank you John Green for this novel and
for playing with my innocent emotions, it was amazingly amazing!! Loved each
part of it!! I hope it gets adapted into a movie!!
Speaking of adaptation, I was talking to my friend a few
minutes ago who actually said the book was going to be adapted into a
movie…after finding out who was going to play the role of Augustus..nu-uh
better change that!! At least pick out someone with BLUE EYES! BLUE EYES! Let’s
just wait and see how the whole thing works out.
So…a recommended book…worth reading and worth the time!!
Perfect for the summer!
The end! ^^
(sorry for the spoilers…you should’ve known ..hehe)
~Park SongMi
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