The Fault in Our Stars - Book review

I had wanted to read 'The Fault in Our Stars' for a while, after several recommendations from friends. However, because of the intensity of reading at least four books a week (yes, 4) for my university course, it was virtually impossible to squeeze in a pleasure-read until the clock struck summer. As soon as uni drew to a close, I delved in and read Green's novel in about three days. It's safe to say, I became consumed by this fabulous text and it was certainly hard to leave when I finally reached the last page. 

For me, the book was enthralling; it transformed a bleak, unpleasant situation into 

something perfect, by providing a new outlook on cancer victims and how their disease is a disease only. The cancer is portrayed in the novel so that one does not see disease as a personality trait that defines a person's life as it is now and when they disappear. The novel explores an inspiring protagonist (Hazel Grace Lancaster) who is dealt a bad hand in life.

 Hazel is diagnosed with cancer and even worse, it is terminal - she is a 'grenade', and yet she finds love. She even experiences happiness that a normal life may not have ever given her - the quote 'everything happens for a reason' forever running across your mind when reading

this epic tale. It is inspiring how Green's novel is moralistic; people should appreciate life whatever the circumstances and that no matter how bad a situation is, love can overcome it.

The portrayal of love that Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace share in the novel produces a mesmerising reality of the ill - that they may be dying / struggling to stay alive, but they are still living. Green captures the essence of hope and love that keeps a person alive , whilst capturing comedy and laughter amongst a subject that is usually bleak and heartbreaking. 

This is not to say that there are not heartbreaking moments within the novel, there certainly are, (I was tear-jerking through the majority of it) but it is done in such a way that although its sad, all the happiness beforehand seems worth the tears. I refuse to give too many hints in this review because there is nothing worse than a tell-all who completely destroys a novel by revealing its whole plot, and quite frankly this story is a gift that should be received only by ones own imagination.

 On an end note, I would highly recommend this book to 'infinity'. Not only because it inspirational, but for its light-hearted humor and modern love story. 

I hope this post encourages those who haven't read this beautiful book to read it, and those who have, to share their thoughts with me!

Katie x