Let me start off by saying this- JOHN GREEN IS A GENIUS.
I don't even know how somebody can think of writing such an insightful novel.
Also, I've noticed that everyone has a different view on this book. Some may think that it has changed the way they look at things, whereas others might just say that it's another cliched romance story that is being over-hyped on the internet.
Everyone looks at this book from a different perspective. Here's mine-
This book has 20,13,840 votes on Goodreads, (which JUST KEEP increasing everyday), with an average rating of 4.3 stars. This book surely ought to be a work of art.Also,this is the first novel that I've read, which has been penned by John Green.
"That's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt."
The first thing that I love about this book are the QUOTES.
Yes, I know that it is a little difficult to understand them, but the very moment you do; you fall in love with the book.You fall in love with the characters.
John Green has used a very simple concept of a quintessential tragic love story : Both of them fall in love, either of them dies.The only plot twist is cancer- the only thing that made this book so special.This is a YA fiction, so naturally,it is based on a teenager( who suffers from thyroid cancer).
I had read some reviews before reading this book, so I pretty much knew what was going to happen in the end. As I read the book, I tried to keep denying the thought of Augustus's death, because as I commenced reading, my obsession with the characters kept increasing! Obviously, even though I was NOT AT ALL satisfied with the epilogue, I couldn't stop thinking about the book.
Here's why I didn't like the epilogue-
Hazel had once talked about her favorite book: An Imperial Affliction. She had also remarked that she really wanted to know what happened in the end, because the book ended in the middle of the sentence. A large part of the book is about how they go to Amsterdam to find the author of the book and ask him to explain what happens after the book ends.
How can I relate this with the ending of The Fault in our stars? Here's how-
The book ended with Hazel saying "I do, Augustus. I do." Obviously, you'll be able to understand what she means to say, once you read the entire chapter.
But NOTHING was specified after that. Your mind gets flooded with questions like " What happened to Hazel? Did she die too?" Maybe it was the author's trick. I guess he gave the readers a hint when he referred to An Imperial Affliction (which is not a real book, it turns out)
This is how it feels like after you complete reading page 313-
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Another thing that was a little irritating is the fact that they talk a lot like pretentious adults, which is kind of funny. But,that's not the point. I don't think they ever stopped! I don't believe that 16 year- olds like Hazel and Augustus would find it to be completely normal to talk in such a manner!
Anyway, those were the only two things that I didn't like in the ENTIRE BOOK.
Everything else was perfect, and even though I've read the book almost thrice, I don't seem to get bored of it! It is unbelievable how an author can understand the sentiments of teenagers suffering from cancer .On the cover page of the book, there is a comment by Markus Zusac. He said, "You laugh, you cry, and then you come back for more." I think the comment itself justifies how I feel about the book.
John Green has created a new aura of the art of reading. He writes in such a manner that you feel like your best friend is sitting in front of you and narrating a beautiful story.
The Fault In Our Stars has broken the hearts of millions of readers all around the world, but it surely has made itself a class apart from all other YA books.
Dedicated to Esther Earl, a girl who passed away after she was detected with Thyroid Cancer, this book has the power to be an inspiration and is one of the most beautiful books that I've ever read.
This book is surely to be added to my re-reading list.
Also, don't forget to watch the movie adaptation of this book, starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.
Until then, HAPPY READING!
-Mahek Ghelani :D
