Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton Books

Publication Date: January 10, 2012

Format: Hardcover, Barnes & Noble Collector's Edition

Source: Purchased

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.

My Review

Okay... I'm going to warn you that my review of this book is very critical. I did not enjoy this book, but I would appreciate that you respect my opinion. If you really loved this book and might get offended by a negative review, please feel free to stop reading. I won't mind. I didn't know if I actually wanted to publish my review of this book on my blog, but I have decided to publish it.

When I first decided that I wanted to read this book, it was because the synopsis was interesting. A lot of people were talking about it too. And not just the people on Goodreads. I literally heard about this book all the time. Then I started reading, and I realized that the kind of cancer that Hazel originally had is the kind I am most likely to get. It intrigued me enough to keep reading. I mean why not, right? I kept thinking that maybe I could learn something about it in case it were to happen to me.

Unfortunately, that was where my interest in the book stopped. The Fault in Our Stars was very predictable. I pretty much knew what was going to happen as soon as a new character was introduced. The only thing that really surprised me was the characterization of Caroline. Other than that, I really don't know. I couldn't stand it.

I really thought it would be this great book because I have heard and read many great things about it, but I just don't think it's that great. So many people told me to read it, and I wanted to smack them in the head with the book upon completing it. 

It was so easy to read that it was almost boring. Actually, I think it was boring, even the short chapters, which I feel are just included to speed along the plot. I read this book so slow because of how boring it is, and I am not a slow reader. That is one reason why it was not an enjoyable read for me.

Augustus and Hazel are two characters who angered me. They were overly annoying. I've met a lot of teens, and not one of them talks like that. I can't even imagine someone with cancer, especially a teenager with cancer, speaking so beautifully all of the time. Don't get me wrong... some of what they said was awesome, but it wasn't realistic.

Also, I was quite offended by how Green romanticized cancer. I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose, but that's how it comes off to me. I've actually seen and heard kids wish that they had cancer because of this book. I'm sorry, but we can't live in a world where people want cancer because cancer is not the kind of disease that one should wish on themselves.

I understand that the book is not supposed to be a cancer book. I guess it is a book about living with cancer. If you ask me, Green failed. I just felt like it was another book about a kid with cancer. It made me angry to see cancer presented this way because I've seen quite a few of my brother and sister's friends die of childhood cancer and this book was not a realistic depiction of the suffering I've seen.

I honestly just don't understand all of the hype about the book. It seems like it gets bigger and bigger by the day. It's not going away. While I'm sure people will say that it's an amazing book, it's definitely not the most amazing book on the planet. There are better realistic fiction books out there, and I'm only sorry that I didn't stop reading this book. I could have saved myself some time.