book review // the fault in our stars by john green

Author: John Green

Author website: johngreenbooks.com

Genre: Young Adult

Published in: 2012

Publisher: A Penguin Random House Company

Pages: 313

Version: Paperback

Type: Standalone

Age Group: 15+

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.

I picked up The Fault In Our Stars at my local Sam's Club when my mom was taking a little bit longer than expected to get groceries. I knew that there was a lot of hype about the book and that I had been invited to go and watch the movie several times with friends (I always read the book first, so I declined as I hadn't read it yet), so I expected good things from the book. And, in part, I wasn't mistaken. John Green is a phenomenal writer with words that flow from the page and never look even the slightest out of place. His style is so unique, and, now that I've read his book, I can already tell that the YA fiction world has been changed forever. It isn't like I think YA will completely change and life as we know it will stop, but I think YA authors definitely have expectations to live up to after John Green's most popular book was published.

That being said, content-wise it was one of the most depressive books I have ever read. I mean, it deals with adolescent cancer and that isn't anything to joke about. Obviously it wasn't going to be a typical happy-go-lucky, everyone-gets-a-happy-ending type novel, and I knew that going into it. But honestly, this novel just shows you the depravity of man and life without Jesus. Hazel and Gus have nothing to live for (their going to soon die anyways, right?) and it is shown through their conversations about life after death (Hazel doesn't believe in it and Gus believes in not God but a Something).

To live without hope, to continue day after day with the thought of death... I honestly cannot even imagine. But I do know that the Lord gives hope to all, and I have never wanted to share the Gospel more than while reading that book (and to fictional characters!).

I do not think I would recommend this novel to anyone, though. It is an excellently written novel and the story is amazing, but there was too much language and sex-talk for my taste. I thought the novel could have done well without it, but maybe the author thought that teens wouldn't read it without the added dirt.

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Sex & Nudity

There are several talks about sex or private body parts. Hazel and Gus discuss Gus's virginity and how he has no chance of "being lucky" due to the fact that he only has one real leg. Gus and Hazel make out in Anne Frank's home and then go back to their hotel and have sex. There are many  references to sex throughout the novel.

Violence & Gore

Gus, Hazel, Isaac play a violent video game. Gus vomits on himself near the end of the book.

Profanity

There is a lot of profanity throughout this book. Uses of da**, he**, bit**, bull****, sh**, bast***. A few uses of replacements for the f-word. There are uses of "rude" words such as pi**. Several uses of taking the Lord's name in vain. Name-calling is prominent in this book.

Alcohol, Drugs, & Smoking

Gus and Hazel consume alcohol underage. Gus almost always has an unlit cigarette in his mouth and tells people it is because it represents him not allowing the thing that has the power to kill him to kill him. Medical drugs are talked about.

Frightening & Intense Scenes

There are several intense scenes that depict Hazel and Gus in pain from cancer. 

Overall:

3 stars

Have you read The Fault In Our Stars before? 
What did you think?
What is your favorite YA novel?