The Fault In Our Stars

Bibliography
Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars.
New York, Dutton Books, 2012. ISBN 978-0-525-47881-2

Plot Summary

I love a good love story! This is one that will live in the heart of readers. It did for me as I followed 2 17 year-olds who battled both emotional and physical issues. Hazel and Augustus and the two characters that make this story full of love and sadness come to life. The pair travel together to Amsterdam to seek answers from the author of Hazel’s favorite book, An Imperial Affliction. It is during the trip that Augustus shares some life-altering news.

Critical Analysis

The characters are unforgettable in this story. It is a moving and epic love story that will touch the hearts of young and old alike. Hazel and Augustus do not let their illness define them as people and their journey together is both humorous and sad. The story accurately captures the teenage voice and teenage readers can live through the characters as they begin to fall in love with each other. They both live life to the fullest with very supportive parents. The story is set in modern times and references pop culture television shows and movies.  The climax of the story is very difficult to take however it resolves with hope in the end. Hazel Grace was adamant about staying away emotionally from people because she knew she would die very soon and did not want to hurt them. She allows herself to be close with Augustus and in the end, learns that it was worth it because of the lessons she learned about life, the world, and herself.

At the end of the story, Augustus dies at 17 years old before Hazel. Augustus left an obituary for her that read:

What else? She is so beautiful. You don't get tired of looking at her. You never worry if she is smarter than you: You know she is. She is funny without ever being mean. I love her. I am so lucky to love her, Van Houten. You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, old man, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes hers. (25.76)

The themes in this story include family, cancer illness, love, and mortality. This story is written from Hazel's point of view which appropriately allows readers to understand Hazel and her emotions towards Augustus. This is a beautiful book full of real human emotion, laughter, and sadness that will leave you in awe.

Awards & Review Excerpts

Entertainment Weekly:  “The greatest romance story of this decade.”

TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012

TIME Magazine: “The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.”


Connections

Students can read the book and compare it to the film. What is the same and what is different from both?

Discuss and rewrite the scene with the author of An Imperial Affliction that left Hazel and Augustus confused.

Older students can debate how cancer changed the identity of the characters including Hazel and her parents.

For teens, is it more important to be like Augustus and want to achieve doing something big or heroic in life, or focus more on the present moments of life?